Crawford 287/1, Roman Republic, 115-114 BC., Anonymous, Denarius

Roman Republic (Rome mint 115-114 BC.), Anonymous.
Denarius (20-21 mm, 3,76 g), silver, axis irregular alignment ?? (ca. 220°),
Obv.: Head of Roma right, wearing crested and winged Corinthian helmet; X (mark of value) behind.
Rev.: Roma seated right on pile of shields, wearing Corinthian helmet, holding spear; omen-birds flying right and left on either side, helmet below, lupa (she-wolf) suckling the twins Romulus and Remus before.
Crawford 287/1 ; Sydenham 530 ; BMCRR Italy 562 .
VF because of pits at lower obverse edge, otherwise VF – EF

One of the most beautiful republican denarii. This is the first time Roma appeared with Corinthian helmet on an obverse.
This iconic reverse design portrays the Roman foundation myth in a new manner – showing the goddess Roma watching over the twins Romulus and Remus as they are suckled by the she-wolf, waiting for the day that Rome will be built. When seeking the perfect location for their new city, the twins wandered across the seven hills (Aventine, Celio, Capitol, Esquiline, Palatine, Quirinal and Viminal). Remus wished to start the city on the Aventine Hill, while Romulus preferred the Palatine Hill. In order to decide which brother was right they agreed to consult augury, where birds are examined to see what the gods favored. Remus claimed to have seen six birds, whereas his brother had seen twelve. Even though Romulus had seen more birds, Remus argued that he had seen them first and therefore the city should be built on the Aventine Hill. Meanwhile, Romulus began to build a wall on his hill, which Remus decided to jump over. Angered by his brother’s action, Romulus killed him. According to the legend, this took place in 754 BC.