RRC 287/1 Anonymous denarius - Roma on shields. 114-115 BC

Denomination: Denarius

Era: 114-115 BC

Metal:  AR

Obverse: Helmeted head of Roma R,; X behind. ROMA below; Border of dots

Reverse:  Helmeted Roma seated to right on two shields, holding spear; helmet below; wolf standing to right at her feet, head reverted, suckling Romulus and Remus; in left and right fields, two birds flying towards her.

Mint: Rome

Weight: 3.92 g

Reference: RRC 287/1

Date Acquired:  Sept 21, 2022

Provenance:  Roma XXV Lot 699; From the Andrew McCabe Collection;
Ex Nomisma S.p.a. (San Marino), E-Auction 7, 11 November 2018, lot 3016.

The general motif of the reverse type was later partially copied in the 90's for a social war issue. See Sydenham 622-624.  Grueber suggests the birds on the reverse field may represent a raven and a crow, which were amongst those consulted by the auguries.  If in their flight, the raven appeared on the right and the crow on the left, the omen was favorable (Cicero de. div i.39).  The issue was restored by Trajan.

Referenz : RRC 287/1

Sammlung : Roman Republican Silver after 140 BC.