Roman Republic AR Denarius(3.83g, 19mm), Publius Servilius M.f. Rullus, 100 BC. Bust of Minerva left, wearing Corinthian helmet and aegis; behind, RVLLI upward. Border of dots. / Victory in biga right, holding palm-branch in left hand and reins in right hand; below P; in ex., P • SERVILI • M • F. Border of dots. Crawford 328/1; RSC Servilia 14; Russo RBW 1185.
The reverse of this denarius celebrates Marius' victories against the Teutones, Ambrones and Cimbri. This is also one of only eight types that advertise the fact that they were struck with silver from the public treasury, "Ex. Argento Publico" - the "P" on the reverse. Three of the other types were from this 102-100 BC period as well, and Crawford suggests that being struck with silver from the public treasury was nothing new or special, as most issues were struck with public silver, but that the marking simply "reflects a climate of opinion in the formation of which assertion of the rights of the people played a prominent part"(Crawford, Roman Republic Coinage, pg. 605).
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- Thursday 14 January 2016
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- biga, gens.servilia, minerva, palm.branch, victory
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