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Rome, 54 BC
Avers: P FONTEIVS P F CAPITO III VIR CONCORDIA, veiled Concorda bust with didadem, around P FONTEIVS CAPITO III VIR CONCORDIA
Revers: Porticus of the Villa Publica on the Campus Martius, left. T DIDI, below IMP, right VIL PVB
Sear 393, Crawford 429/2a, Albert 1357
The only known depiction of the Villa publica in Rome on a scarce Roman Republic issue by the moneyer Publius Fonteius, 54 B.C.
The Villa publica was a public building in ancient Rome, which served as the censors’ base of operation. It was erected on the Campus Martius in 435 BC. According to Livy, the first census was compiled there the year it was built. In 194 BC, the building, or buildings, was restored and enlarged. The consul Titus Didius further restored the building in 98 BC. The Villa publica also served as a place where foreign ambassadors were greeted, where generals waited to hear if they would be granted a triumph, and it also acted as a base for army levies. According to Josephus, Vespasian and Titus waited on the grounds of the villa for their entry into the city on the occasion of the triumph of victory in the Jewish War.
ex MDC Monaco E-Auction 6, 10.06.2023, Lot 128
Collection : Roman Republic + Imperatorial