Sale: CNG 72, Lot: 1338. Estimate $1000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 14 June 2006.  Sold For $2000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

L. Aemilius Buca. January 44 BC. AR Denarius (4.10 g, 9h). Rome mint. Diademed head of Venus right / Sulla reclining right against rock, Luna descending left from mountain on right, veil floating above her head and holding lighted torch, Victory with spread wings standing facing in background, holding staff in raised hand. Crawford 480/1; CRI 164; Sydenham 1064; Aemilia 12. VF, deep gray and iridescent toning, minor marks beneath tone.

Ex V. J. E. Ryan Collection (Glendining, 2 April 1952), lot 1870 (part of).

This famous reverse type depicts Sulla’s dream in 88 BC. As Plutarch recorded, while at Nola in Campania, on his way to Rome to strike Marius, there appeared to Sulla in a dream a goddess who placed thunder in his hand. The goddess encouraged Sulla to strike down his enemies. He did. They were immediately reduced to ashes. On this coin Luna represents the goddess. Asleep, Sulla is urged to destroy his adversaries by Victory.