Series: Republican deities - Saturn
Reference: Crawford 421/1

Gens and monetary:Nonia - M. Nonius Sufenas
Year and mint:From 59 BC to 59 BC - Rome
Obverse:Head of Saturn right; behind, harp and oval object. Dotted border. S·C SVFENAS
Reverse:Rome sitting left on a pile of weapons holding scepter in right and sword in left; behind, Victoria holding palm branch on left and crowning Rome with right. Dotted border. PR·L·V·P·F SEX·NONI

Grade:FDC- 4.09 g - 4h
Origin:Former NAC 40, 2007, 496; Ira & Larry Goldberg 80, 2014, 3053; NAC 143, 2024, Dioscurii collection

Comment:
The Nonia gens was a plebeian family. Its most prominent member would be Lucius Nonius Asprenas, who was suffect consul in 36 BC. under the Second Triumvirate, during the regime of Octavian (the future emperor Augustus).
Not much is known about the monetary officer in charge of issuing this denarius about his political career.
The year 59 B.C. It was another crucial moment for Rome, as during this period, Julius Caesar held the consulship, supported by the First Triumvirate, consolidating his power. The Republic was in the midst of change, with political tensions and the growing influence of military figures. The struggles for power and the reforms promoted by Caesar would mark the beginning of the end of the traditional Republic.
The obverse, with the head of Saturn, could symbolize the importance of ancient Roman traditions and Rome’s connection to the past. Saturn, as the god of agriculture and abundance, also represents the stability and sustenance of the Republic.
On the reverse, the figure of Rome seated on a pile of weapons, crowned by Victory, underlines the military power and dominance of Rome in the ancient world. This design symbolizes not only the invincibility of Rome, but also the divine recognition of its supremacy. The image of Victoria with the palm and the crown reinforces the idea of ​​triumph and military glory, key elements for the political propaganda of the time.