The general description of the coin is-
L. MANLIUS TORQUATUS, (c.82 B.C.), silver
denarius,
mint moving with
Sulla, (3.950 grams),
obv. small
Roma helmeted
head to right, L. MANLI before,
PRO Q behind with
graffiti “M” cut over
inscription.
rev. Sulla in walking
quadriga to right, crowned by
Victory above, [L.]SVLLA IM in
exergue, (S.286, Cr.367/5,
Syd.757, B.Manlia 4).
L.Manlius Torquatus the moneyer, was an officer under
Sulla, but the
graffiti cannot refer to him as
his name already appears on the
obverse. In fact the “M” is cut over
his name, which could be interpreted as a form of damnatio. So my speculation is that a supporter of the recently deceased
Marius and a loyal member of
his faction, could well have cut the coin to damn L.Manlius Torquatus and show
his loyalty for the dear departed
Marius.
Sorry for the bad scan but my scanner is not
very good for coins, but the image should be clear enough to see a clear “M”.
Steve
