Cr 335/3f AR Denarius Malleolus, Albinus & Metellus

Rome, 96 BCE . AR Denarius
issue of C. Malleolus, A. Albinus Sp.f., and L. Caecilius Metellus

o: Helmeted head of Mars right; mallet above, mark of value below chin
r: Warrior standing left, right foot on cuirass, holding spear and leaning on tabella divided into two compartments, in one CM/(AL) in two lines, in the other a Π, retrograde and sideways; trophy in left field.
Sydenham 615b; Poblicia 8; Type as RBW 1205

18.5mm, 3.91 gms.

This coin is not a beauty, but the key details are quite clear. The placement of the mallet (= "Malleus") above the head of Mars is a bit comical to modern eyes, and reflects either a difference sensibility towards slapstick comedy in ancient times or an engraver not particularly well informed about divine sensitivities. ("Malleolus", by the way, is the medical term for the part of your ankle that sticks out.)

From the Andrew McCabe Collection. McCabe's notes as to this coin include: "This variety with the voting tablet inscribed C. MAL is quite a lot scarcer than that with a prow."
As with the other 3 coins posted in this group, the coin is much better in hand.