L. SULLA and L. MANLIUS TORQUATUS. Denarius (82 BC). Military mint moving with Sulla.
Obv: PROQ / L MANLI.
Helmeted head of Roma right.
Rev: L SVLLA IMP.
Triumphator, being crowned by Victory flying left, driving quadriga right, holding reins and caduceus.
Condition: extremel;y fine, pleasant toning!
Weight: 3.92 g.
Diameter: 176 mm.
Ref: Crawford 367/5; Sydenham 757a; Manlia 5; BMCRR East 7 & 11; RBW 1386.
We learn from Plutarch that L. Manlius Torquatus was one of Sulla’s generals. This type was struck during Sulla’s political campaign to be elected dictator, following his return to Rome after his victory against Mithridates. Prior to the Mithridatic Wars, L. Manlius Torquatus had been Sulla’s quaestor - a post he had resigned to assume his military role; hence on this issue he is proquaestor.