Lot 3640

Description

P. Fonteius P.f. Capito, silver denarius, issued 55 B.C., Rome Mint, 3.51 grams, C.429/1, S.900, BMC 3851, Sear Fonteia 17 (p.49), Obv. Bust of Mars to r. draped with trophy behind P. FONTEIVS. PF. CAPITO. III [VIR], Rev. MN(ligated) FONT. TR. MIL, above a warrior on horseback thrusting his spear at Gaulish enemy who is about to slay a third combatant who is unarmed, helmet and shield below on r.; another silver denarius, M. Furius L.f.Philus, issued 119 B.C., Rome Mint, 3.76 grams, C.281/1, S.529, BMC Italy 555, Sear Furia 18 (p.50), Obv. Laureate head of Janus with legend around M. FOVRI. L.F., Rev. Roma standing l. erecting a trophy, ROMA on r. PH(ligated) LI in exergue, dotted border; another silver denarius, M. Herennius, Issued 108-107 B.C., Rome Mint, 3.72 grams, C.308/1b, S.567a, BMC 1283 var., Sear Herennia 1a (p.52), Obv. Head of Piety to r. behind [PI]E TA(ligated) S, Rev. Amphinomus carrying his father to the r., L. HE(ligated) RENNI to l. downwards, to r. letter .T. Fine - nearly very fine, (39-41). (3)

The last coin as a type records the history of the brothers, Amphinomus and Anapias, of Catana, who, at the eruption of Mount Etna, saved the lives of their parents by carrying them to safety on their shoulders. The moneyer who was probably consul in 93 B.C., or his family no doubt had some connection with Sicily.