Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 510 23 Feb 2022
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Moneyer issues of Imperatorial Rome. L. Livineius Regulus. 42 BC. AR Denarius (17mm, 3.84 g, 2h). Rome mint. Bare head right / Venatio scene: in foreground, lion charging right toward a bestiarius who spears it; in background on left, a wounded bear sits right; on right, another bestiarius, holding sword and shield, defends himself against a tiger charging left. Crawford 494/30; CRI 179; Sydenham 1112; Livineia 12; RBW 1735. Toned, light scratches and porosity, some roughness. VF. Well centered for issue.
From the Collection of a Yorkshire Gentleman. Ex Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 183 (5 March 2008), lot 173.
The type represent the responsibility of the praefectus urbi to provide public entertainment in the form of gladiatorial games. The wounded animal awaiting the attentions of the gladiators is usually identified as a boar, but the general view of better specimens suggests it is probably a bear. Pliny relates that Caesar inaugurated bear fights, the speciality of the Thessalians, in Rome.
From the Collection of a Yorkshire Gentleman. Ex Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 183 (5 March 2008), lot 173.
The type represent the responsibility of the praefectus urbi to provide public entertainment in the form of gladiatorial games. The wounded animal awaiting the attentions of the gladiators is usually identified as a boar, but the general view of better specimens suggests it is probably a bear. Pliny relates that Caesar inaugurated bear fights, the speciality of the Thessalians, in Rome.