Description
Roman Republic. L. Manlius Torquatus. Denarius 65 BC, Rome. Silver 4.03 g.; 19.4 mm.
Obverse: Head of Sibyl, right, wearing ivy-wreath. Obverse caption: SIBVLLA // Reverse: Tripod on which stands amphora; on either side of amphora, star. All within torque. Reverse caption: L·TORQVAT / III·VIR
Crawford: 411/1b.
Very rare and of exceptional condition for the type despite a scratch before the portrait. A portrait of exquisite style struck on a flan of good silver and very well centred. Almost uncirculated AU 50-53
Provenance Details
Ex Auction Sternberg 32, Zürich 1996, Nr. 350;
Ex Auction Fritz Rudolf Künker 83, Osnabrück 2003, Nr. 2003.
From the Dr. Guy Sylvain Paul Bastin Collection.
Comment
The representations on the obverse and reverse show that L. Manlius Torquatus belonged to the college of Quindecimviri sacris faciundis. In addition, the torque on the reverse recalls his cognomen "Torquatus", clearly linked to the object. As the dating of the issue is disputed between 65 and 61 BC, we prefer Crawford's dating.
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