Sale: Triton IX, Lot: 1298. Estimate $300.  Closing Date: Monday, 9 January 2006.  Sold For $200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

[Roman Moneyer Issues] M. Plaetorius Cestianus. 67 BC. AR Denarius (3.98 g, 6h). Rome mint. CESTIANVS behind, S. C. before, draped bust of Vacuna right, hair falling in ringlets, wearing crested helmet, encircled with wreath of laurel, corn, poppy, and lotus; bow and quiver on shoulder, cornucopiae below chin; all within bead and reel border / M. PLAET-ORIVS M F AED. CVR around, eagle standing right on thunderbolt with wings spread, head left; all within bead and reel border. Crawford 409/1; Sydenham 809; Kestner 3366-3367; BMCRR Rome 3596-3601; Plaetoria 4. EF, toned. ($300)

From the Harry Strickhausen Collection.

The traditional identification of the female bust as Vacuna is impossible, writes Crawford, citing the work of J.P. Morel, MEFR 1962, 25-29. An identification as Isis, according to the work of A. Alföldi, SM 1954, 30-31, is perhaps correct. In short, the identification of the obverse type is uncertain, as the female has attributes of Isis, Minerva, Apollo, Diana, and Victory.