ROMAN REPUBLIC. L. Sulla & L. Manlius Torquatus. AV Aureus (10.75 gms), Military Mint moving with Sulla, 82 B.C. NGC EF, Strike: 4/5 Surface: 3/5. Scuffs, Edge Filing. Cr-367/2; Syd-758; Cal-18 (this coin cited and illustrated). Obverse: Helmeted head of Roma right; L MANLI ⊣ to left, PRO Q to right; Reverse: Sulla, holding branch and reins, driving triumphal quadriga right; above, crowning Victory flying left; L SVLLA IMP in exergue. Lightly toned and highly elegant, this example offers charming centering on the obverse and great detail remaining throughout. A few minor flan flaws are noted on the reverse, along with a scrape across the heads of the horses. However, given the monumentally important nature of the type, these subtle aspects are quite easy to overlook.<p>Already an <strong>EXTREMELY RARE</strong> and seldom encountered type from a fraught period in the waning Roman Republic, this wondrous specimen is from the <strong>RARER</strong> of the two types of Aurei referenced in Crawford. Namely, the example presented here features a sideways T (⊣) for the moneyers cognomen (Toraquatus) on the obverse, while essentially all of the other examples of Sulla Aurei that have come to the market over the past two-plus decades have lacked this letter. This, however, does not mean that these Civil War Aurei are in any way easy to acquire, as recent representatives of the other obverse type have each brought over $200,000. A supremely important opportunity for the most advanced of collectors within the Roman Republican series, or Roman gold issues more broadly. From the Dr. Michael Rogers Collection, Part III.<p>Ex: Numismatica Ars Classica 27 (5/2004) Lot # 251.
