Superb Accoleius Lariscolus Denarius

Triton XXII, Lot: 924. Estimate $5000. Sold for $5000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Moneyer issues of Imperatorial Rome. P. Accoleius Lariscolus. 41 BC. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.99 g, 12h). Rome mint. Draped bust of Diana Nemorensis right, head closely bound with fillet; P • ACCOLEIVS LARISCOLVS around / Triple cult statue of Diana Nemorensis facing, supporting on their hands and shoulders a beam, above which are five cypress trees; the figure on left holding poppy, that on right holding lily. Crawford 486/1; CRI 172; Sydenham 1148; Accoleia 1; BMCRR Rome 4211-3; RBW 1701. Superb EF, fully lustrous.

From the Alan J. Harlan Collection. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 40 (16 May 2007), lot 587.

This intriguing denarius refers to the cult of Diana Nemorensis, an aspect of the virgin huntress worshipped at the town of Aricia, located in the Alban Hills near Lake Nemi. Likely the hometown of the moneyer, the town was situated near an archaic shrine containing a triple statue of the goddess as depicted on the reverse. Aricia was also the birthplace of Atia, mother of Octavian, and the types are likely intended to honor her (and Octavian’s) origins.