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Crawford 346/4, ROMAN REPUBLIC, C. Censorinus, AE As
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Rome, The Republic.
C. Censorinus, 88 BCE.
AE As (11.73g; 27mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: NVMA POMPILI ANCVS MARCI; Jugate heads of Pompilius and Ancus Marcius facing right.
Reverse: Prows of crossing ships; to right, a spiral column surmounted by statue of Victory; C.CENSO and ROMA in field.
References: Crawford 346/4a; RBW 1321; Sydenham 715; BMCRR 2415-2418; Marcia 21.
Provenance: Ex RBW Collection [CNG e-Sale 364 (2 Dec 2015), Lot 169]; purchased privately from Frank Kovacs, 3/27/1992.
The moneyer, C. Marcius Censorinus, was a supporter of Marius in the struggle against Sulla. He was killed during the conflict circa 82 BCE. He was a member of the gens Marcia, who claimed descent from the early Roman kings Numa Pompilius and Ancus Marcius. The jugate heads of Pomplius and Marcius are used on much of Censorinus’ silver and bronze coinage. Numa Pompilius was the legendary 2nd king of Rome, who is crediting with establishment of Roman religion and religious institutions. Among these institutions were the sacred college of priests and the position of Pontifex Maximus. Ancus Marcius was the legendary 4th king of Rome. Ancus Marcius ordered the Pontifex Maximus to display some of Numa Pompilius’ religious commentaries to the people of Rome to facilitate proper religious observance.
The reverse of the coin may refer to a naval victory of one of the moneyer’s ancestors, though the precise victory is uncertain.
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