As usual, the devices on this denarius caught my eye, both obverse and reverse previously missing from my collection. It's a bit worn, but well within my level of tolerance and the evidence of circulation actually makes it a bit more appealing to me---not to mention discounted somewhat compared to a 'less traveled' example and within my remaining monthly budget. For those less familiar with this type, I offer the following pulled from a former Ira Goldberg auction: "The types on this denarius recall the virtue of the moneyers grandfather, Manius Aquillius, who diligently quelled the slave revolt in Sicily (104-101 BC) that had defied three earlier governors. In 104 BC, the consul Marius took command in Gaul to subdue the Cimbri and Teutones, and the Senate granted him permission to request troops from Rome's allies so that he might pursue the war. When he asked Nikomedes of Bithynia for troops, the king responded that he had none to spare as most of his men had been seized by Roman tax farmers as slaves. The Senate then decreed that no citizen of allied states could be held in slavery to serve in Rome's provinces, and instructed the praetors to see to their liberation.In Sicily, the Roman governor P. Licinius Nerva freed about 800 slaves, but then a group of influential landowners and wealthy elites convinced the governor to desist. The slaves who had not yet been freed stole away from the farms in open revolt. Licinius initially pursued these slaves and inflicted a serious defeat upon them, but when he failed to follow up his victory this emboldened other slaves in the province and the revolt quickly escalated. Soon there was a slave army of 40,000 ravaging the province, inflicting serious defeats on Roman forces sent to pursue them. All this changed in 101 BC with the arrival of the moneyers ancestor, the governor Manius Aquillius. He quickly wore down the slave army, reducing their strongholds to rubble and killing many. He defeated their leader in single combat in a notable battle, although he himself suffered a serious head wound. After recovering, he quickly mopped up further resistance and pacified the province". ROMAN REPUBLIC. Mn. Aquillius Mn. f. Mn.n., 71 BC. AR Denarius (3.90 gm). Helmeted bust of Virtus / Consul Manius Aquillius raising Sicilia (restoring the glory of Sicily). Cr.401/1. Aquillia.2. As always, feel free to 'pile on'
Awsome write-up, cool history, and perfect coin! Well done @Mikey Zee ! Traveling now and do not have access to my coin files.
Both great coins. It's interesting that both Mike's and Bing's coins have different hair styles. I guess it's artistic interpretation of the engraver.
Nice ... wow, Mikey-Z, congrats on scoring that awesome AR-RR winner (cool reverse) Sadly, I don't have an example from that money-guy
Thanks everyone for the kind responses The more I look at that coin, the more I can imagine all the events stated in the 'write-up'. As always, one action resulting in so many reactions and often entirely unforeseen.
I have a couple serrateds to pile on your thread! However, I do NOT have a cool Aquillas like yours! RR L Licinius Crassus Cn Domitius Ahenobarbus 118 BCE NARBO Serrated Attic Helmet Gallic Biga Sear 158 Craw 282/3 RR C Mamilius 82 BCE AR Den Serrate Mercury caduceus Ulysses Dog Argos Sear 282 Craw 362/1
