Tullia

Tulia, a family partly patrician, partly plebian. Three varieties in its coins: one of these is described to be a denarius, having on its obverse a winged head of Minerva; behind which is the word ROMA; and on the reverse M. TVLLI. Victory in a quadriga, holding a palm-branch in the left hand; in the field of the coin a crown and the mark x. - The same restored by Trajan is RER. - By many numismatis this silver medal has been ascribed to Cicero the Orator, and has thus become a subject of naturally great interest, as supposed to be identified with the name and times of that famous man who is justly reckoned amongst the most illustrious characters of antiquity. Eckhel, however far from countenancing this supposition, contents himself with remarking that it is a matter of uncertainty to which Tullius this denarius is to be assigned or by what surname it is to be distinguished, for the Tulia gens spreads widely through many and various cognomina. The form itself of the coin, he adds, reveals a higher antiquity than can possibly be compatible with the opinion which refers it to Cicero. A denarius of the Tullia family, having on its obverse the winged head of Minerva, with the word ROMA; exhibits on the reverse side N. TVLLI. The type is Victory in quadriga, holding a palm-branch; above is a laurel garland; below x. It would seem by this singular coin, which his prenomen and name are associated with Victory in a car, that the triumph of Cicero was meant to be designated. But the most remarkable and personally interesting numismatic memorial of this illustrious Roman, is the second brass colonial of Magnesiia, in Lydia, with his portrait- a coin of the greatest rarity. -See Mionnet-Tullia fam.

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