★ A charming imitation of a Tarpeia denarius ★

LOWER DANUBE. Geto-Dacians. 1st century BC. 'Denarius' (Silver, 18 mm, 4.30 g, 1 h), possibly imitating a Roman Republican denarius of C. Fonteius (114-113 BC) and L. Titurius Sabinus (89 BC). Laureate, janiform head of the Dioscuri; around, pseudo-legend. Rev. Tarpeia facing, buried to her waist in shields, with raised hands she tries to thrust off two soldiers who are about to cast their shields at her; to right, pseudo-legend. Cf. Crawford 290/1 (for possible prototype of obverse) and 344/2 (for prototype of reverse). Extremely rare. A lovely example with a charming rendering of Tarpeia. Areas of weakness, otherwise, nearly very fine.

From the L.I.M.B. Collection of Celtic coins, ex Artemide E-Auction 66E, 9 March 2024, 333.