• Finest Quality Ancient Greek, Roman & Byzantine Coins
  • Renaissance & 17th Century Dutch Medals
  • Auctions & Private Treaty Sales

Nomos 2

18 May 2010
Widder Hotel, Zürich
overview
Estimate: 2000 CHF
Hammer Price:  3100 CHF
Lot 160

C. Numonius Vaala. 41 BC. Denarius (Silver, 3.80 g 2), Rome. C.NVMONIVS VAALA Bare head of Numonius Vaala to right. Rev. VAALA Soldier, holding spear and shield, rushing left to attack a fortified stockade defended by two soldiers each bearing a sword and shield. Babelon (Numonia) 2. Crawford 514/2. CRI 322. Sydenham 1087. Very rare and with an excellent portrait. Good very fine.


The moneyer who issued this coin is unknown - as is his ancestor, whose portrait and exploit is portrayed on it. What presumably happened is that a Numonius was the first soldier to break through the walls of an enemy fortification, thus receiving the corona vallaris, a crown for being first over an enemy wall. This honor was then taken as the family’s cognomen in the form of Vaala. The portrait itself was presumably taken from a death mask or funeral bust still in the family’s possession.

Online bidding closes: 18 May 2010, 09:00:00 CEST Current Date & Time: 27 Apr 2024, 03:35:42 CEST Remaining Time: Closed Hammer Price:3100 CHF

Pre-Bidding closes on 18 Mai 2010 at 9:00 CEST. Live bidding starts at 14:00 CET and is EXCLUSIVELY available on biddr. Separate registration is required.

An error has occurred. This application may no longer respond until reloaded. Reload 🗙
Reconnecting, please wait...