Social War Denarius

446, Lot: 282. Estimate $1000. Sold for $2750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

The Social War. Coinage of the Marsic Confederation. 90-88 BC. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.74 g, 10h). Bovianum(?) mint. Series 9b, 89 BC. Laureate head of Italia left, wearing single drop earring and pearl necklace; viteliú (in Oscan) to right / Soldier standing facing, head right, foot on uncertain object, holding spear and sword; recumbent bull to right; retrograde N (= Oscan N) in exergue. Campana, Monetazione 143 (D99/R120); Sydenham 627; cf. RBW 1218. Good VF, deeply toned, minor reverse roughness. Rare.

From the Dr. Charles Schulz Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 46 (24 June 1998), lot 1042.

The revolt of Rome's Italian allies (socii, hence ‘Social War’) broke out toward the close of the year 91 BC and was the culmination of long-standing grievances occasioned by the Senate's inept handling of foreign relations. The Marsi were especially prominent in this movement, hence the name ‘Marsic Confederation,’ which is often applied to the rebel state. The main fighting was in the years 90-89 BC and the rebellion assumed alarming proportions when both consuls for 90 BC were defeated by rebel armies. Rome appeared to be in serious danger of defeat, but the movement collapsed as suddenly as it had begun. The victory was probably achieved largely through the political concession of granting Roman citizenship to the enemy. Thereafter, all of Italy south of the Po was united by this common bond. The coinage of the Marsic Confederation is of great interest, consisting principally of silver denarii, some of which bear the names of the rebel generals.