Sear, D.R., Roman Coins and their Values 5 vols (London, Spink, 2000-2014) 286; Crawford, M., Roman Republican Coinage 2 vols (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2011) 367/I, 5 and pl. XLVII.20; Sydenham, E. A. The Coinage of the Roman Republic (London, Spink, 1952; (Sanford J. Durst repr. 1976) 757, 757a; Seaby, H.A., Roman Silver Coins (London, B.A. Seaby, 1967) Manlia 4, 5, 8a.

1969.01

Denarius of Sulla

3.948 g. 83-82 BC

Obv.: Head of Roma r., wearing winged helmet. PROQ(uaestor) (downwards) L.MANLI(us) (upwards).

Rev.: Sulla, standing r. in quadriga (four-horse chariot), holding branch (?) in right hand and reins in left. Above, winged Victory, flying l., offering wreath. In exergue, L. SVLLA[IM.].

This coin probably comes from a mint in the East, where Sulla’s proquaestor, L. Manlius Torquatus, issued gold and silver coinage for Sulla during the war against Mithridates. Sulla was hailed as Imperator in the East in 83 BC, and celebrated his triumph in Rome in 81 BC. Most coins of this kind have IM. or IMP. after Sulla’s name, but our coin is too worn in that place for the title to be distinguishable. Silver coins of this kind are very common. Similar gold ones are known but rare.

L. Manlius Torquatus was a boyhood friend of Atticus and later became consul (65 BC).

Sear, D.R., Roman Coins and their Values 5 vols (London, Spink, 2000-2014) 286; Crawford, M., Roman Republican Coinage 2 vols (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2011) 367/I, 5 and pl. XLVII.20; Sydenham, E. A. The Coinage of the Roman Republic (London, Spink, 1952; (Sanford J. Durst repr. 1976) 757, 757a; Seaby, H.A., Roman Silver Coins (London, B.A. Seaby, 1967) Manlia 4, 5, 8a.