Nomos

Auction 11  –  9 October 2015

Nomos, Auction 11

Celtic, greek, roman, byzantine coins, lead seals and weights, and silver coi...

Fr, 09.10.2015, from 10:00 AM CEST
The auction is closed.

Description

L. Hostilius Saserna, 48 BC. Denarius (Silver, 18mm, 3.93 g 5), Rome. 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. Babelon (Hostilia) 2. Crawford 448/2a. Sydenham 952. An interesting and historical coin, very well centered, nicely toned and struck on a very broad flan. Two minor banker’s marks on neck, otherwise , good very fine.

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 54, 24 March 2010, 252.

The head on this famous coin has long been identified as that of Vercingetorix, the defeated Gallic leader who graced Caesar’s triumph in Rome. This can not be proven but the head does have remarkably individualistic and natural features, and it must surely represent an actual Gaulish captive seen by the die engraver.

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Bidding

Price realized 3'800 CHF
Starting price 3'000 CHF
Estimate 3'750 CHF
The auction is closed.
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