The RBW collection of Roman Republican coins part II

This rare aureus celebrates the triumphs Sulla was awarded for his defeat of Mithradates, and of the Samnites at the Battleof the Colline Gate in 82. On the reverse a triumphal quadriga bears the figure of Sulla, who is crowned by a Victory flyingabove.The inscription L SVLLA IM makes it clear that Sulla is the figure in the quadriga. This aspect should not be overlooked,for it is an early example of a Roman coin depicting a living person – something that would eventually become a definingfeature of coins of the Imperatorial period. In this aureus we have a precursor to the royal portraiture initiated by JuliusCaesar nearly four decades later. Also, since this coin was issued either contemporarily or soon after Sulla’s triumphalprocession through the streets of Rome, it serves as a document of that great event.162162 Denarius, mint moving with Sulla 82, AR 3.88 g. [L·]MANLI – PRO Q. Helmeted head of Roma r. Rev.Triumphator, crowned by Victory flying l., in quadriga r., holding reins and caduceus; in exergue,L·SVLLA·IMP. Babelon Manlia 4 and Cornelia 39. Sydenham 757. Crawford 367/5.Toned and about extremely fine / extremely fine 300Privately purchased from A.H. Baldwin in September 1976.163163 Denarius, mint moving with Sulla 82, AR 3.80 g. L·MANLI – PRO Q. Helmeted head of Roma r. Rev.Triumphator, crowned by Victory flying l., in quadriga r., holding reins and caduceus; below the raisedforeleg of the nearest horse, XX. In exergue, L·SVLLA·IM[P]. Babelon Manlia 4 var. and Cornelia 39 var.Sydenham 757. C. Hersh, Essays Baldwin, pp. 21-22. Crawford 367/5 note.Very rare. Light iridescent tone and about extremely fine / good very fine 400Ex Lanz sale 54, 1990, 372.On this issue, a roman numeral was occasionally scratched (not engraved) in the reverse die before the horse. NumeralsVI, XV, and XX are known: see Hersh, Essays Baldwin, pp. 21-22 and Crawford, PBSR XXXIV, 1966, p. 22. It has beenspeculated that these numerals were designed to differentiate dies, but were not intended to appear on the coins themselves.In any event, specimens showing the numerals are very rare (RBW).164164 As, mint moving with Sulla 82, Æ 23.34 g. Laureate head of Janus; above mark of value. Rev. [L SVLA]Prow r.; in exergue, IMPE. Babelon Cornelia 34. Sydenham 767. Crawford 368/1.Very rare. Brown tone and about very fine 200Privately purchased from R. Schaefer in November 1993.37