Lot 3648

Description

Mn. Cordius Rufus, silver denarius, Issued 46 B.C., 3.88 grams, Rome Mint, Crawford 463/1b, Sydenham 976c, B. Cordia 1, BMC 4039, Obv. Cojoined heads of the Dioscuri to r. surmounted by star, with the pilei decorated with a fillet, around RVFVS III VIR ted to l., dotted border, Rev. Venus Verticordia standing to l., holding scales and sceptre, Cupid on her shoulders, to r. downwards MN(ligated) CORDIVS, dotted border. Broad flan, toned very fine and very scarce, (1457).

Ex C. Pitchfork Collection and previously from Dolphin Coins, November 16, 1986.

The moneyer was of Tuscan origin, and was a praetor as noted from a Tusculan inscription. The Venus Vertcordia, the goddess who 'turns the hearts of men', to whom a temple was specially dedicated at Rome after the corruptions of the Vestal Virgins. It may also be a punning allusion to the Cordia gens and the family of Julius Caesar who claimed descent from Venus.