L. Sulla and L. Manlius Torquatus. 82 BC. AR Denarius (16.5mm, 3.97 g, 10h). Military mint moving with Sulla.

CNG Feature Auction 118
Lot: 900. Estimated: $ 1 000

Roman Republican, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 2 750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Go to Live

L. Sulla and L. Manlius Torquatus. 82 BC. AR Denarius (16.5mm, 3.97 g, 10h). Military mint moving with Sulla. Helmeted head of Roma right, wearing single drop earring and pendant necklace / Sulla driving triumphal quadriga right, holding branch and reins, being crowned by Victory flying left. Crawford 367/5; Sydenham 757a; Manlia 5; BMCRR East 7 & 11; RBW 1386. Light iridescent toning, a bit of obverse die rust. Choice EF.

Ex Alan J. Harlan Collection (Triton XXII, 8 January 2019), lot 833; Michael J. Parris Collection (Coin Galleries, 18 April 2001), lot 298; Classical Numismatic Group 42 (29 May 1997), lot 735.

As consul for the year 88 BC, Sulla was awarded the coveted assignment of suppressing the revolt of Mithradates VI of Pontus, but political maneuvers resulted in this assignment being transferred to Marius. In response, Sulla turned his army on Rome, captured it, and reclaimed his command against Mithradates. His prosecution of the first Mithradatic War was successful, but he spared the Pontic king for personal gain. In 83 BC, Sulla returned to Italy as an outlaw, but was able to win the support of many of the leading Romans. Within a year he fought his way to Rome, where he was elected dictator. It was during this campaign to Rome that this denarius was struck. The obverse type represents Sulla's claim to be acting in Rome's best interest. The reverse shows Sulla enjoying the highest honor to which a Roman could aspire–the celebration of a triumph at Rome.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 118 lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 13-14 September 2021. CNG Feature Auction 118 – Session Three – Roman Provincial Coinage Part 2 through Roman Imperial Coinage Part 1 will be held Tuesday morning, 14 September 2021 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 22.50% for all others.

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