Just received my one successful winning in the recent CNG 114 sale: Obverse: Head of Ceres r.; C.MEMMIVS.CF downward on l.; Reverse: Trophy; naked kneeling captive with hands tied behind back beneath trophy; on l. IMPERATOR downward; C.MEMMIUS downward on r; 19mm, 3.98 gm., 6h; Crawford 427/1; Provenance: CNG 114, Lot 608 I was impressed with the coin’s delicate obverse style in the rendering of Ceres. I like old grey toning on silver coins. The toning on this example is highly desirable, much more so in-hand. The issue is also frequently found unevenly struck, obscuring some details. This coin appears to be fully struck. The moneyer is believed to be Gaius Memmius, who a few years later was Tribune of the Plebs in 54 BC. There is plenty of mystery about the moneyer and the historical significance of this issue. According to Crawford, the reverse recalls a victory in Bythinia and Pontus c. 58 BC of Memmius’ uncle (C. Memmius, Praetor 58, husband of Sulla’s daughter Fausta). Michael Harlan makes an argument that the event was more probably an earlier victory, probably in Spain by the moneyer’s father (C. Memmius, Quaestor 76, husband of Pompeia, sister of Pompey) or grandfather (C. Memmius, Praetor 103), and suggests some characteristics of the trophy point to a Spanish victory. The Memmius conferment as Imperator is not corroborated by prosopographic evidence, but a fragment of an inscription in stone was found in Cadiz Spain reading CMEMMIO / IMPERATO, lending credence to Harlan’s suggestion of a Spanish operation. Gaius Memmius also issued a second series of denarii with obverse Quirinus and reverse Ceres. I do not have an example of this coin.
You gotta have some brass cajones to marry Sulla's daughter!!! Or have little recourse Wonderful and dazzling coin from a breaking point in the republic from which it would never recover. I actually bid you up for a while (sorry) as the shield sure looks Macedonian in style. Here's his kinky father in-law: L. Sulla and L. Manlius Torquatus #5,. 1#/#4 "'#= :' B? "! F
Fugio1, Great score ! Both sides are stunning. I like the wheat ear diadem Ceres is wearing & the long drop earring .
@Ryro no problem. One of the things I like about auctions is the price you pay to win is usually just slightly more than what someone else is willing to pay. Nice L. Manlius. Tangible history.
Yours is a very, very nice Memmius, @Fugio1 ! Just a great Denarius! Congrats on the beautiful capture.,
@Carthago thanks for adding the other type. I was hoping someone would. Yours is a perfect example in every way.
