Lot 3639

Description

L. Marcius Philippus, silver denarius, issued 56 B.C., Rome Mint, 3.98 grams, C.425/1, S.919, BMC 3890, Sear Marcia 28 (p.64), Obv. Diademed head of Ancus Marcius to r. with lituus behind head, ANCVS below lituus, Rev. Equestrian statue to r. on an arcade of five arches with a flower below the horses, in arches A G V A [MAR(ligated)], to l. [PH]ILIPPVS (illustrated); another silver denarius, C. Marius C.f. Capito, Issued 81 B.C., Rome Mint, 3.75 grams, C.378/1a, S.744, Cf.BMC 2844, Sear Maria 7 (p.65), Obv. Draped bust of Ceres to r., head bound with corn wreath, around C. MARI.C.F.CAPIT.I, Rev. Husbandman to l. ploughing with yoke of oxen, above number I, Bankers marks on obverse, with serrated edge; another silver denarius, Ti. Minucius C.f. Augurinus, Issued 134 B.C., Rome Mint, 3.75 grams, C.243/1, S.494, BMC 1005, Sear Minucia 1 (p.67), Obv. Helmeted head of Roma to r. * behind, border of dots, Rev. RO MA above divided by Ionic column on which is a statue, at sides two togate figures, TI. MINVCI. C.[F] to l., and AVGVRINI on the r. mostly off the field, border of dots; another silver Denarius, C. Naevius Balbus Issued 79 B.C., Rome Mint, 3.87 grams, C.382/1b, S.769b, BMC 2966, Sear Naevia 6 (68), Obv. Diademed head of Venus to r., S.C. behind, Rev. Victory in triga to r. number CLXXV above, in exergue C. N AE(ligated). B AL(ligated) B, with serrated edge. Mostly fine and toned, (49, 51-53). (4)

The first coin notes that the Marcia gens claimed descent from Ancus Marcius, the fourth king of Rome, who is said to have been the first to bring water to Rome by means of an aqueduct. The equestrian statue is that of Q.Marcius Rex, who when Praetor in 144 B.C., was commissioned by the Senate to repair the old aqueducts and to build one which would give a supply of water to the Capitol. This aqueduct is known as the AQUA MARCIA.