41
3061
Q. Sicinius. Silver Denarius (4.0 g), 49 BC.
Rome. FORT P R, diademed head
of Fortuna Populi Romani right.
Reverse:
III VIR across field, Q SICINIVS,
crossed palm branch and caduceus; above, wreath. Crawford 440/1; HCRI 410;
Sydenham 938; Sicinia 5. A lustrous, beautiful specimen and delicately toned.
Superb Extremely Fine.
Little is known of the moneyer Q. Sicinius, and his family, while noble, was
not a driving force in Roman politics. The types of the coin show that he
sided with Pompey after Caesar crossed the Rubicon. The obverse depicts
the head of the Fortune of the Roman People, and the symbols on the reverse
all reference Pompey’s accomplishments: the palm for his many victories,
the wreath that was awarded him by the Senate specifically for his defeat
of Mithradates VI in 63 BC, and the caduceus for his defeat of the Cilician
pirates. This was the last normal issue of denarii before Caesar’s occupation
of Rome, at which time Sicinius fled east along with the rest of the Pompeians.
Estimated Value ....................................................................................$800 - 900
Ex Pat Coyle Collection (Goldberg 69, 29 May 2012), 3380.
3062
Mn. Acilius Glabrio. Silver Denarius (3.91 g), 49 BC.
Rome.
SALVTIS, laureate head of Salus right.
Reverse:
MN ACILIVS
III VIR VALE[TV], Valetudo standing left, holding serpent and
resting arm on column. Crawford 442/1a; Sydenham 922; Acilia
8. Virtually as struck with lustrous surfaces.
Nearly Mint State.
Salus and Valetudo are both goddesses of good health,
and here they possibly signify the relief and gratitude of the
moneyer and the people of Rome for the recovery of Pom-
pey the Great, who had fallen gravely ill the year before.
Estimated Value........................................................... $800 - 900
Ex NAC 46 (2 April 2008), 407.
