Triton XXII, Lot: 862. Estimate $500. Sold for $750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

L. Scribonius Libo. 62 BC. AR Denarius (18.5mm, 3.96 g, 5h). Rome mint. Diademed head of Bonus Eventus right; LIBO downward behind; BON • EVENT downward before / Puteal Scribonianum (Scribonian wellhead), decorated with garland and two lyres; hammer at base; PVTEAL above; SCRIBON in exergue. Crawford 416/1a; Sydenham 928; Scribonia 8a; BMCRR Rome 3377-80; RBW 1500. Superb EF, lustrous.

From the Alan J. Harlan Collection, purchased from Edward J. Waddell. Ex Leu 77 (11 May 2000), lot 446.

Though a puteal is often described as a "wellhead," the Puteal Scribonianum depicted here was a walled enclosure erected around the spot of a lightning strike in the Roman Forum. The Romans believed such spots were marked by the gods, and hence worthy of veneration. Erected circa 204 BC by a member of the Libo clan, the Puteal became a popular meeting spot for money lenders and merchants.