As the coins purchased over the last few months finally arrive, my favorite of all of these came a few days ago. This is one of the two denarius issues struck under Sulla and having his name on the coin. This was by far, the largest of those two issues. Obv: Bust of Roma R.; PRO.Q behind; L.MANLI in front. Rev: Sulla in quadriga being crowned by victory above. L.SVLLA.IM[P] in exergue. RRC 367/5 4.00 gm. Early references suggest these coins were produced during Sulla's eastern campaigns c. 82 BC. Crawford in his paper on the coinages of Sulla, The Numismatic Chronicle and Journal of the Royal Numismatic Society Seventh Series, Vol. 4 (1964), suggests that this and the other first issue with his name, were not struck in the east but in Italy. Predominance of finds with this issue are those in Italy, notably Capranica (RRCH 253) and SANTA DOMENICA DI TROPEA (RRCH 256). These coins were probably produced shortly after Sulla landed in Brundisium from the east en route to his second march on Rome. Struck from relatively new dies on both obverse and reverse, with iridescent toning patterns in the interstices, the coin is really beautiful in hand.
Awesome Denarius, @Fugio1 . Nice find, congrats. Mine is not that purdy, but has most of the design elements: Roman Republic L. Manlius Torquatus and L. Cornelius Sulla. 82 BCE AR denarius (17 mm, 3.72 g, 12 h). Military mint moving with Sulla. Obv: L · MANLI before, PR[O · Q] behind, helmeted head of Roma right / Rev: L · SVLLA · IM in exergue, Sulla, togate, driving triumphal quadriga right, holding branch and reins; above, Victory flying left, crowning Sulla with wreath. Ref: Crawford 367/3; Sydenham 759; Manlia 7. Seller Comments: Nicely toned, light rub on cheek. Very fine. Ex: Triskeles
L CORNELIUS SULLA & L MALIUS ROMAN REPUBLIC; GENS CORNELIA AR Denarius OBVERSE: Helmeted head of Roma right, L MANLI PROQ REVERSE: Triumphator in quadriga right, crowned by Victory, L SVLLA IMP in ex. Rome 82 BC 3.9g, 17mm Cr367/5; Cornelia39
@Alegandron, reverse centering is very similar to my example. I wanted one with Sulla fully on flan. That the right horse head is missing is not an issue with me. Wow. The reverse has everything!
It looks pretty amazing in photos too! L. Manlius Torquatus, 82 BC, AR Denarius Obv: Helmeted head of Roma right, L. MANLI before, PRO.Q behind Rev: Sulla, being crowned by Victory, in quadriga right; L. SVLLA. IM[P] in exergue Ref: Crawford 367/5
Believed to be his Grandpappy. A little long in the tooth too... Pub. Sulla, Rome, 151 BC. AR Denarius (16mm, 3.53g) O: Helmeted head of Roma right, X behind. R: Victory, holding wreath and reins, driving galloping biga right, P. S(VL)A below, ROMA in exergue. Crawford 205/1; RBW 879; RSC Cornelia 1
How about an ANTI-Sulla! MARSIC CONFEDERATION: Marsic Confederation denarius 89 BCE Head of Italia- Italia seated shields victory Corfinium mint Oscan retro B 105 HN Italy 412a Sear 228 R
My Sulla with rainbow toning makes a nice bookend to @Fugio1 lovely toned coin: Rome, The Republic. L. Cornelius Sulla, 84-83 BCE. AR Denarius (3.88g; 21mm). Military Mint. Obverse: L·SVLLA; diademed head of Venus facing right; before, Cupid holding palm to left. Reverse: IMPER – ITERV; two trophies with jug and lituus between them. References: Crawford 359/2; Sydenham 761a; BMCRR East 3; Cornelia 30.
You have the more scarce denarius issue of Sulla. On my want list, but will be hard pressed to find one so nice. Really fantastic coin in all respects
SUPER coin! As a harder-to-find coin, the great devices, the toning, and a lot of other factors on several different levels. Congrats capturing that one! I covet.