432, Lot: 274. Estimate $500. Sold for $800. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee. |
|
Moneyer issues of Imperatorial Rome. L. Livineius Regulus. 42 BC. AR Denarius (20mm, 4.16 g, 7h). Rome mint. Bare head right / Venatio scene: in foreground, lion charging right toward a
bestiarius who spears it; in background on left, a wounded bear sits right; on right, another
bestiarius, holding sword and shield, defends himself against a tiger charging left; L • REGVLVS in exergue. Crawford 494/30; CRI 179; Sydenham 1112; Livineia 12; Type as RBW 1735. VF, lightly toned. Rare.
From the Andrew McCabe Collection.
This popular type depicts a venatio, a contest between bestiarii and various animals. Such activities served as the morning entertainment during a day at the games, with the “main event” – the gladiatorial contests – taking place in the afternoon.