Rarest Issue from the “Ludi Apollonares” Series
276, Lot: 337. Estimate $500. Sold for $1100. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee. |
|
M. Volteius M.f. 75 BC. AR Denarius (17mm, 3.76 g). Rome mint. Laureate head of Apollo right / Tripod-lebes, center leg entwined by serpent. Crawford 385/5; Sydenham 778; Volteia 5. Good Fine, lightly toned, small test cut on edge. Very rare.
The issue of M. Volteius for the Ludi Apollonares seems to have been notably smaller than for the other festivals. Crawford notes the obverse/reverse die count for the issues, and finds between 60 and 80 for 385/1, /3 and /4, 20 and 22 for 385/2, and only 8 and 7 for 385/5.