Denarius minted in Rome in 88 BC by one of the monetary triumvirs (latin: tres viri monetales) that year, Gnaeus Cornelius Lentulus Clodianus.
Roman Republic
Cn. Cornelius Lentulus Clodianus, Denar 88 BC, Rome mint
Obverse: helmeted bust of Mars facing right
Reverse: Victory driving galloping biga right, holding wreath and reins
CN LENTVL
Weight 3.76 g
The year of minting the denarius is the year when Rome has actually won the so-called a war with allies (Latin bellum sociale). Also this year, Sulla came to Rome and imposed laws to strengthen the senate and abbots. Victoria, shown on the reverse, may well be regarded as a nod to the iconographic tradition of denarii, as an allusion to earlier victories in the East, to victories over the Samnites, and to the hope of victory in the war with Mithridates. Gnaeus Lentulus belonged to the conservative party of the optimats.
