Lot 256: Q. Pompeius Rufus. 54 B.C. AR denarius. Rome.

Q. Pompeius Rufus. 54 B.C. AR denarius (17 mm, 3.58 g, 4 h). Rome. bare head of the consul Q. Pompeius Rufus right / SVLLA · COS, bare head of Sulla right. Crawford 434/1; Sydenham 908; Pompeia 4. Light porosity. Very fine. 

The portrait of Sulla on this coin is the only known portrait of the infamous Roman dictator. The moneyer was his grandson, and although the coin was struck a quarter century after the dictator's death, the portrait of Sulla was almost certainly modeled on a bust or death mask to which the moneyer would have had access.

• Offered By: Barry P. Murphy
• Lot #: 256
• Listing #: 181962
• Closed: Friday, June 21, 2019 5:25:00 PM CT
• Estimate: $500