The New York Sale
Auction 40 11 January 2017
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ANCIENT COINS, ROMAN REPUBLIC, L. Cassius Q.F. Longinus. Silver Denarius (3.75 g), 75 BC. Rome. Head of Liber (or Bacchus) right, wreathed with ivy, thyrsus at shoulder. Rev. L CASSI Q F, head of Libera left, wreathed with a vine. (Crawford 386/1; Sydenham 779; Cassia 6). Well struck and well centered for this issue, with complete types, iridescent cabinet toning. Extremely fine.
This denarius is believed to have been struck by the same L. Cassius Longinus who went on to serve as praetor in 66 BC. The depiction of Father Liber on the obverse and Libera on the reverse may advertise the foundation of a temple of Ceres, Liber and Libera by the moneyer's ancestor, Sp. Cassius in 493 BC. The similarity of the head of Liber to that found on the bronze aes of the moneyer C. Cassius (Crawford 266/3) has also suggested to Crawford a possible allusion to the lex Cassia tabellaria introduced by L. Cassius Longinus Ravilla in 137 BC, but this seems a somewhat difficult and improbable connection for the average Roman coin-user to have made.
Estimate: $ 900
This denarius is believed to have been struck by the same L. Cassius Longinus who went on to serve as praetor in 66 BC. The depiction of Father Liber on the obverse and Libera on the reverse may advertise the foundation of a temple of Ceres, Liber and Libera by the moneyer's ancestor, Sp. Cassius in 493 BC. The similarity of the head of Liber to that found on the bronze aes of the moneyer C. Cassius (Crawford 266/3) has also suggested to Crawford a possible allusion to the lex Cassia tabellaria introduced by L. Cassius Longinus Ravilla in 137 BC, but this seems a somewhat difficult and improbable connection for the average Roman coin-user to have made.
Estimate: $ 900