L. Hostilius Saserna AR Denarius, 48 BC

L. Hostilius Saserna. Fourré Denarius (18-19 mm, 2.86 g), Rome, 48 BC.
Obv. Bearded male head to right, his hair straggling out behind him; cloak around neck and Gallic shield behind.
Rev. L HOSTILIVS / SASERN, Nude Gallic warrior, holding shield with his left hand and hurling spear with his right, standing left in a galloping biga being driven to right by a seated charioteer holding a whip.
Cf. Craw. 448/2; Syd. 952.

Fourré. Very fine.

The head on this famous and desirable coin has long been identified as that of Vercingetorix. This can not be proven but the head does have remarkably individualistic and naturalistic features, and it must surely represent an actual Gaulish captive seen by the die engraver.