Crawford 333/1, Roman Republic, C. Egnatuleius, Quinarius

Roman Republic (Rome mint 97 BC.), C. Egnatuleius.
AR Quinarius (1.91 g, 15-17 mm).
Obv.: C. EGNATVLEI. [C. F.] (NAT and VL in monogram) Q , Laureate head of Apollo r.
Rev.: Q / ROMA Victory l. inscribing shield attached to trophy; Carnyx (Gallic/Germanic war trumpet) at base of trophy.
Crawford 333/1 ; Syd. 588 ; Bab. Egnatuleia 1 ; BMC 1076 .

The obverse of this coin shows the laureate head of Apollo, the god of health, literature and fine arts, along with the name of the moneyer Caius EGnATVLEIus Caii Filius, “Caius Egnatuleius, the son of the elder Caius.” This moneyer is only known from his coins and was the sole member of his family to have held the office of moneyer. The Q stands for quinarius, the denomination of this coin. The reverse depicts Victoria standing, inscribing a shield which is attached to a trophy. The coin refers to Marius' victories over the Teutones and Ambrones at Aquae Sextiae in 102 B.C. and the Cimbri at Vercellae in 101 B.C. Crawford believes this issue financed settlement of Marius' veterans, partly in Cisalpine Gaul. Q once again identifies the denomination while ROMA appears in the exergue.