Obverse: Head of Juno Sospita facing right, clad in goat's skin, S C behind.

Reverse: Juno Sospita in biga right, brandishing spear and holding shield, snake below, L PROCILI F in ex.

RRC: 379/2. Sear: 307. CRR: 772. RSC: Procilia 2. [Rome, 80 BC].

Diameter: 19 mm. Weight: 4.0 g.

A stunning silver denarius serratus of L. Procilius L.f., struck in 80 BC. The obverse with a portrait of the goddess Juno Sospita wearing her distinctive goat's skin headdress. The reverse also depicts Juno Sospita, this time dressed for war, in a chariot drawn by two horses. It is likely that the moneyer Procilius was a resident of the city of Lanuvium as Juno Sospita was the patron goddess. This interpretation is further evidenced by the image of the erect serpent below the horses’ hooves. Lanuvium had a local snake-cult associated with the worship of Juno Sospita. Every year, young women from the town were selected to descend into a long, dark cave carrying food for Juno's sacred serpent. The serpent would reject the offerings if any girl was not a virgin. If, however, the serpent accepted the offerings, the city would be blessed with a fertile year. This coin is in superb condition, well centred with sharp details.