Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

M. Plaetorius M.f. Cestianus. Silver Denarius (3.99 g), 68-67 BC. Rome. CESTIANVS, head of Cybele right; behind, forepart of lion; below chin, globe. Reverse unlisted control mark, M PLAETORIVS AED CVR EX S C, curule chair; in left field, c. Crawford 409/2; Sydenham 808; Plaetoria 3. Well struck on a large size flan with delicate iridescent toning on both sides. Superb Extremely Fine.

Although Hersh and Walker dated this issue to 57 BC based on their interpretation of the evidence from the Mesagne hoard, they failed to note that the dates of Cestianus' curule aedileship are secured by Cicero's speech, Pro Cluentio, which was read in 66 BC. Cicero says in his speech that he had argued the case of Decimus Matrinius, a man who had been degraded to a lower order by the censors of 70 BC, before the curule aediles Cestianus and Flaminius. This secures their aedileship to between 70 and 67 BC, and for other reasons Cestianus could not have been curule aedile in either 70 or 69 BC.

The types of this coin refer to the Ludi Megalesiaci, games which honored the goddess Cybele, and were presented by the curule aediles.

For further discussion for his moneyer's coin types, see the lot with the non-AED CVR denarius below.
Estimated Value $700 - 800.
Ex Kirk Davis List 54 (October 2008), 45; William C. Boyd Collection, with Boyd's original collection ticket showing that he purchased the coin from Spink in 1891.