Lot 4475

Description

P. Fonteius P.f. Capito, (55 B.C.), silver denarius, Rome Mint, (3.51 g), obv. bust of Mars to right 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 right, (S.392, C.429/1, BMC 3851, RSC Fonteia 17 [p.49]); another silver denarius, M. Furius L.f.Philus, (119 B.C.), Rome Mint, (3.76 g), obv. laureate head of Janus with legend around M. FOVRI. L.F., rev. Roma standing left erecting a trophy, ROMA on right PH(ligated) LI in exergue, dotted border, (S.156, C.281/1, BMC Italy 555, RSC Furia 18 [p.50]); another silver denarius, M. Herennius, (108-107 B.C.), Rome Mint, (3.72 g), obv. head of Piety to right behind [PI]E TA(ligated) S, rev. Amphinomus carrying his father to the right, L. HE(ligated) RENNI to left downwards, to right letter .T, (S.185, C.308/1b, BMC 1283, RSC Herennia 1a [p.52]). Fine - nearly very fine. (3)

Ex Dr V.J.A. Flynn Collection and previously from Noble Numismatics Sale 107 (lot 3640) and also coming from an old Hungarian collection.
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.