Return to: “Barbarians, Captives, and Enemies” (to this coin, incl. some context & discussion of the obverse);
See also: Hostilius Saserna’s related “Gallia” Denarius & Julius Caesar’s Denarius depicting small figures of both on the reverse.
ROMAN REPUBLIC (Imperatorial, Moneyer Issue). L. Hostilius Saserna AR Denarius (3.57g, 18mm, 6h). Struck in Rome, 48 BCE.
Obverse: Bearded bust of captive Gallic warrior with wild, corded hair (Vercingetorix as Pavor?) and chain around neck, facing right; to left, a Gallic shield.
Reverse: L•HOSTILIVS (above) / SASERN (below). Two naked Gallic warriors in galloping biga right, one driving, holding whip and reins, the other facing backward, holding shield and brandishing spear.
References: Crawford 448/2a; Hostilia 2; Sydenham 952.
Provenance: Tauler y Fau Auction 65 (Madrid, 6 Oct 2020), Lot 1276.