I'm moving stateside this summer and working on documenting my nicer acquisitions before my life is seriously disrupted. This is a beauty I picked up in a nice shop in Budapest a couple years ago. Lucius Caesius, c.112-111 BC AR Denarius, Rome Obv. Draped bust of Vejovis to left, seen from behind, hurling thunderbolt with his right hand; behind, monogram of ROMA. Rev. L•CÆSI Rev. Two Lares seated right, each holding long staff in his left hand; between them, a dog; above, head of Vulcan to left with tongs behind. Crawford 298/1, Sear 175, Sydenham 564 3.89g / 20mm The style really drew me in at the time (as did the hound since my wife was buying it for me and we have a thing for dogs). This coin was also minted during the Consulship of Drusus and Caesoninus, when Jugurtha began his war with Rome by laying siege to Cirta and set that stage for the rise of Marius and Sulla over the next few years. Wondering how different Rome may have been if the two heroes of the war with Jugurtha hadn't had the chance to make their marks and rise to power.
