Roman Republic, C. Norbanus, Denarius - RARE

Rare denarius minted in Rome in 83 BC by one of the two known monetary triumvirs (tres viri monetales) that year, Gaius Norbanus. The rarity of the presented coin is mainly due to the emission marking on the obverse CLXXVII, for which we found only 1 record on the Coinarchives service!

Roman Republic

C. Norbanus (83 BC), Denarius 83 BC, Rome mint

Obverse: head of Venus in the diadem facing right, behind it the emission mark CLXXVII, below is a legend with the name of the official C NORBANVS

Reverse: ear of grain, lictors' bundle and caduceus

Weight 3.8 g

The presented denarius was minted in 83 BC, when the power of the popular party in Rome was gradually declining. Consul Caius Norbanus, the issuer's father, was responsible, inter alia, for ensuring food supplies to the city and the army, as the symbol of the ear on the coin and the supreme authority alludes to. Although consul Norbanus died in the battle against Sulla, who landed in Brundysium in early spring and moved deep into Campania, Rome was still in the hands of the popular and probably the younger Norbanus could also mint his denarii in the second half of the year, which would be indicated by the enormous wealth of various mint markings on the obverse.