ROMAN REPUBLICAN. L. Cossutius C.f. Sabula. 72 B.C. AR denarius. 3.86 gm. 18 mm. Rome mint. Winged head of Medusa left, serpents in her hair; SABVLA / Bellerophon hurling spear, riding Pegasus right; XXXVI to left, L•COSSVTI•C•F below. Crawford 395/1. Sydenham 790. RSC Cossutia 1. RBW 1436 var. (control). Very Fine; aqua blue iridescent tone; scattered light porosity. Striking design, good style, well centered and well struck; a fascinating coin portraying several characters in Greek mythology.

Bellerophon, hero of Greek mythology, is the slayer of monsters who killed the Chimera, a fire-breathing mix of lion, goat, and snake, using the winged horse Pegasus whom he had tamed. Medusa is a monstrous Gorgon in Greek mythology, a living human female with venomous snakes in place of hair, who turned people into stone if they gazed upon her.