Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Triton XXIV 19-20 Jan 2021
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Moneyer issues of Imperatorial Rome. C. Numonius Vaala. 43 BC. AR Denarius (19mm, 4.05 g, 9h). Rome mint. Bare head of Numonius Vaala right; C • NVMONIVS downward to right, VAALA upward to left / Soldier advancing left, holding spear and shield, attacking a vallum defended by two soldiers; VAALA in exergue. Crawford 514/2; CRI 322; Sydenham 1087; Numonia 2; BMCRR Rome 4216; RBW 1792. Toned with some iridescence, bankers' marks on both sides. Good Fine. Rare.
From the Peter J. Merani Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 49 (17 March 1999), lot 1273.
As with many of the moneyers' types of the late first century BC, C. Numonius Vaala's reverse type refers to an historic event in his family's past. We cannot know to which specific ancestor the moneyer is referring, but the scene depicts military action that brought a specific honor to the soldier involved. During the siege of a city or an enemy camp, the first soldier to breach the walls was awarded the corona vallaris, or "wall crown". The cognomen Vaala became a hereditary title among the Numonii, to be displayed proudly by the first member of the family to achieve the office of moneyer.
From the Peter J. Merani Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 49 (17 March 1999), lot 1273.
As with many of the moneyers' types of the late first century BC, C. Numonius Vaala's reverse type refers to an historic event in his family's past. We cannot know to which specific ancestor the moneyer is referring, but the scene depicts military action that brought a specific honor to the soldier involved. During the siege of a city or an enemy camp, the first soldier to breach the walls was awarded the corona vallaris, or "wall crown". The cognomen Vaala became a hereditary title among the Numonii, to be displayed proudly by the first member of the family to achieve the office of moneyer.