67, Lot: 78. Estimate $200. Sold for $120. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Q. Antonius Balbus. 83-82 BC. AR Serrate Denarius (19mm, 3.93 gm). Laureate head of Jupiter right; S C behind / Victory driving quadriga right, holding wreath and palm; O beneath. Crawford 364/1d; Sydenham 742b; Antonia 1. Toned EF.

Q. Antonius Balbus was a member of the Marian party, and in 82 BC was appointed praetor of Sardinia. Before he left for his territory, the Senate ordered him to mint this issue to pay the army preparing to resist Sulla's return. The reverse reflects Balbus' expectation of victory and consequent peace. Sulla was victorius, however; L. Philippus, a partisan of Sulla, removed Balbus from his position and had him slain.