61 / 184
1165
L. Hostilius Saserna. Silver Denarius (3.72 g), 48 BC. Rome. Head of Gallic captive (Vercingetorix?) right;
behind, Gallic shield. Rev. L H[OSTILIVS] above, SASERN below, two warriors in biga galloping right, one
driving and the other holding shield and brandishing spear. (Crawford 448/2a; HCRI 18; Sydenham 952;
Hostilia 2). Well centered obverse with residual luster. About extremely fine.
$ 3,250
Probably one of the most iconic coins associated with Julius Caesar’s Gallic Wars, the obverse type has long been identified as a
portrait of Vercingetorix, the great chief of the Arverni captured at the battle of Alesia in 52 BC, although both Crawford and Sear
have expressed doubts about this identification. However, the large and detailed treatment of the head suggests an intended portrait
rather than a simple personification of a conquered Gaul.
1166
Q. Caecilius Metellus Pius Scipio and Eppius. Silver Denarius (3.76 g), 47-46 BC. Military mint traveling
with Scipio in Africa. Q METELL SCIPIO IMP, head of Africa right, wearing elephant’ skin headdress; in
right field, grain stalk; below, plow. Rev. EPPIVS LEG F C, Hercules standing facing, resting hand on hip
and leaning on club draped with lion’s skin and set on rock. (Crawford 461/1; HCRI 44; Sydenham 1051;
Caecilia 50). Iridescent cabinet toning. About extremely fine.
$ 750
ex Antika (17 October 1985), lot 68.
The obverse type depicting Africa wearing an elephant headdress is remarkable in that it ultimately derives from Ptolemaic Egyptian
representations of Alexander the Great as conqueror of Asia used on coins struck at Alexandria. Under the Roman Empire it was
transmitted back to Alexandria where a female figure wearing the elephant headdress became the standard personification of the city.