Crawford 346/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, C. Marcius Censorinus, AR Denarius

Rome, The Republic.
C. Marcius Censorinus, 88 BCE.
AR Denarius (3.99g; 18mm)
Rome Mint.

Obverse: Jugate, diademed heads of Numa Pompilius and Ancus Marcius, facing right.

Reverse: Desultor, wearing conical cap and holding whip and reins, riding one horse galloping right, with second horse to left; four pellets beneath; C.CENSO in exergue.

References: Crawford 346/1h; Sydenham 713d; BMCRR 2367 var (fractional symbol on rev); Banti 31 (R7) (this coin illustrated); Marcia 18.

Provenance: Ex Numismatica Ars Classica (25 May 2020), Lot 536; Bank Leu (Dec 1970), Lot 104.

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 Pompilius 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 likely refers to the role of the Marcia gens in founding the Ludi Appolinares in 212 BCE. It was the prophecy of a soothsayer named Marcius that instigated the first of these games during the Second Punic War. They were soon declared an annual event, held at the Circus Maximus. Desultors, horse and chariot races would certainly have been part of the entertainment.