Q. Cassius Longinus (ca. 55 BC). AR denarius (19mm, 3.81 gm, 8h). NGC XF, brushed, flan flaw. Rome. Q•CASSIVS-LIBERT, head of Libertas right, wearing pendant earring and beaded necklace; dotted border / Curule chair within temple of Vesta, shown as a circular edifice with a domed roof surmounted by statue of Vesta standing left, decorated with griffin heads on dome base, supported by four columns; urn in left field, tablet inscribed A C (Absolvo Condomno) in right field, dotted border. Crawford 428/2. Sydenham 918. Cassia 8. Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Electronic Auction 430 (10 October 2018), lot 323; Dr. Lawrence D. Sporty Collection (Classical Numismatic Group, Auction 103, 14 September 2016), lot 644; Classical Numismatic Group, Inventory 810465 (April 2008) The moneyer's ancestor, L. Cassius Longinus Ravilla, proposed a new method of jury voting, a form of 'secret ballot', in 137 BC. Known as the Lex Cassia Tabellaria, it provided that in most court cases tried by jury, jurors could mark their verdict on a small tablet and drop it into a basket to be counted by a court official. The exception was cases of treason, where a voice vote or show of hands was required. The practice also extended to voting on laws proposed in the Comitia Tributa and Concilium Plebis, the people's assemblies. Combined with the obverse, this reverse alludes to the Trial of the Vestal Virgins of 113 which set up the special commission, presided over by Ravilla, of two of the three delinquent Virgins - Licinia and Marcia (Aemilia was found guilty during the first trial in 115 BC).

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