5671
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  [Image]                             Item Sold At Auction #27
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                Lot Number: 62395
                Estimate: $300.00
                Final Sale Price: $423.50
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                Denomination: Denarius
                Grade: VF toned
                Reference: Crawford 448/2a; Sear, CRI 18; Sydenham 952; BMCRR 3994;
                Hostilia 2




  L. Hostilius Saserna. 48 BC. AR Denarius (3.87 gm). Head of captive Gallic warrior
  (Vercingetorix?) right, Gallic shield behind / L. HOSTILIV[S] above, SASER[N] below,
  two warriors in biga, one driving and the other holding a shield and brandishing
  spear. Crawford 448/2a; Sear, CRI 18; Sydenham 952; BMCRR 3994; Hostilia 2. Toned VF,
  minor reverse die rust, small chip on obverse edge at 6-7 o'clock. Estimate $300.



  There is much debate upon whether the obverse actually depicts the head of
  Vercingetorix. Sear maintains that a living enemy (albeit a captive one) would not be
  depicted by the Romans in such an honorable fashion. Nonetheless, it is possible as
  this particular issue was struck, in part, to commemorate Caesar's victory over the
  Gallic chieftain, who was subsequently paraded through Rome, and the portrait is
  uncharacteristicly lifelike in its rendering. Also of note is the reverse type, which
  accurately depicts the usage of chariots by Gallic warriors in battle.


Used by permission of CNG, www.historicalcoins.com