39
Finest Known Denarius of C. Memmius
3057
C. Memmius C.f. Silver Denarius (3.88 g), 56 BC.
Rome. C
MEMMI C F, head of Ceres right, wreathed with grain ears.
Re-
verse:
C MEMMIVS IMPERATOR, bound captive kneeling right
beneath trophy. Crawford 427/1; Sydenham 920; Memmia 10. An
exquisiste example and virtually as struck. Intricate detail with lus-
trous surfaces delicately toned.
Nearly Mint State.
The moneyer of this coin, Gaius Memmius, was the nephew of Pompey the Great,
the son of Pompey’s sister, Pompeia Strabonia, and C. Memmius. The reverse com-
memorates a military victory of an ancestor with the same name who had been ac-
claimed imperator by his troops, but there is debate over which C. Memmius this
was. It is possible that it refers to the moneyer’s grandfather, who was tribune in 111 BC
and then proconsul of Macedonia, or perhaps more likely his father, who accord-
ing to Plutarch was Pompey’s most capable general in the fight against Sertorius in Spain.
Estimated Value................................................................................................................. $1,200 - 1,400
Ex Tkalec (29 February 2008), 203.
3058
C. Memmius C.f. Silver Denarius (3.47 g), 56 BC.
Rome. C MEM-
MI C F before, QVIRINVS behind, laureate head of Quirinus right.
Reverse:
MEMMIVS AED CERIALIA PREIMVS FECIT, Ceres seat-
ed right, holding torch and grain ear; at her feet, serpent. Crawford
427/2; Sydenham 921; Memmia 9. Struck on a nice broad flan and
perfectly centered. Intricate detail and simply superb, lightly toned.
Possibly the finest example to exist.
Nearly Mint State.
Quirinus was a god of war of Sabine origin who was assimilated
with Romulus, Rome’s founder. It seems that here Memmius is ei-
ther referencing a Sabine family origin, or else claiming descent
from Romulus. The reverse legend states that it was an ances-
tor of the moneyer who in 202 BC as (plebeian) aedile held the
first festival to the goddess Ceres, the Cerealia. The festival was
held annually for several days in April since being first instituted,
and included races in the Circus Maximus and theatrical events.
Estimated Value ............................................................$5,000 - 6,000
Ex NAC 59 (4-5 April 2011), 801.
