Crawford 385/3

Moneyer:  M. Volteius M.f.; 78 BC

Denomination: Denarius

Obverse:  Head of Bacchus (or Liber) to right, wearing wreath of ivy an fruit 

Reverse:  Ceres driving biga of serpents to right, holding torch in each hand; butterfly behind, M•VOLTEI•M•F in exergue. 

Mint: Rome

Reference: Crawford 385/3

Weight:  3,70 g

Notes: In ancient Roman religion, Ceres was a goddess of agriculture, grain crops, fertility and motherly relationships. She was originally the central deity in Rome's so-called plebeian or Aventine Triad, then was paired with her daughter Proserpina in what Romans described as "the Greek rites of Ceres". Her seven-day April festival of Cerealia included the popular Ludi Ceriales (Ceres' games). She was also honoured in the May lustration (lustratio) of the fields at the Ambarvalia festival: at harvest-time: and during Roman marriages and funeral rites. She is usually depicted as a mature woman.

Collection : 16 Roman Republic