Sold with an Italian export licence.
The Roman Republic.
L. Appuleius Saturninus. Denarius 104, AR 19 mm, 3.85 g, 12h. Helmeted head of Roma l. Rev. Saturn in quadriga r., holding reins and harpa; below horses, C surmounting pellet. In exergue, L·SATVRN. Babelon Appuleia 1. Sydenham 578a. RBW –. Crawford 317/3b.
A very unusual portrait of fine style and a pleasant light tone. Very fine
Ex Aureo sale 25 May 2011, 14. This coin is sold with an export licence issued by the Republic of Italy.
The style of this obverse is very different from the mainstream of the series; its most distinctive difference is the griffin tufts, normally spiky (see RRC 317/1), and here curly. This is the main style (engraver school) of Coilius Caldus (RRC 318). This style is rarely found in RRC 317/3 and forms a very rare group within this large coinage, comparable in rarity with RRC 317/1 and /2; in fact only 10 dies are known, uniquely paired with reverses with control letters below the horses. This detail has recently been published: P. Debernardi and R. Schaefer, L'importante collezione di monete romano-repubblicane del Museo Correr, Bollettino del Museo Correr 2016, pp. 66-73.