The Social War. Coinage of the Marsic Confederation. 90-88 BC. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.65 g, 6h). Corfinium mint. Series 3d, 90 BC.

Electronic Auction 492
Lot: 326. Estimated: $ 2 000

Roman Republican, Silver

Sold For $ 5 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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The Social War. Coinage of the Marsic Confederation. 90-88 BC. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.65 g, 6h). Corfinium mint. Series 3d, 90 BC. Laureate head of Italia left, wearing a necklace and pendant earring / Oath-taking scene: eight warriors, four on each side of a pole with banner, with their swords pointing at a pig held in the arms of sacerdos faecialis, who is squatting down; Oscan C in exergue. Campana, Monetazione, 63i (D36/R54–this coin); Sydenham 621; HN Italy 408; RBW 1214 var. (control letter). Attractive find patina, pitting. Good VF. Rare.

Ex Dr. Nicholas Lowe Collection (Roma XVIII, 29 September 2019), lot 842; The New York Sale I (3 December 1998), lot 4; ‘Richard J. Graham’ [Paul Tinchant] Collection (Jacques Schulman 243, 8 June 1966), lot 1400.

The revolt of Rome's Italian allies (socii, hence ‘Social War’) broke out toward the close of the year 91 BC and was the culmination of longstanding grievances occasioned by the Senate's inept handling of foreign relations. The Marsi were especially prominent in this movement, hence the name ‘Marsic Confederation’ which is often applied to the rebel state. The main fighting was in the years 90-89 BC and the rebellion assumed alarming proportions when both consuls for 90 BC were defeated by rebel armies. Rome appeared to be in serious danger of defeat, but the movement collapsed as suddenly as it had begun. The victory was probably achieved largely through the political concession of granting Roman citizenship to the enemy. Thereafter, all of Italy south of the Po was united by this common bond. The coinage of the Marsic Confederation is of great interest, consisting principally of silver denarii, some of which bear the names of the rebel generals.

Closing Date and Time: 26 May 2021 at 11:48:20 ET.

All winning bids are subject to an 18% buyer’s fee.