Lot 3606

Description

M. Herennius, silver denarius, issued 108-107 B.C., 3.98 grams, Rome Mint, Crawford 308/1a, Sydenham 567, B. Herennia 1, Not in BMC, Obv. Diademed head of Piety to r., PIE TA(ligated) S behind, in front horizontal S, Rev. One of the Catanaean brothers running to r. bearing his father Amphinomus on his shoulders, to l., downwards M. HE(ligated) RENNI. Toned, minor edge knocks and off centred obverse, otherwise nearly extremely fine, scarce, (1463).

Ex C.Pitchfork Collection and previously from the James Madison University Collection sold Stacks New York March 15, 1979 (lot 37).

The type records the history of the brothers and who saved the lives of their parents after Mt. Etna had erupted and had carried them on their shoulders to safety. The moneyer or his family might have had some connection with Sicily.