DR-653 | Crawford: 463/1a
Manlius Cordius Rufus
Manlio Cordius Rufus

Gens: Cordia
Moneyer: Manlius Cordius Rufus
Date and mint: 46 BC - Rome


Obverse: Dioscuri, right, with laureate Pileo. Dotted border.
Legend: RVFVS IIIVIR

Reverse: Venus left, holding scales on right and Scepter on left, with Cupid on shoulder. Dotted border.
Legend: MN CORDIVS

Comment: The Cordia gens
It was a low-profile Roman plebeian family that remained active in public life during the final crises of the Republic. Although they did not have a prominent role in the major conflicts, their participation in the minting of coins reflected their relevance in the political system of the time.

Manlio Cordio Rufo
It was a triumvir monetalis in 46 BC, during the government of Julius Caesar. His political career is not well documented, suggesting that he did not reach the higher ranks.

Roma in the year 46 BC.
In 46 BC, Julius Caesar consolidated his authority as dictator after the defeat of the Pompeians at Thapsus. Roma was experiencing important political transformations that prefigured the end of the Republic. The issuances of denarii reflected Caesar's personal power. Their need to pay the legions increased the circulation of coins.

Obverse
The obverse of the denarius presents the two Dioscuri, Castor and Pollux, with their laureate piléos, a common representation in Romen iconography. The Dioscuri were revered as protectors of Roma and were sometimes associated with chivalry and divine aid. Its presence on this coin could suggest the protection and support of divine forces in times of conflict, reinforcing the importance of unity and loyalty within the army. However, the exact symbolism may vary and its inclusion may also be related to other cultural and religious aspects of the time.

Reverse
On the reverse, Venus appears holding a scale and a scepter, with Cupid on her shoulder, representing the divine lineage of Julius Caesar. The scales symbolize justice, and the scepter, power. The design reinforces the legitimacy of Caesar's power and his divine ancestry, with the legend "MN CORDIVS" linking the currency to these values.

Provenance: Roma Numismatics (2021)
Price: 2,102 €