Obverse: Mask of Medusa facing, flanked by coiled serpents, L PLAVTIVS below.

Reverse: Aurora flying right, head slightly left, holding reins and leading four rearing horses of the sun; PLANCVS below.

RRC: 453/1. Sear: 429. CRR: 959. RSC: Plautia 14-15c. [Rome, 47 BC].

Diameter: 20 mm. Weight: 3.6 g.

A rare and very beautiful Republican silver denarius struck by the moneyer L. Plautius Plancus in 47 BC. The obverse depicting a mask of the Gorgon Medusa with serpents coiled in her hair. The reverse type shows Aurora, goddess of the dawn, holding the reins of the four horses of the sun as she leads them through the sky. Remarkably, this reverse can be tied to a specific ancient work of art: a painting by the 4th century BC artist Nikomachos of Thebes, apparently in the possession of the Munatii and possibly the personal property of Plautius Plancus. An excellent example of this scarce and often poorly-struck type, well centred with excellent details and attractive toning.