Lot 3609

Description

C. Sulpicius C.f. Galba, silver denarius, issued 106 B.C., Rome Mint, 3.87 grams, C.312/1, S.572, BMC 1323, Sear Sulpicia 1 (p.90), Obv. Laureate heads of the Dei Penates, cojoined to the l. D.P.P. before, border of dots, Rev. Two soldiers swearing oath over sow, letter R above, C. SV LP(ligated) ICI. C. F, in exergue, border of dots, serrated edge. Toned, extremely fine, scarce, (64).

The moneyer is doubtless a son of C. Sulpicius Galba a moneyer about 120 B.C. and exiled in 109 B.C., and a brother of Ser. Sulpicius C.f.Galba on the consilium of Pompeius Strabo at Asculum. The coin alludes to Lavinium, the birthplace of this gens, where Aeneas is said to have brought the Penates from Troy.