Dea Moneta
login
Banner Artemide LVIII
Numonius Vaala's or Caesar's Portrait?
Lot # 426
C. Numonius Vaala. AR Denarius, 41 BC. Obv. C. NVMONIVS VAALA. Bare head of Numonius Vaala (or Julius Caesar ?) right. Rev. A warrior left, armed with a shield and sword attacking wall (vallum), which is defended by two soldiers; in exergue, VAALA. Cr. 514/2; B. 2. AR. 3.60 g. 19.50 mm. RR. A choice example of this very rare and intriguing issue, struck on a broad flan and brilliant. Bold portrait, lovely light cabinet tone. Minor insignificant areas of weakness, otherwise. good VF/VF. The reverse presumably portraits an act of bravery by an ancestor, not known to history, whence the cognomen Vaala (from vallum).