383, Lot: 476. Estimate $500. Sold for $600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

C. Memmius C.f. 56 BC. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.64 g, 6h). Rome mint. Head of Ceres right, wearing wreath of grain ears / Naked captive, his hands tied behind, kneeling right, at foot of trophy of arms with a Greek shield. Crawford 427/1; Sydenham 920; Memmia 10; RBW 1531. Good VF, attractively toned, traces of deposits.

The reverse relates to the moneyer’s uncle, C. Memmius L.f., who was the commander of the Roman forces who were victorious in Bithynia in the early 50s BC. He was given the title imperator for those victories in BC 57; this coin was struck shortly thereafter to commemorate that event.