264, Lot: 362. Estimate $150. Sold for $160. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee. |
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M. Plaetorius M.f. Cestianus. 57 BC. AR Denarius (18mm, 4.08 g, 4h). Rome mint. Helmeted and draped bust right, with attributes of Isis, Minerva, Apollo, Diana, and Victory; cornucopia below chin / Eagle standing right on thunderbolt, head left, with wings spread. Crawford 409/1; Sydenham 809; Plaetoria 4. VF, toned, banker’s mark on obverse.
The traditional identification of the female bust as Vacuna is impossible, writes Crawford, citing the work of J.P. Morel, MEFR 1962, 25-29. An identification as Isis, according to the work of A. Alföldi, SM 1954, 30-31, is perhaps correct. In short, the identification of the obverse type is uncertain, as the female has attributes of Isis, Minerva, Apollo, Diana, and Victory.