- Stock: Sold
- Model: denarius head of Janus Furius
M. Furius L.f. Philus.Denarius (17 mm, 3.22 g), Rome, 121 BC. Very fine.
Obv. M·FOVRI·L·F, Laureate head of Janus.
Rev. Roma standing to left, wearing Corinthian helmet and holding sceptre, crowning trophy flanked by a carnyx and shield on each side; above her head, star; to right, ROMA and in exergue, PHLI.
Syd. 529; Craw. 281/1.
The presence of Gallic war trumpets (carnyces) on the reverse indicates that this celebrates a victory over the Gauls. Which victory is uncertain. It could be the famous early victory of Camillus (of the gens Furius, 386 BCE), but the moneyer’s connection to Camillus is tenuous at best. It could celebrate the Furius Philus who participated in the defeat of rebellious Gauls prior to the invasion of Hannibal in 223 BCE, but his ancestor’s involvement was very minor, in fact he resigned his command! The final possibly is the just-achieved victory over the Gauls in 120 BCE, but a Furius Philus wasn’t involved, and it would have been highly unusual at this period to celebrate something so recent. This coin is an interesting puzzle!