Sale: CNG 79, Lot: 947. Estimate $200.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 17 September 2008.  Sold For $200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

M. Plaetorius M.f. Cestianus. 57 BC. AR Denarius (3.58 g, 6h). Rome mint. Helmeted and draped bust right, with attributes of Isis, Minerva, Apollo, Diana, and Victory; cornucopia below chin / Eagle standing right on thunderbolt with wings spread, head left. Crawford 409/1; Sydenham 809; Plaetoria 4. Good VF, struck using a worn obverse die, minor roughness, a small delamination on reverse, a shallow edge test cut.

The traditional identification of the female bust as Vacuna is impossible, writes Crawford, citing the work of J.P. Morel, MEFR 1962, 25-29. An identification as Isis, according to the work of A. Alföldi, SM 1954, 30-31, is perhaps correct. In short, the identification of the obverse type is uncertain, as the female has attributes of Isis, Minerva, Apollo, Diana, and Victory.