AR Denarius ROMAN REPUBLIC - CAIUS MARCIUS CENSORINUS - Rome (cf. NAC Auction 92, lot 1797 in xf SFR 3.750 + 20%)

weight 3,76gr. | silver Ø 16mm.

obv. Conjoined diademed heads of king Numa Pompilius, bearded,
and king Ancus Marcius, bearsless, right
rev. Desultor on horseback galloping right, wearing pileus (conical cap),
with second horse at his side, holding whip with right hand and holding
reins for both horses with left hand, C•CENSO in exergue.

The Marcii Censorini were a branch of the plebeian gens Marcia, but Ronald Syme notes their ″ancestral prestige, barely conceding precedence to the patriciate.″ They had been supporters of Caius Marius and were consistent populares throughout the civil wars of the 80s and 40s–30s. The cognomen Censorinus was acquired through Caius Marcius Rutilus, in 357 BC the first elected consul, whose son used it. The Gens Marcia claimed to be decendants of the Roman kings Numa Pompilius (legendary second king of Rome), and Ancus Marcius, beardless (his grandson, the legendary fourth king of Rome), which is illustrated on this coin, and symbolically from Marsyas the satyr, who was associated with free speech and political liberty.

Caius Marcius Censorinus was a moneyer in 88 BC. In 87, as a military tribune or prefect, he commanded the cavalry that attacked and killed the consul Gnaeus Octavius, then brought his head to Cinna the historian Appian remarks that this was the first time a head of a consul was displayed on the Rostra, but unfortunately not the last. In 82, near the end of the civil war between Sulla and the Marian-Cinnan faction, Carbo sent Censorinus with eight legions to the aid of the besieged Praeneste, but he was ambushed by Pompeius near Sena Gallica. After Carbo fled to Africa, Censorinus was among the officers who made a last-ditch effort to break the line of Sulla that culminated in defeat at the Battle of the Colline Gate.

Very rare variety no control-mark below the horses.

cf. Sear 256 | cf. Sydenham 713 | cf. Crawford 346/1i |
RSC I Marcia 18a  BMCR 2367 | cf. Albert 1209 RR
(cf. NAC Auction 92, lot 1797 in xf SFR 3.750 + 20%)
Minor scratch and reverse struck slightly off-centre.
vf/vf-

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