DR-331 | Crawford: 335/3f
Lucius Caecilius Metellus / Caius Publicius Malleolus
Lucius Caecilius Metellus / Caius Publicius Malleolus

Gens: Caecilia / Poblicia
Moneyer: Lucius Caecilius Metellus / Caius Publicius Malleolus
Date and mint: 95 BC/92 BC - Rome


Obverse: Bust of Mars helmet, right. Dotted border.
Legend:
Symbols: Obverse above, Hammer | Obverse below, x | Reverse behind, Tablet

Reverse: Naked warrior standing to left, holding spear in right hand and resting right foot on breastplate; on the left, trophy; to right, bow; above bow, inscription. Dotted border.
Legend: C MAL

Comment: The gens Caecilia was one of the most influential senatorial families of the Republic, with numerous consuls and generals, while the gens Poblicia, although of ancient origin, had lost notoriety at this time. The association of both in the same broadcast reflects the political weight of its members and the institutional nature of the series.

The coinage is placed between the years 95 and 92 BC, in a period in which Roma faced growing social tensions that would lead shortly after to the social war. The coins of this group not only functioned as a means of payment, but also as a propaganda vehicle for the issuing families and for the exaltation of the strength of Roma.

The obverse shows the helmeted bust of Mars, accompanied by the value mark X and a hammer as a control mark. Mars, god of war, symbolizes military courage and the defense of the city, reinforcing the message of war supremacy. The reverse is especially expressive: a standing naked warrior rests his foot on a breastplate and holds his spear in his right hand, next to a trophy on the left and a bow on the right. The legend C MAL identifies the moneyer man Gaius Publicius Maleolo. The warrior represents the victory achieved over the enemies, while the trophy recalls the spoils of war and the prow refers to the naval power of Roma, thus projecting a complete image of land and maritime force.

This denarius is part of the extensive series of Metellus and Maleolus, in which various types and symbols were used to reinforce both the prestige of their families and the idea of Roma being invincible in all areas of war. Four variants of this type are known (Crawford 335/3a, b, c, d, e, f, g), which are distinguished by the position and shape of the hammer and the

Provenance: Numismatica Ars Classica (2010)
Price: 1,542 €