Roman Republic - Purpurio denarius 169 BC! (AP2651)

Furius Purpurio (169-158 BC). AR denarius (20mm, 3.73 gm, 18 mm). Rome. Helmeted head of Roma right; behind, denomination mark / PVR below, ROMA raised on tablet in exergue, Luna driving galloping in biga right; above, murex shell. Crawford 187/1. Sydenham 424. Furia 13. Good fine

The murex shell symbol makes a punning allusion to the moneyer's name. The shells, found mainly around the southern Mediterranean coastline, were left to decompose and the purple ink which resulted was used to make purple dye. This dye was highly valued throughout the ancient world, and used in Rome to colour the senatorial togas.