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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Mikey Zee, post: 2524843, member: 72818&quot;]After enjoying several recent threads of this deity and the coins associated with her, I had to score one myself. When I noticed one with the above &#039;title&#039; description, I expected to see an obverse/reverse of docile lions at her side or perhaps even Cybele driving a chariot with lion-power. Instead this Roman Republic denarius has her on the obverse with the &#039;fore-part&#039; of a lion (the head)----a hand-puppet depiction--- seemingly sprouting from what would be her right shoulder. Of course, the reverse is a cool representation of the curule chair with an even cooler scorpion LOL. A bit pricey, perhaps, for this relatively high-grade and well centered strike with sharp details, but I couldn&#039;t accept losing this bid after several others passed me by.</p><p><br /></p><p>This coin was struck during the time of the 1st Triumvirate of Caesar, Pompey and Crassus. The &#039;Plaetorii...&quot; is the family name of this plebeian gens, apparently ardent supporters of the &#039;Republican&#039; cause, whom are noted for holding office during the Republic from the 2nd century BC to the civil wars of the 40&#039;s BC...&quot; (WIKIPEDIA)</p><p><br /></p><p>For those unfamiliar with Cybele, it seems she was introduced to Rome during the 2nd Punic War (218-201 BC) and was ...&quot; the mistress of wild nature (symbolized by her constant companion the lion), a healer, a goddess of fertility, and the protectress in time of war....&quot; (Encyclopaedia Britannica)</p><p><br /></p><p>The &#039;curule chair&#039; was used by the highest government dignitaries, made like a camp-stool with curved legs and ordinarily made of ivory and subsequently became a sign of office for all higher magistrates or officials. (British Museum)</p><p><br /></p><p>The scorpion is a &#039;control mark&#039; and other variations alternatively use a &#039;scepter&#039;, a &#039;palm branch&#039;.......</p><p><br /></p><p>AR Denarius of M. Plaetorius M f Cestianus, Rome mint 57 BC</p><p>CESTIANVS behind turreted and draped bust of Cybele,</p><p>forepart of a lion behind, globe below chin.</p><p>M PLAETORIVS AED CVR EX S C; Curule chair within wreath, scorpion in left field.</p><p>Crawford 409/2; Sydenham 408, Plaetoria 3.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]538775[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]538776[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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