C. Valerius C.f. L.n. Flaccus. Silver Denarius (3.82 g), 82 BC. Massilia. Draped bust of Victory right; behind, tripod. Reverse: C V(AL) FLA on left, IMPERAT on right, EX S C across inner field, legionary eagle between standard marked H for hastati on left and another marked P for principe on right. Crawford 365/1a; Sydenham 747a; Valeria 12. Beautiful old cabinet tone, and quite lovely. Needle sharp details. Mint State. Estimated Value $2,000 - UP
C. Valerius Flaccus was Sulla's proconsul in Gaul, and struck this issue of denarii in Massilia in order to finance the ongoing revolt of Sertorius in Spain. The legionary eagle and standards that appears here on the reverse is the first instance that it appeared on coins as the main design element. Subsequently, of course, it was used as the principal design often on Roman coinage, most notably, perhaps, on the legionary denarii of Mark Antony struck to finance his unsuccessful war against Octavian in 32-31 BC.
Ex Roma XIX (26 March 2020), 706.