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Auction: 8006 - The Strathtay Collection of Historical Medals. The Prof Colin Rochester Collection of Engish Medieval Groats.
Lot: 994

Republic, AR Denarii (2), Mn. Cordius Rufus (c.46 BC), conjoined heads of the Dioscuri right, rvfvs iii.vir behind, rev. Venus Verticordia standing left holding scales and sceptre, Cupid on her shoulder (Cr. 463/1b; Syd. 976c), toned, very fine; Petillius Capitolinus (c.43 BC), eagle right on thunderbolt, petillivs capitolinvs, rev. temple of six columns dividing sf (Cr. 487/2b; Syd. 1151), bankers mark in field, nearly very fine (2) Estimate £ 120-150 provenance The first, Glendining 7 April 1976, lot 140 The second, Glendining, 30 April 1980, lot 159 Venus Verticordia was the goddess who ´´turns the hearts of men.´´ A temple was specifically dedicated to her at Rome after the corruption of the Vestal Virgins. Her appearance on these coins my in part be an alusion to the Cordia family but may also refer to the family of Julius Caesar who claimed descent from Venus. The Cordia family originated from Tusculum which had a special cult of the Dioscuri. The Petillia family probably held an hereditary office associated with the Capitoline Temple of Jupiter.

Estimate
£120 to £150