DR-575 | Crawford: 430/1
Publius Licinius Crassus
Publius Licinius Crassus

Gens: Licinia
Moneyer: Publius Licinius Crassus
Date and mint: 55 BC - Rome


Obverse: Draped bust of Venus, right, laureate and diadem. Dotted border.
Legend: S C

Reverse: Female figure leading the horse to the left with the right hand and holding a spear in the left hand; on feet, breastplate and shield. Dotted border.
Legend: P CRASSVS M F

Comment: This denarius, the only one that makes direct reference to Marcus Licinius Crassus, the famous triumvir along with Caesar and Pompey, was minted by his son Publius Licinius Crassus during his father's second consulship, at the time when the First Triumvirate reached its maximum power. On the obverse appears Venus, a symbol of prestige, lineage and divine favor, while on the reverse an armed figure leading a horse is represented, probably an allegory of Virtus or of Roma prepared for war, in allusion to the imminent eastern campaign.

Father and son also shared the same tragic fate: both died in Sinnaca, after the Roman defeat at the Battle of Carrhae (53 BC). Publius was married to Cornelia, daughter of Cornelius Scipio Nasica Serapion, who after being widowed became the fifth wife of Gnaeus Pompey. The coin therefore reflects the moment of greatest influence of the Crassus family and at the same time anticipates its abrupt end, remaining a unique testimony of its political and numismatic legacy.

Provenance: Classical Numismatic group (2016)
Price: 2,381 €