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C. Clodius Vestalis; Rome
41 BC
Avers: Head of Flora, behind Lily, in front C.CLODIVS
Revers: Vesta sitting left, arround VESTALIS
3,9 Gramm
Syd. 1135, Crawford 512/2
Die estimation by Crawford: Obvers 30, Revers 33
The reverse type of a seated Vestal, may represent nothing more than an allusion to the moneyer’s cognomen. But Grueber and Crawford describing her as Claudia Quinta, the Vestal Virgin who brought the image of Cybele to Rome in 204 BC, or Claudia, daughter of Appius Claudius Pulcher (consul 143 BC) who protected her father against an intercessio (veto) following his unauthorized triumph.
The obverse type depicting Flora, the Italian goddess of flowering or blossoming plants, probably relates to the foundation of the festival of the Floralia during the consulship in 240 BC of an ancestor of the moneyer.
Ex. Naville Numismatics
Collection : Roman Republic + Imperatorial