C. Numonius Vaala, 41 BC. Denarius (Silver, 20 mm, 4.24 g, 7 h), Rome. C•NVMONIVS - VAALA Bare head of Numonius Vaala to right. Rev. VAALA Soldier, holding spear and shield, rushing left to attack a vallum defended by two soldiers, each bearing a sword and shield. Babelon (Numonia) 2. Crawford 514/2. RBW 1792. Sydenham 1087. Very rare. A splendid example of this important issue, beautifully toned and struck on a very broad flan. Small banker's marks on the obverse, otherwise, about extremely fine.


The reverse of this very rare denarius refers to an unknown ancestor of the moneyer C. Numonius Vaala, who received the corona vallaris for being the first to break through the walls of an enemy fortification during a siege. This extraordinary honor was held in such high regard that 'Vaala' eventually became the cognomen of the Numoni family.