Roman Republic, Denarius, Biga of Snakes 78 BC.
$274
NZNDA member
Marcus Volteius Marcus Filius (Marcus Volteius, son of Marcus).
Obverse: Head of Bocchus or Liber right, wreathed with ivy.
Reverse: Anepigraphic. Ceres holding two torches, in biga of serpents right, control symbol in left field. Moneyer mark in exergue; M.VOLTEI.M.F.
Silver, weight 3.58g, oval flan 19 -16mm.
Grade: gFine - fine, gauge to face.
Reference: Sear 314, Volteia3, Cr385/3.
"This coin relates to the Cereales Games, held in honour of the goddess of corn Ceres. These games were held as part of the seven days in late April dedicated to Ceres (the Cerealia) at the Circus Maximus. The tourch Ceres is holding on the coin relates to her searching for her lost daughter Proserpina, a search enacted by Roman women as part of the festival when they dressed in white and ran about with lit tourches. Ceres is often depicted in a snake drawn chariot, not only on coins but on sarcophagi, on one she is depicted chasing Proserpina and Hades into the underworld holding a tourch in a biga drawn by snakes much like the depiction on this coin. Liber, often identified with Dionysus is closely linked to Ceres through his partner the goddess Libera."
