Lot 3631

Description

C. Poblicius Q.f., silver denarius, issued 80 B.C., Rome Mint, 3.78 grams, C.380/1, S.768, BMC 2914, Sear Poblicia 9 (p.76), Obv. Draped bust of Roma to r. two feathers on helmet, behind ROMA, T above, Rev. Hercules to l. strangling the Nemean lion, club at his feet, bow and arrows in case on left, T above, C. POBLICIVS. Q.F, with serrated edge, (illustrated); another silver denarius, M. Nonius Sufenas, issued 59 B.C., Rome Mint, 3.77 grams, C.421/1, S.885, BMC 3820, Sear Nonia 1 (p.69), Obv. Head of Saturn to r. harpa and conical stone behind SVFENAS before and S.C behind, Rev. Roma seated to l. being crowned by Victory who stands behind her, SEX. NONI in exergue, PR.L.V.P.F (Praetor ludos Victoriae primus fecit),around in field.; another silver denarius, C. Norbanus, issued 83 B.C., Rome Mint, 3.87 grams, C.357/1b, S.739, Cf.BMC 2782, Sear Norbana 2 (p.69), Obv. Head diademed of Venus to r. C. NORBANVS below, to l. number LXXII, Rev. Ear of corn, fasces and caducceus, has been mounted on the reverse; another silver denarius, L. Papius, issued 79 B.C., Rome Mint, 3.89 grams, C.384/1, S.773, BMC 3039, Sear Papia 1 (p.71), Obv. Head of Juno Sospita to r. wearing goat's skin, and a symbol a flesh-hook behind, Rev. Gryphon prancing to r., below symbol of ladle with a long handle (BMC types 63 p.371), in exergue L. PAPI, serrated edge and damage on reverse. First coin very fine or better, other coins fine or better with faults as noted above, (54-57). (4)

Comments on the second coin as follows; Sextus Nonius, possibly the moneyer's father, in 81 B.C., inaugurated the 'Ludi Victoriae Sullanae' in honour of Sulla's victory at the Colline gate. The abbreviated legend on the reverse records this first celebration. The use of Saturn on the obverse is uncertain. The last coin commemorates the worship of Juno Sospita which was introduced into Rome from Lanuvium, the birthplace of the Papia gens. She was the protecting genius of women, accompanying them through life from birth to death. The symbols on the obverse and reverse are related with some 235 pairs associated together. They are mostly symbolic of the various trade guilds.