Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 516 18 May 2022
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Moneyer issues of Imperatorial Rome. Petillius Capitolinus. 41 BC. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.98 g, 11h). Rome mint. Eagle with wings spread standing facing, head right, on thunderbolt / The Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus: richly decorated hexastyle temple with three garlands hanging between columns; the pediment ornamented with armed figures; in the tympanum is a seated figure of Jupiter between two other figures; S–F across field. Crawford 487/2b; CRI 174a; Sydenham 1151; Petillia 3; RBW 1706. Lightly toned, a few minor marks, slightly off center. Good VF.
From the Dean Kinzer Collection, purchased from Opisthodomos.
Petillius Capitolinus was one of the last moneyers to strike an independent senatorial coinage prior to the Triumvirs seizing control of the minting process in 41 BC. The types he chose – a majestic portrait of Jupiter on the obverse, and the façade of the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus on the reverse – are doubtless a play on his name. It is possible, though not certain, that he was the same Petillius Capitolinus who was later accused of peculation and acquitted. Horace mentions him in his Satires; a later Roman commentator embellished the tale, claiming that Capitolinus was custodian of the Capitoline temple, and was accused of stealing the golden crown from the statue of Jupiter. His acquittal was supposedly due to his close friendship with Augustus.
From the Dean Kinzer Collection, purchased from Opisthodomos.
Petillius Capitolinus was one of the last moneyers to strike an independent senatorial coinage prior to the Triumvirs seizing control of the minting process in 41 BC. The types he chose – a majestic portrait of Jupiter on the obverse, and the façade of the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus on the reverse – are doubtless a play on his name. It is possible, though not certain, that he was the same Petillius Capitolinus who was later accused of peculation and acquitted. Horace mentions him in his Satires; a later Roman commentator embellished the tale, claiming that Capitolinus was custodian of the Capitoline temple, and was accused of stealing the golden crown from the statue of Jupiter. His acquittal was supposedly due to his close friendship with Augustus.