Two Vercingetorix Portraits

Sale: CNG 79, Lot: 982. Estimate $1500.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 17 September 2008.  Sold For $2500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

L. Hostilius Saserna. 48 BC. AR Denarius (3.81 g, 3h). Rome mint. Head of captive Gallic warrior (Vercingetorix?) right; Gallic shield to left / Two warriors in galloping biga right, one driving and the other holding shield and brandishing spear. Crawford 448/2a; CRI 18; Sydenham 952; Hostilia 2. Good VF, a few light marks.

The obverse portrait has sometimes been identified as the famous chief of the Arverni, Vercingetorix, whom Julius Caesar captured in 52 BC in Alesia.