Lot 4463

Description

Mn. Aquillius, Mn.f. Mn.n., (71 B.C.), silver denarius, Rome mint, (3.88 g), obv. helmeted bust of Virtus to right VIRTVS [III VIR], rev. The Consul Man. Aquillius raising Sicilia MN(ligated) AQVII MN(ligated) F MN(ligated), SICIL in exergue, toned with obverse slightly off centre, (S.336, C.401/1, BMC 3364-9, RSC Aquillia 2 [p.16]). Serrated edge, toned, off centred obverse otherwise nearly extremely fine, scarce.

Ex Dr V.J.A. Flynn Collection and previously from Noble Numismatics Sale 107 (lot 3635) and also coming from an old Hungarian collection.
The grandfather of this moneyer, consul in 101 B.C. with C. Marius, was responsible for crushing the slave revolt in Sicily during which he personally killed the rebel leader Athenion. The episode is graphically commemorated by this attractive type.