Crawford 290/1

Moneyer: C. Fonteius, 114-113 BC.

Denomination: Denarius

Mint: Rome.

Obverse: Laureate, janiform head of the Dioscuri; in the lower field to left, Q; to right, monogram of XVI (= 16 asses).

Reverse: C•FONT / ROMA Galley with three rowers to left, horator at stern. 

Reference: Crawford 290/1

Provenance: ex Auktion Fritz Rudolf Künker 204, Osnabrück 2012, Nr. 439.

Note: wonderful cabinet toning; sharply struck reverse with great details!  

The Roman god Janus was worshipped primarily as the god of beginnings and endings, the Romans ceremonially opening the doors of his temple to declare war and closing them only once they were at peace. Janus also functioned as the divinity presiding over transitions, and as such was the god Romans looked to as the protector of trade and journeys, especially those by sea. It is not known why the moneyer chose the god Janus and a galley as his types for his coinage, but Roman traders and their equestrian patrons surely must have been happy with it.

Colección : 16 Roman Republic