Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XII 29 September 2016
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L. Censorinus AR Denarius. Rome, 82 BC. Laureate head of Apollo right; ant control mark below chin / Marsyas standing left, holding wineskin over shoulder; to right, column surmounted by statue of Minerva (?) standing left; L•CENSOR downwards to left. Crawford 363/1b; RSC Marcia 24. 3.90g, 17mm, 4h.
Near Mint State. The third known and best preserved specimen.
As yet no thorough study of the control marks of the L.CENSOR series has been published, with this Ant/Nil combination of obverse and reverse die not being represented in the table of attested marks in Crawford's RRC. However, a study in progress by P. Debernardi has established 39 combinations compared to the 20 listed by Crawford, many represented by only one specimen. That the control mark on the obverse is indeed an ant is certain as each control mark has only one die, a fact noted by Crawford which we can use to verify the correct identification of this symbol. In comparison to the other two specimens, one privately held (CGB France 41, lot 392) and one held by the British Museum (1984.1206.1), the ant is considerably more clear on the present example.
Near Mint State. The third known and best preserved specimen.
As yet no thorough study of the control marks of the L.CENSOR series has been published, with this Ant/Nil combination of obverse and reverse die not being represented in the table of attested marks in Crawford's RRC. However, a study in progress by P. Debernardi has established 39 combinations compared to the 20 listed by Crawford, many represented by only one specimen. That the control mark on the obverse is indeed an ant is certain as each control mark has only one die, a fact noted by Crawford which we can use to verify the correct identification of this symbol. In comparison to the other two specimens, one privately held (CGB France 41, lot 392) and one held by the British Museum (1984.1206.1), the ant is considerably more clear on the present example.