Crawford 316/1, Roman Republic, L. Thorius Balbus, Denarius

Roman Republic (Rome mint 105 BC.), L. Thorius Balbus.
AR Denarius (3.94 g, 19-21 mm).
Obv.: head of Head of Juno Sospita, the Juno of Lanuvium, wearing right, clad in goat's skin, I•S•M•R behind.
Rev.: Bull charging right, control-letter O above, L·THORIVS below, BALBVS in exergue.
Crawford 316/1 ; Sydenham 598 ; Bab. Thoria 1 .

Juno Sospita, the goddess from Lanuvium, had a broad range of responsibilities. Juno in her attribute as Sospita was the protecting genius of women accompanying them through life from birth to death. Juno Sospita was characterised by her goatskin coat and headdress with the horns of a goat, also the points of her shoes were turned up. She was armed with a shield and a lance to protect worshippers. This shield was of an unusual shape, like the body of a violin. This type was traditionally thought by the Romans to have fallen to earth during a pestilence in the reign of Numa in the 7th century BC. The famous groves and temple to Juno Sospita are located in Lanuvium, some 20 miles south-east of Rome. Antonininus Pius and Commodus were both born in this city. Many prominent Roman families who lived in the city were moneyers and issued coins honoring Juno Sospita.