DR-409 | Crawford: 359/2
Lucius Cornelius Sulla
Lucius Cornelius Sulla

Gens: Cornelia
Moneyer: Lucius Cornelius Sulla
Date and mint: 84 BC/83 BC - ?


Obverse: Head of Venus, right, with diadem; on the right, Cupidoo holding a palm branch. Dotted border.
Legend: L SVLLA

Reverse: Two trophies between jug and lituo. Dotted border.
Legend: IMPER ITERVM oITERV

Comment: In 82 BC, Sulla took Roma by force and became dictator. After winning the battle of Puerta Colina, he established a regime of terror that culminated in his dictatorship. The emphasis on Venus and war trophies on this coin reinforce his image as an undefeated commander favored by the gods. During his dictatorship, Sulla eliminated thousands of political enemies through very bloody ban lists. Even so, and although it may seem surprising, he renounced power voluntarily.

Provenance: Numismatica Ars Classica (2013)
Price: 2,622 €