348/2. Rubria (87 BC)

AR Denarius (Rome, 87 BC)

O/ Veiled and diademed head of Juno r., sceptre on l. shoulder; DOS behind. 

R/ Triumphal chariot with side panel decorated with eagle; Victory flying r. above. RVBRI in exergue. 

4.07g

Crawford 348/2 (90 obverse dies/100 reverse dies)

Lucius Rubrius Dossenus:

Dossenus belonged to the plebeian gens Rubria. His life is still very obscure and was unknown to Crawford. Plutarch however mentions that Cato the Younger served as a military tribune in Macedonia under the Praetor Rubrius in 67 BC (Cato min., 9,1) -- probably our moneyer. It also appears that Dossenus was a member of the Optimates. 

Dossenus' denarii use the triumphal iconography, but with empty chariots, because they do not celebrate an actual triumph, but an "hopeful" one; eg. that, despite their desperate situation, the Optimates would win the incoming fight against the Populares of Marius.

Collection : Roman Republic