Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

Faustus Cornelius Sulla. Silver Denarius (3.79 g), 56 BC. Rome. FEELIX, diademed bust of Hercules right, lion's skin tied at neck. Reverse FAVSTVS in exergue, Diana, holding lituus and reigns, driving galloping biga right; above, crescent and two stars; below horses, star. Crawford 426/2; Sydenham 881a; Cornelia 60. Very Rare. Well struck on a broad flan with a bold portrait and a light iridescent tone. Extremely Fine.

This splendid denarius again records the feats of the moneyer's father, the dictator Sulla. The obverse recalls the magnificent public feast that Sulla gave in honor of Hercules after defeating Mithradates VI of Pontus, and his piety for dedicating a tenth of all his property to the hero. The reverse commemorates Sulla's defeat of Gaius Norbanus, who had been sent to oppose his return from the East. Sulla credited the goddess Diana with the outcome as it had occurred in an area sacred to her, and he consecrated a spring well-known for its healing powers as well as the surrounding neighborhood to the goddess.
Estimated Value $7,000 - 8,000.
Ex NAC 73 (18 November 2013), 167.