Watch List notes:

L. Valerius Acisculus (45 BC). AR denarius (20mm, 3.95 gm, 9h). Rome. ACISC-VLVS, diademed head of Apollo Soranus right surmounted by star; behind, pick axe / L. VALERIV in exergue, Europe riding bull right, holding her veil which billows out above her. Crawford 474/1a. Sear 90. Sydenham 998. Valeria 17. Scarce. Lightly toned. Extremely Fine.From the Mayflower Collection. The traditional view of the reverse was that it depicted the heroine Valeria Luperca riding a heifer. However, the animal is clearly a bull. Thus, the seated female must be Europa, who, in mythology, was a beautiful Phoenician princess with whom Zeus was enamored. To secure a dalliance, the god changed himself into a bull so that she could ride upon his back, whereupon he took her out to sea and swam to Crete where she bore him several children.

Estimate: 500.00-750.00 USD