Sale: CNG 73, Lot: 794. Estimate $300.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 13 September 2006.  Sold For $280. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

L. Roscius Fabatus. 59 BC. AR Serrate Denarius (3.87 g, 6h). Rome mint. Head of Juno Sospita right; to left, pygmy advancing right, holding shield / Female right facing serpent; to left, crane standing right. Crawford 412/1 (symbols 69); Sydenham 915; Roscia 3. Good VF. Very rare symbols.

The control marks here indicate that the moneyer intended a relationship between the obverse and reverse controls. The pygmy and crane clearly refer to the mythical battle between the Pygmies and the Cranes (Homer, Iliad 3.3).