DR-280 | Crawford: 310/1
Gnaeus Cornelius Sisenna
Cneo Cornelius Sisenna

Gens: Cornelia
Moneyer: Gnaeus Cornelius Sisenna
Date and mint: 118 BC/107 BC - Rome


Obverse: Bust of Roma with helmet, right. Dotted border.
Legend: SISENA ROMA
Symbols: Obverse before, x

Reverse: Jupiter in quadriga, right, holding scepter and reins on the left and throwing lightning with the right; on each side, Star; above, head of the Sun and Cross; below, giant anguipede with Ray on right and with left raised. Dotted border.
Legend: CN CORNEL L F

Comment: The denarius of Gnaeus Cornelius Sisenna was minted in Rome between 118 and 107 BC. He belongs to the Cornelia gens, one of the most prominent families in the Republic. Sisenna descended from the branch of the Scipios, linked to Scipio Africanus and Scipio Asiaticus, conqueror of King Antiochus of Syria.

We know little about Sisenna himself, except that he held the position of moneyer. The affiliation L. f. He relates him to a Lucius Cornelius of the same family. As usual, he used the coin to reinforce the prestige of his lineage.

On the obverse the bust of Roma with a winged helmet appears on the right, accompanied by the legend SISENA ROMA and the value X in front. The image represents the protective goddess of the city, a symbol of civic virtues and the defense of the State.

The reverse is much more unique. It shows Jupiter in a chariot on the right, with a scepter and lightning bolt, accompanied by stars on the sides, the radiated head of the Sun and a cross at the top. Below the horses appears a giant anguiped, a creature with snake-shaped legs, holding a lightning bolt. This figure comes from the myth of the Gigantomachy, where the Olympian gods defeat the giants, and symbolizes the victory of divine order and Roma over chaos.

Provenance: Numismatica Ars Classica (2011)
Price: 7,328 €