The Shepherd Faustulus

421, Lot: 493. Estimate $150. Sold for $280. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Sex. Pompeius Fostlus. 137 BC. AR Denarius (20mm, 3.88 g, 12h). Rome mint. Helmeted head of Roma right; jug to left, X (mark of value) below chin / She-wolf standing right, head left, suckling the twins (Remus and Romulus); to left, shepherd Faustulus standing right; in background, birds on fig tree. Crawford 235/1c; Sydenham 461a; Pompeia 1a; RBW 972. VF, iridescent tone.

From the Jonathan P. Rosen Collection.

The reverse alludes to the families alleged descent from Faustulus, the shepherd who discovered Remus and Romulus being suckled by the she-wolf on the Palatine Hill and afterwards raised the twins with his wife.