Crawford 474/1a

L. Valerius Acisculus, 45 BC.

Denarius

Mint: Rome 

Obverse: ACISCVLVS; Diademed head of Apollo Soranus to right, above forehead, a star, and a asisculus behind.

Reverse:  L. VALERIVS; Europa, holding veil swirling above her both hands, seated on a bull walking to right.

Reference: Crawford 474/1a.

Weight: 4,03 g

Note: It has traditionally been believed that the reverse shows the heroine Valeria Luperca riding a heifer. However, the animal is clearly a bull, which means that the seated female can only be Europa. The myth of Europa is that she was a Phoenician princess whose beauty attracted the attention of the god Zeus. Desiring her, he turned himself into a magnificent white bull and intermingled with her father's herd. When she saw him, she approached him and stroked his side, then leaped onto his back. Zeus immediately ran out to sea and swam to Crete, where Europa became the island's first queen. Subsequently, Zeus arranged the stars, known as the constellation Taurus, in the shape of the white bull which he had assumed during this episode. 

This coin's reverse depicts the myth of Jupiter and Europa. Transforming into a white bull to join the herd of Europa's father, the king of the gods abducted the maiden and carried her across the sea to Crete, where according to legend she was made the first queen of the island.

As commonly depicted in ancient art, Europa is seen here seated on the bull's back with her drapery billowing in the wind. The myth is featured in Ovid's Metamorphoses (II.873-5) who describes Europa's emotions as she is carried away by the god:

Fear filled her heart as, gazing back, she saw
The fast receding sands. Her right hand grasped
A horn, the other lent upon his back
Her fluttering tunic floated in the breeze.

Collection : 16 Roman Republic