Citing the Lex Papiria of 91 BC

Sale: CNG 79, Lot: 881. Estimate $200.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 17 September 2008.  Sold For $320. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Unknown. Circa 91 BC. Æ As (13.09 g, 8h). Semuncial standard. Rome mint. Laureate head of bearded Janus; I (mark of value) above / Prow of galley right; L • P • D • A• P above. Crawford 338/1 (citing 10 specimens in Paris); Sydenham 678. VF, green patina, rough surfaces.

From Collection V.C.

The letters L • P • D • A• P probably stand for Lege Papiria de assis pondere, an indication that this coin was struck on a new weight standard of half an ounce instead of an ounce, as authorized by the Lex Papiria of 91 BC.