Very Rare Ludi Apollonares

CNG 102, Lot: 788. Estimate $7500. Sold for $6000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

M. Volteius M.f. 75 BC. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.71 g, 6h). Rome mint. Laureate head of Apollo right / Tripod-lebes with serpent coiled around central leg; S·C D·T across field, M·VOLTEI M·F in exergue. Crawford 385/5; Sydenham 778; Volteia 5. Near EF, toned. Nice metal. Very rare.

From the Volteia Collection.

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.