Crawford 286/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, M. Sergius Silus, AR Denarius

Rome, The Republic.
M. Sergius Silus, 116-115 BCE.
AR Denarius (3.94g; 19mm).
Rome Mint.

Obverse: Head of Roma in winged helmet, facing right; ROMA and * (mark of value) behind; EX S C before.

Reverse: Horseman galloping left, holding severed head and sword in extended left hand; Q and M SERGI below horse; SILVS in exergue.

References: Crawford 286/1; Sydenham 544; BMCRR (Italy) 512; Sergia 1.

Provenance: Ex Nomisma 58 (6 Nov 2018) Lot 165.

M. Sergius Silus struck this coin as quaestor by special decree of the Senate. The coin celebrates the deeds of the quaestor’s ancestor, also named M. Sergius Silus, the great grandfather of Cataline (the infamous conspirator prosecuted by Cicero). During the Second Punic War, he lost his right hand in battle, and fitted a prosthesis that allowed him to hold a shield. Thus, he is depicted holding both his sword and the severed head of a foe in his LEFT hand.