Nomos AG
Auction 14 17 May 2017
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L. Hostilius Saserna, 48 BC. Denarius (Silver, 18mm, 4.16 g 11), Rome. Bearded male head to right, his hair straggling out behind him; cloak around neck and Gallic shield behind. Rev. L.HOSTILIVS / SASER[..] Nude Gallic warrior, holding shield with his left hand and hurling spear with his right, standing left in a galloping biga being driven to right by a seated charioteer holding a whip. Babelon (Hostilia) 2. Crawford 448/2. CRI 18. Sydenham 952. An interesting and historical coin, toned and with a spectacular obverse portrait. Reverse partially struck flat, otherwise, extremely fine.
From the Stoecklin Collection.
The head on this famous coin has long been identified as that of Vercingetorix, the defeated Gallic leader who graced Caesar's triumph in Rome. This can not be proven but the head does have remarkably individualistic and natural features, and it must surely represent an actual Gaulish captive seen by the die engraver.
From the Stoecklin Collection.
The head on this famous coin has long been identified as that of Vercingetorix, the defeated Gallic leader who graced Caesar's triumph in Rome. This can not be proven but the head does have remarkably individualistic and natural features, and it must surely represent an actual Gaulish captive seen by the die engraver.