397, Lot: 408. Estimate $100. Sold for $190. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

L. Rustius. 74 BC. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.79 g, 3h). Rome mint. Helmeted head of young Mars right; [mark of value below chin] / Ram standing right. Crawford 389/1; Sydenham 782; Rustia 1. VF, toned, small banker’s mark on the reverse.

From the Archer M. Huntington Collection, ANS 1001.1.12811.

Crawford is alone in calling the obverse head a portrait of Minerva and in suggesting an astrological connection between Minerva and the ram. Babelon notes that the ram makes an appearance on the only other denarius of the Rustia family – that of Q. Rustius as moneyer under Augustus – and it seems possible the ram has some connection with the Rustia family.