Numismatic

Roman Republic AR Denarius C. Censorinus (88 BC) XF (Cr-346/1)

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Struck during the era of the Roman Republic, this silver denarius from 88 BC offers a window into the legendary past of ancient Rome. The obverse of the coin displays the overlapping, right-facing profiles of two early Roman kings, Numa Pompilius and Ancus Marcius. This jugate portraiture showcases the artistry of ancient die-engravers, capturing the distinct features of these historical rulers on a small silver canvas. The reverse side of the coin captures a moment of high-speed action. It depicts a pair of horses galloping toward the right, guided by a skilled rider known as a desultor, who is positioned on the horse closest to the viewer. This dynamic scene represents the ancient equestrian games where riders would leap from one moving horse to another. Weighing approximately 4 grams and containing 0.1300 troy ounces of silver, this artifact is cataloged as Crawford-346/1 and survives in Extra Fine condition.