574 575 574. Ti. Claudius Ti.f. Ap.n. Nero. 79 BC. AR Serrate Denarius (20mm, 4.11 g, 7h). Rome mint. Diademed and draped bust of Diana right; quiver and bow terminating in stag’s head over shoulder / Victory driving galloping biga right, holding wreath, reins, and palm frond; A • xu below. Crawford 383/1; Sydenham 770a; Claudia 6; RBW 1411 var. (control number). Attractively toned. Good VF. ($300) 575. L. Farsuleius Mensor. 76 BC. AR Denarius (19.5mm, 3.92 g, 8h). Rome mint. Diademed and draped bust of Libertas right; pileus to left / Roma holding spear and reins in biga, assisting togate figure into chariot; iii below horses. Crawford 392/1b; Sydenham 789; Farsuleia 2; RBW 1431 var. (control number on rev.). Light iridescent toning. Near EF. Well centered reverse. ($750)
576. Cn. Lentulus. 76-75 BC. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.93 g, 2h). Spanish(?) mint. Diademed and draped bust of Genius Populi Romani right; scepter over shoulder / Scepter with wreath, globe, and rudder. Crawford 393/1a; Sydenham 752; Cornelia 54; RBW 1432. Lightly toned, minor striking weakness on reverse. EF. ($300) Ex Alan J. Harlan Collection (Triton XXII, 8 January 2019), lot 848; Cederlind BBS 118 (17 February 2000), lot 1411.
Magna Mater and Consort
577. M. Volteius M.f. 75 BC. AR Denarius (19mm, 4.01 g, 3h). Rome mint. Laureate, helmeted, and draped bust of Attis right; shield to left / Cybele driving biga of lions right; ÂQ above. Crawford 385/4; Sydenham 777; Volteia 4; FFC 1232 (this coin). Lovely old toning. Near EF. Well struck and centered. ($1500) Ex Alba Longa (Jose Fernandez Molina) Collection; Peus 360 (27 April 1999), lot 335; Triton III (30 November 1999), lot 908. The bust on the obverse has been variously identified as Attis, Liber, or Bellona. The reverse depiction of Cyble/Magna Mater in a chariot pulled by lions argues for the identification with Attis, in Greek mythology the eunuch consort of the great mother goddess. Cybele’s cult image was brought to Rome from Pessinus in Phrygia circa 204 BC, in response to the Sibylline Oracle’s prediction that Rome could only defeat Carthage by importing and adopting her statue and cult. Games in her honor were celebrated in 193 and became an annual event with the completion of her temple by Marcus Junius Brutus.
148