Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

C. Cassius Longinus. Silver Denarius (4.0 g), 42 BC. Military mint, probably at Smyrna. Conspirator, commited suicide in 42 BC. P. Lentulus Spinther, legate. C CASSI IMP behind, LEIBERTAS before, diademed, veiled and draped bust of Libertas right. Reverse LENTVLVS/SPINT in two lines below, jug and lituus. Crawford 500/5; HCRI 223; Sydenham 1305; RSC 6. Boldly struck in high relief and well centered. Beautifully toned with hints of iridescense. Superb Extremely Fine.

Libertas's portrait on this coin is quite lovely, showing a certain graciousness and competent ability not evident on the parallel issues with an unveiled Libertas where the goddess is depicted with a rather large jowl and chin more in line with a caricature portrait. In instances such as this, we must wonder if the engraver was simply more skilled or if perhaps he had a local beauty sit for him whose likeness he skillfully copied.
Estimated Value $4,000 - 5,000.
Ex Triton XI (8-9 January 2008), 612; Freeman & Sear List 6 (Summer 2001), F87.