C. Censorinus, 88 BC. As (Bronze, 28 mm, 11.00 g, 1 h), Rome. NVMA POMPILI / [ANCVS MARCI] Jugate heads of Numa Pompilius, bearded, and Ancus Marcius to right. Rev. C•CENSO / ROMA Two ships crossing; behind, spiral column bearing statue of Victory. Crawford 346/4a. BMCRR 2415. RBW 1321. Sydenham 715. An exceptional example of this very difficult issue. The reverse struck somewhat off center, otherwise, good very fine.

C. Censorinus hailed from the gens Marcia, and thus could claim descent from both the early Roman Sabine kings Numa Pompilius, and his grandson, Ancus Marcius, whose names and heads appear on the obverse. Crawford refers to Censorinus' family history on this coin as a stretch of 'geneological fiction', which was not unheard of during this period of Republican history. However, the reverse is important in its own right regardless of the historical accuracy of Censorinus' alleged connection to Rome's kings, as it is the first numismatic depiction of Ostia, Rome's port on the Tyrrhenian Sea, which was said to have been founded by Ancus Marcius. The ship and the column surmounted by Victory identifies the type as a representation of the port, with the column commemorating the victory of C. Marcius Rutilus, Censorinus' most illustrious historical ancestor, who was elected consul four times, and became the first plebeian dictator in 356. This is a highly desirable example of this popular type, which is usually only found in rough condition, often quite porous or corroded.