Crawford 405/4a

Moneyer:  M. Plaetorius M.f. Cestianus, 69 BC. Denarius

Denomination: Denarius

Obverse: Draped female bust to right, her hair decorated with poppy-heads (głowy maku); behind, uncertain symbol

Reverse: M PLAETORI (on left, downwards) - CEST•S•C (on right, downwards); Jug and torch.

Reference:  Crawford 405/4a

Mint: Rome

Weight: 

Notes: According to Crawford the bust on obverse is "clearly" that of Proserpina. The reverse type alludes to a particular cult with which the moneyer was connected. 

Proserpina is an ancient Roman goddess whose iconography, functions and myths are virtually identical to those of Greek Persephone. Proserpina replaced or was combined with the ancient Roman fertility goddess Libera, whose principal cult was housed in the Aventine temple of the grain-goddess Ceres, along with the wine god Liber.

Collezione : 16 Roman Republic