Roman Republic: C. Fundanius, AR Denarius, 101 BC, Sear 204, RRC 326/1, CRR 583, RSC Fundania 1 (3.81 g, Ex Prof. Dr. Hildebrecht Hommel and Kricheldorf, auction XVIII, 1968, lot 110) Note from Sear: A remarkable type commemorating Marius' joint triumph with Q. Lutatius Catulus in 101 BC. Crawford suggests that the young rider on the near horse may be Marius' 8-year-old son. Fundanius strikes as quaestor, though with no reference to senatorial authority for this issue. Obverse: Helmeted head of Roma right; control letter behind Reverse: Marius as triumphator in slow quadriga right, holding laurel-branch, child seated on near horse, Q (for quaestor) above, C FVNDAN in ex.
So cute with the little one riding with dad. Willing to bet that 8 year old would absolutely annihilate me
A fantastic coin. If, as Crawford suggests, the triumphator and child can be taken to represent Marius and his son, wouldn't that constitute a breach of the custom prohibiting the portrayal of living persons on coins (even on reverses), which Julius Caesar famously violated 55 years later? If I recall correctly, all the representations of Sulla on Republican reverses came after his death.
Well done, @Amit Vyas ... great denarius that captures a important piece of history. Here is my QUINARIUS that also celebrates Marius: Roman Republic Fundanius AR Quinarius 101 BCE Marius triumph Jupiter E control Victory captive carnyx Q Sear 205 Craw 326-2
@Amit Vyas......That's a very nice looking coin....I've still yet to break out into RR's but the more I see the more I like!
I understand these are supposed to be celebrating Marius' Victories: RR Anon AR Quinarius 81 BC Apollo MARIUS GAUL Victory S 305 Cr 373-1 RR Anon AR Quin 81 BC Apol MARIUS GAUL Vict var 2 i S 305 Cr 373-1b RR Lucilius Rufus 101 BCE Ar Den Roma Biga Marius Victories S 202 Cr 324-1
Yes. In the absence of a name, the attribution to Marius must remain uncertain. Perhaps the ambiguity was deliberate, given the custom. Sulla did appear on the reverse during his lifetime. Lucius Cornelius Sulla (Sulla the Dictator) and Lucius Manlius Torquatus, AR Denarius, Struck at a mint moving with Sulla in the East, 82 BC, Cr-367/5, Syd-757, RSC Manlia-4 Obverse: Roma wearing a winged helmet facing right; around, L. M(ANLI) PROQ Reverse: Sulla as triumphator advancing to right in horse drawn quadriga; holding branch and reigns. Above: Victory flying to the left in the act of crowning Sulla with a wreath; in exergue, SVLLA IM[P]
Thanks. Interesting. Of course, the identification of the figure with Sulla is also implicit, despite his name being on the reverse.
Sulla Triumph RR Manlius Torquatus L. Corn Sulla 82 BCE AR den 17mm 3.7g Mil mint w Sulla. Roma - Sulla triumphal quadriga vict wreath Cr 367-3 Syd 759 S 286
As far as I am aware, none of these possible lifetime representations are explicit before Julius Caesar. Does anyone disagree ? @Amit Vyas - nice coin. My example :
I don't think that's a child on the reverse. As @eparch's coin illustrates, I think it's a winged Victory, which would make much more sense in the historical context.
