| Numismatica Ars Classica > Auction 143 | Auction date: 7 May 2024 |
| Lot number: 302 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction - Bid on this lot  | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: The Dioscuri Collection. The Roman Republic. C. Considius Nonianus. Denarius 57, AR 18 mm, 3.97 g. C·CONSIDI·NONIANI Diademed and laureate bust of Venus r.; below chin, S·C. Rev. ERVC above gate in wall surrounding mountain on which stands temple. Babelon Considia 1. Sydenham 887. FFC 585 (this coin). RBW 1522. Crawford 424/1. Rare and in exceptional condition for the issue, undoubtedly among the finest specimens known. Perfectly struck and centred on a full flan. Light iridescent tone, virtually as struck and almost Fdc Ex NAC 9, 1996, 710 and Aureo & Calicò 319, 2018, Alba Longa, 254 sales. The identity of the moneyer C. Considius Nonianus is entirely unknown, but it has been suggested that the types of this denarius related to Venus Erycinus might indicate Sullan political leanings. Sulla had generally claimed to have the special favour of Venus while the Battle of the Colline Gate, which resulted in his final victory over the Marian faction, on 1 November 82, had taken place near the temple of Venus Erycinus in Rome. The cult of Venus Erycinus, derived from an indigenous Elymian settlement on Mount Eryx in Sicily, was introduced to the Romans during the First Punic War (264-241 BC). ). The Elymians were generally believed by the Romans to have been descendants of the Trojans and are mentioned as compatriots of Aeneas by Virgil. Although the historical Elymian settlement was destroyed by the Carthaginians in 260 BC, the temple of the goddess atop the mountain was later captured by the Romans and held firm until the end of the First Punic War against the repeated attempts of Hamilcar Barca to dislodge them. Estimate: 3000 CHF |  |
