Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Triton XIX Sessions 1 & 2 5 January 2016
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The Social War. Coinage of the Marsic Confederation. 90-88 BC. AR Denarius (20.5mm, 3.35 g, 7h). Series 6a. Mint moving with C. Papius C.f. Mutilus, possibly in Campania. Struck 90 BC. Head of Bacchus right, wearing ivy wreath; mútil.embratur (in Oscan) to right / Bull standing right on back of wolf standing right, goring it; c.paapi (in Oscan) in exergue. Campana, Monetazione 100 (D65/R87); Sydenham 641; BMCRR Social War 41 (same dies); HN Italy 427; RBW –. Good VF, deeply toned. Very rare, only 22 of this type noted by Campana of which 15 are in museums. Superior to the one sold in 2013 in NAC 73, 95 (hammer 26,000 CHF).
The revolt of Rome's Italian allies (socii, hence 'Social War') broke out toward the close of the year 91 BC and was the culmination of longstanding grievances occasioned by the Senate's inept handling of foreign relations. The Marsi were especially prominent in this movement, hence the name 'Marsic Confederation,' which is often applied to the rebel state. The main fighting was in the years 90-89 BC and the rebellion assumed alarming proportions when both consuls for 90 BC were defeated by rebel armies. Rome appeared to be in serious danger of defeat, but the movement collapsed as suddenly as it had begun. The victory was achieved largely through the political concession of granting Roman citizenship to the enemy. Thereafter, all of Italy south of the Po was united by this common bond. The coinage of the Marsic Confederation is of great interest, consisting principally of silver denarii, some of which bear the names of the rebel generals. The reverse here depicts the raging Italian bull trampling and goring the Roman wolf.
The revolt of Rome's Italian allies (socii, hence 'Social War') broke out toward the close of the year 91 BC and was the culmination of longstanding grievances occasioned by the Senate's inept handling of foreign relations. The Marsi were especially prominent in this movement, hence the name 'Marsic Confederation,' which is often applied to the rebel state. The main fighting was in the years 90-89 BC and the rebellion assumed alarming proportions when both consuls for 90 BC were defeated by rebel armies. Rome appeared to be in serious danger of defeat, but the movement collapsed as suddenly as it had begun. The victory was achieved largely through the political concession of granting Roman citizenship to the enemy. Thereafter, all of Italy south of the Po was united by this common bond. The coinage of the Marsic Confederation is of great interest, consisting principally of silver denarii, some of which bear the names of the rebel generals. The reverse here depicts the raging Italian bull trampling and goring the Roman wolf.