L HOSTILIUS SASERNA SILVER DENARIUS – VERCINGETORIX GALLIC PORTRAIT ISSUE OF 48 BC – XF NGC GRADED ROMAN IMPERATORIAL COIN (Inv. 20263)

$2,575.00

20263. ROMAN IMPERATORIAL. L. HOSTILIUS SASERNA, 48 BC.
Silver Denarius, 3.86 g, 20 mm.
Obv. Head of a Gaul (perhaps Vercingetorix) with flowing hair to right, shield at left. Rev. [L HOSTILIVS] SASERN, Gallic warrior holding spear standing left in galloping biga right, driver holding reins and whip.
Crawford 448/2a; Sydenham 952.
NGC graded XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 5/5, elegant charcoal gray old cabinet toning.

The famous type of this denarius reflects the Roman gaze upon the defeated Gauls in the aftermath of the Gallic Wars (58–50 BC). The obverse of the denarius is widely believed to represent Vercingetorix, the last great Gallic chieftain to defy Rome.