Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

L. Papius. Silver Denarius (4.01 g), 79 BC. Rome. Head of Juno Sospita right, wearing goat's skin headdress; behind, pelta. Reverse L PAPI in exergue, griffin springing right; below, axe. Crawford 384/1 (symbols 121); Sydenham 773; Papia 1. Boldly struck and lustrous. Another amazing example. Nearly Mint State.

The Romans were masters of most branches of craft and technology, and the symbols on this coin of L. Papius were specialized tools used in the tanning industry: the pelta, a sort of scraper-knife, and the axe. Leather was of course an everyday necessity for the Romans. While the purpose which these tools had is probably not readily apparent to most of us today, it was surely obvious to any Roman who held this coin.
Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,500.
Ex Tkalec (8 September 2008), 122.