Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 67 6 Feb 2020
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L. Cornelius Sulla Felix AR Denarius. Italy, 81 BC. Diademed head of Venus right, wearing single-pendant earring and necklace / Filleted double cornucopiae; Q below. Crawford 375/2; BMCRR East 17-9; RSC Cornelia 33. 3.37g, 20mm, 12h.
Near Very Fine; bankers' marks on obv.
From the Amilcare Collection.
While Sulla's enemy Marius claimed Apollo as his divine patron, Sulla himself invoked the goddess Venus, and consequently she appears on the obverse of his coinage. The double cornucopiae is an attribute of Fortuna and may allude to Sulla's cognomen, Felix, but it likely also suggests that this issue was intended to defray the expenses of some special largesse of grain - the inhabitants of Rome must have badly needed some such assistance after the recent struggle.
Near Very Fine; bankers' marks on obv.
From the Amilcare Collection.
While Sulla's enemy Marius claimed Apollo as his divine patron, Sulla himself invoked the goddess Venus, and consequently she appears on the obverse of his coinage. The double cornucopiae is an attribute of Fortuna and may allude to Sulla's cognomen, Felix, but it likely also suggests that this issue was intended to defray the expenses of some special largesse of grain - the inhabitants of Rome must have badly needed some such assistance after the recent struggle.