Ancient British Hoards

Roman Imperatorial Coinage, Moneyer Issues, Lucius Valerius Acisculus, Denarius, Rome, 45 BC, asiscvlvs behind head of Apollo surmounted by star, hair tied with a band, double headed pick behind, rev. l valerivs in exergue, Europa seated on a bull right, holding veil above her head in both hands, 3.40g/6h (Ghey 294.1, this coin; Craw. 474/1a; BMCRR 4099; RSC Valeria 17; Sear 90a). ‘E’ banker’s mark to obverse with graffito below, otherwise about fine £60-£80

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, British Iron Age Coins from the Helmingham Hoard.

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Collection

SF 262

The identity of the female figure carried by the bull is not completely certain, Seaby argues that the image is that of Valeria Luperca, a virgin to be sacrificed to the goddess Juno, whom was saved by her fate by an eagle, as the story goes, and became a figure of healing in her own right. However, the foundations for this are weak. Crawford argues, and Sear entertains, that Europa riding Zeus in the form of a bull represents Cleopatra being brought to Rome in 46 BC, and her relationship with Julius Caesar with whom she had a child, Caesarion, in June of 47 BC. Whilst not too ‘on the nose’, this would be the first representation of Cleopatra on Rome’s coinage.