1. RVFVS. An owl on a helmet. -- Rev.--The Aegis of Minerva, with the words MANius CORDIVS around it. Engraved in Morell. Fam. Rom.
2. RVFVS III. Vir. The conjoined heads of the Dioscuri, with diademed bonnets, and stars above each. --Rev-- MAN. CORDIVS. Venus standing, holding the balance in her right hand, and the hasta pura in her left, with a cupid hung to her neck behind.
There is a denarius of this gens, on which a Cupid appears dancing, with crown and palm branch in his hands; and another with Cupid riding on a dolphin.
These coins are ascribed to Manius Cordius Rufus, monetary triumvir under Julius Caesar, before or after the dictatorship. The type of Venus, with the balance, refers to the origin of Caesar, and to his justice; that of the owl to his prudence and wisdom; the warlike helmet and the Egis to his valour; lastly, the palm and crown borne by the dancing Cupid, alludes to the triumphs of Julius.
The heads of the Dioscuri connect themselves with the worship paid to those demi-gods in Etruria, the native country of the moneyer, Cordius Rufus, who was pretor and pro-consul under Augustus, according to a marble discovered at Tusculum by the Abate Amati. --See further remarks on the types of the Cordia gens, cited from Cavedoni, by Riccio, p. 61.