171, Lot: 244. Estimate $500. Sold for $552. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

L. Hostilius Saserna. 48 BC. AR Denarius (17mm, 3.76 g). Head of Vercingetorix right, Gallic shield behind / Naked Gallic warrior, brandishing shield and spear, standing left in biga being driven right by second Gaul holding whip. Crawford 448/2a; CRI 18; Sydenham 952; Hostilia 2. Near VF, toned, porous. Scarce.

From the Karl Sifferman Collection.

The obverse portrait has sometimes been identified as the famous chief of the Arverni, Vercingetorix, whom Julius Caesar captured in 52 BC in Alesia. It is hard to imagine anyone placing such a dramatic portrait of a defeated foe on their coinage. but it seem clear from surviving sources of the period that the Romans had a healthy respect for the Gauls as honorable warriors.