Mn. Fonteius C.f, 85 BC. Denarius (Silver, 21 mm, 3.92 g, 7 h), Rome. MN•FONT[EI C•F] Laureate head of Apollo to right; to right, monogram of ROMA; below, thunderbolt. Rev. Cupid riding goat to right; above, two pilei surmounted by stars; below, filleted thyrsus; all within laurel wreath. Babelon (Fonteia) 9. Crawford 353/1a. RBW 1350. Sydenham 724. Lightly toned. Struck on a slightly oblong flan, otherwise, good very fine.



Although described in most catalogs as Apollo, the god depicted on the obverse of this coin is most likely the infernal Latin god, Vejovis, later identified alternatively with Jupiter (therefore the thunderbolt) and Apollo. The charming reverse of this coin alludes to the statue of a winged infant genius that stood near the cult statue of Vejovis in his temple, built between the two peaks of the Capitoline Hill in Rome. The caps of the Dioscuri above the genius are a reference to Tusculum, the hometown of the gens Fonteia.