Summary

Denarius, Issued by Ancient Roman Republic, 114 or 113 BC
Moneyer: C. FONT (C. Fonteius)
Minted in Rome

Obverse Description

Janiform heads of the Dioscuri, denomination and control marks off flan or worn away

Reverse Description

Ship being rowed to the left, tall figure holding rudder at back

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

It is argued that the obverse depicts a Janiform head of the Dioscuri rather than Janus himself as the moneyer, C. Fonteius, as a member of the gens Fonteia, originated at Tusculum, the main cult-centre of the Dioscuri in Latium. This is supported by the occurance of another issue about five years later by the moneyer Mn. Fonteius (suggested to be the brother or cousin of this moneyer) which repeats the ship reverse but has the Dioscuri heads conjoined for its obverse (Crawford 307). The wear on this coin shows that it saw a long period in circulation.

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