Rhine Legions. Anonymous, circa May/June-December 68. Denarius (Subaeratus, 18 mm, 2.84 g, 9 h), uncertain mint in Gaul or in the Rhine Valley. 'Virtus-Roma Group'. VIRT Head of Virtus to right, wearing crested helmet decorated with two volutes on the bowl.
Rev. S-P-Q-R around Spanish round shield lying on top of two spears in saltire. BMC -. CG 117.1 (
this coin). Cohen -. Martin -. Nicolas -. RIC -. Smyth XV/16 (
this coin). Of the highest rarity, one of just two known examples. Minor scratches and some breaks in plating
, otherwise, about very fine.
From the collections of Dipl.-Ing. Christian Gollnow and Hugh Algernon Percy (1914-1988), His Grace the 10th Duke of Northumberland, K.G., P.C., G.C.V.O., F.R.S., and very likely from the collection of Hugh Percy (circa 1714-1786), His Grace the 1st Duke of Northumberland, K.G. and P.C., removed from Alnwick Castle, Sotheby's, 4 November 1982, 555.
Leu Numismatik is proud to being able to offer, through the Gollnow collection, an exceptional group of civil war denarii from the famous Duke of Northumberland collection (lots 1007-1008, 1010, 1024-1025, 1035, 1066, 1079, 1098 and 1143 in this catalogue). For a note on this collection and its rich history, see lot 1007 above.
