Pre-Long Beach Auction #91

L. Roscius Fabatus. Silver Denarius (3.88 g), 59 BC Superb EF. Rome. L ROSCI below, head of Juno Sospita right, wearing goat's skin headdress; behind, uncertain symbol. Reverse: FABATI in exergue, female standing right, feeding serpent erect before her; in left field, uncertain symbol. Crawford 412/1 (symbols 13); Sydenham 915; Roscia 3. Iridescent tone. A marvelous example with needle sharp details. Superb Extremely Fine.
The types of Juno Sospita and the female feeding the serpent refer to the moneyer's Lanuvine origin. Cicero (de Nat. Deor. 1.29) describes the peculiar garb and attributes of Juno Sospita, while both Propertius (8.4.3) and Aelian (NA 11.16) discuss the role of the serpent in the oracle located in the sacred grove attached to Juno Sospita's temple at Lanuvim. In the religious rites, a virgin fed the reptile fruits and cakes, which caused the oracle to speak. Failure of the oracle to pronounce was, of course, proof of a tainted chastity. Estimated Value $800 - 900

Tom Peterson collection; Private purchase from Tom Cederline.