★ A tessera from the Trau collection showing Silvanus, the Roman deity of woodlands and forests ★

UNCERTAIN. Tessera (Lead, 21 mm, 4.18 g, 1 h), Hermeros and Silvanus, circa 1st-2nd century. HERMEROTIS Altar. Rev. SILV-ANI Silvanus standing left, holding sickle in his right hand and pedum in his left. J. Scholz: Römische Bleitesserae, in: Numismatische Zeitschrift 25 (1893) p. 21 and plate II, no. 34 ( this tessera ). Rostovtsev 1426 ( this tessera cited ). Overbeck, Milan 207. Turcan 192. Minor surface roughness and cracks, otherwise, very fine.

From the Collection of F. Trau, 1881-1931 (hors catalogue).

Silvanus was the Roman deity of woodlands and forests. He does not appear on Roman coinage, but he was quite beloved as a device on Roman lead tesserae.