Roman Denarius Coin

Inv. No.: c040
Provenance: L. Marcius Censorinus
Date: 82-81 B.C.
Weight: 3.48g
 
Obv.: Apollo, laureate.

Rev.: The satyr Marsyas, walking, carrying wine-skin on shoulder; right arm raised; behind, draped figure on column.
L.CENSOR

The coin recalls a famous incident in Greek mythology. Marsyas challenged Apollo in an oboe-playing contest, lost, and was flayed alive by his opponent.

The reverse type is also a pun on the name of the moneyer, a member of the gens Marcia. Cf. coin 47.

Comparanda:
S 737.