Sale: CNG 76, Lot: 1245. Estimate $500.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 12 September 2007.  Sold For $500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

C. Coelius Caldus. 53 BC. AR Denarius (3.91 g, 1h). Rome mint. Bare head of the consul C. Coelius Caldus right; standard inscribed HIS behind; below chin, boar [atop standard] / Veiled figure left behind and inscribed table between two trophies. Crawford 437/2a; Sydenham 894; Coelia 7. Near EF, toned, traces of deposits on reverse.

From the Karl Sifferman Collection.

There are apparently two varieties of the standard below the chin on the obverse of this issue. One version, as on this coin, has the standard upright, with the boar clearly placed atop the standard. The other version, as on the following coin, has the standard sideways, with the boar placed lower, partially covering the banner. Coins with the former variety usually do not have the standard visible, so it is possible that the symbol was modified to the latter version so that the standard would be clearly visible on the coins.