Artemide Aste s.r.l.
Auction LIII 2-3 May 2020
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L. Papius Celsus. AR Denarius, 45 BC. D/ Head of Juno Sospita right, wearing goat's skin. R/ CELSVS III VIR. She-wolf right, placing stick on fire; on right, eagle fanning flames with its wings; in exergue, L. PAPIVS. Cr. 472/1. B. 2. AR. g. 3.81 mm. 18.50 Scarce. A very attractive example of this scarce and fascinating issue, with the reverse scene unusually complete. Brilliant and toned. VF.
The reverse alludes to the legendary foundation of Lanuvium. Whilst Aeneas and his Trojan companions were engaged in building the city, they noticed a fire in an adjoining wood. This was caused by a she-wolf placin pieces of wood on a brazier, fanned by an eagle with its wings. A fox (missing from the scene)(editor's note) seeing the fire vaintly tried to extinguish it by dipping its tail into a neighbouring stream, but was driven off by the wolf and eagle. Aeneas deduced from this that the new colony would become famous, but would have to contend against the jealousy of its neighbours, yet in the end would prevail. (RSC I, p.71, 3a note).
The reverse alludes to the legendary foundation of Lanuvium. Whilst Aeneas and his Trojan companions were engaged in building the city, they noticed a fire in an adjoining wood. This was caused by a she-wolf placin pieces of wood on a brazier, fanned by an eagle with its wings. A fox (missing from the scene)(editor's note) seeing the fire vaintly tried to extinguish it by dipping its tail into a neighbouring stream, but was driven off by the wolf and eagle. Aeneas deduced from this that the new colony would become famous, but would have to contend against the jealousy of its neighbours, yet in the end would prevail. (RSC I, p.71, 3a note).