L. Cornelius Sulla as Imperator, and L. Manlius Torquatus as Proquaestor (82 BC). AR denarius (19mm, 3.84 gm, 8h). NGC VF 5/5 - 3/5, bankers mark. Military mint traveling with Sulla in Italy. L•MANLI T-PROQ (T sideways), head of Roma right wearing pendant earring, pendant necklace and winged helmet decorated with griffin crest / L•SVLLA•IM, Triumphator (Sulla) in slow quadriga right, reins in left hand, caduceus in right; crowned by Victory flying left above. Crawford 367/3. Sydenham 759. Manlia 7 and Cornelia 42. From the Bacchus Collection Although the reverse type and legend include Sulla's title and expected victory, Crawford proposes the use of Roma on the obverse is perhaps intended to proclaim an identification of Sulla's cause with that of the res publica and his intention to restore it. This issue is Sulla's largest, which may be significant for the type over the issue minted in 84-83 BC with Venus on the obverse and trophies on the reverse. Also, the caduceus on the reverse may indicate vict his march on Rome was eminent, but not yet secured, and Sulla only began using the title of Felix at the end of 82 BC.

HID09801242017

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