5397
Auction #26
Lot Number: 62217
Estimate: $150.00
Final Sale Price: $181.50
Denomination: Denarius
Grade: VF
Reference: Crawford 472/1; Sear, CRI 82; Sydenham 964; BMCRR 4018;
Papia 2
  L. Papius Celsus. 45 BC. AR Denarius (3.26 gm). Head of Juno Sospita right, wearing
  goat's skin / CELSVS. III. VIR above, L. PAPIVS in exergue, she-wolf standing right
  starting a fire, eagle on right fanning fire with its wings. Crawford 472/1; Sear,
  CRI 82; Sydenham 964; BMCRR 4018; Papia 2. VF, minor porosity. Scarce. Estimate $150.

  Juno Sospita was a diety particularly sacred to the people of Lanuvium. The reverse
  type refers to the town's legendary founding, in which a she-wolf and eagle had
  kindled a fire marking the site where the town was founded upon.

Used by permission of CNG, www.historicalcoins.com