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C. Sulpicius, denarius serratus, c.106 BC
The reverse has been interpreted in several slightly different ways. An oracle had told Aeneas that a sow would be found at the place suitable to found his city. One of Aeneas’ companions saw the sow lying with her litter of thirty on the spot identified by the oracle where the city of Lavinium was to be built. This companion was Suispicius (later changed to Sulpicius) the ancestor of the moneyer. The sow and the whole litter were offered in sacrifice by Aeneas to the Dei Penates (obverse heads). The Romans believed that the worship of the Penates should be celebrated at Lavinium. According to this interpretation, we see the ancestor pointing out the sow to Aeneas. There are others who see the sceen simply as two soldiers swearing an oath on a pig (a Roman custom). I believe the story of Aeneas is the more likely of the choices.

The coin is also a nice example of a serrate edge denarius. Again there are different explanations for this seemingly odd practice. Some believe it was to demonstrate that the coin was not plated (fourree) but there are plated serrata. Others consider the cuts a detriment to trimming silver from the edge of the coin. Only certain Republican types were made on serrate flans. It has been suggested that these issues were intended for use in certain localities where the populace prefered coins made in this way. I would like to know more about this subject! The coin made this list for its combination of several reasons. I like the jugate obverse heads, the reverse connection to the mythology of Aeneas and the fact that the coin is in better than average condition. Minor added features are the edge notches and the ligate LP in the moneyer's name on the reverse. Certainly this position on our list could be taken by several other Republican types but, for now, this coin remains one of my favorite denarii of the Roman Republic.


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(c) 2013 Doug Smith