Roman Imperatorial, Illyricum. L. Cornelius Lentulus and C. Claudius Marcellus. Pompeian military mint (Apollonia?), c. 49 BC
Roman Imperatorial, Illyricum. L. Cornelius Lentulus and C. Claudius Marcellus. Pompeian military mint (Apollonia?), c. 49 BC
AR Denarius, 3.94g (18mm, 11h).
L LENT C MARC - COS , head of Apollo with taenia to r. / Jupiter with fulmen (lightning bolt) and eagle facing l., head to r. with star above Q in l. field and altar in right field.
Pedigree: Ex Auctiones Basel, List 13 (1983), 604. Ex Crédit Suisse Bern, List 3 (1985), lot 420
References: Craw. 445/2, Albert 1379, CRI 5
Grade: Lovely example with sharp strike and cabinet toning. Reverse figure is unusually detailed. Minor wear on lower half of reverse around feet of Jupiter. Sharp EF
rr1341
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While today, States generally have enough financial and monetary strength to directly support their military, in the Roman world this was not always the case. Instead of dealing with the logistics of shipping heavy and bulky physical currency across the Mediterranean world, Rome often attached a mint to their armies. By striking distinctly Roman coins from the loot taken on campaign, in essence these mints allowed Roman armies to live off the land. It also provided a ready source of cash to pay the soldiers!
