★ The Villa Publica ★

P. Fonteius P. f. Capito AR Denarius. Rome, 55 BC. P•FONTEIVS•CAPITO•III•VIR•CONCORDIA, diademed, veiled and draped head of Concordia right / Villa Publica on the Campus Martius, T•DIDI on left, VIL•PVB on right, IMP• below. Crawford 429/2a; BMCRR 3856; RSC Fonteia 18 and Didia 1. 4.19g, 20mm, 10h.

Fleur De Coin; among the finest examples of the type offered at auction in the past 20 years.

Ex Bank Leu AG, Auction 30, 28 April 1982, lot 248.

The Villa Publica was a most ancient building, first constructed on the Field of Mars in 435 BC, and according to Livy it was there that the first census of the Roman people was held in the year of its completion. The Villa Publica served as the censors' office, and held their records, as well as serving as the place where foreign ambassadors were greeted, where victorious Roman generals waited to hear if they would be granted a triumph, and as a base for the levying of legions. At least two renovations of the structure were undertaken, in 194 and 34 BC.