Historically Interesting Type

276, Lot: 336. Estimate $200. Sold for $780. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

C. Servilius Vatia. Restored issue, 82-80 BC. AR Denarius (17mm, 3.82 g, 12h). Rome mint. Laureate head of Apollo right; B above lituus behind / Man (M. Servilius Pulex Geminus) on horseback rearing left, holding round shield inscribed M (Marcus) and spearing another man on horseback riding left, head right, holding round shield and raising sword. Crawford 370/1b; Sydenham 720; Servilia 7. VF, lightly toned. Scarce and interesting type.

The reverse type celebrates M. Servilius Pulex Geminus, who was elected augur in 211 BC (an office he held for some forty years) and consul in 202 BC. According to Plutarch, he received numerous wounds in twenty-three single combats, being victorious in all (Plutarch, Paulus Aemilius, xxxi).