FAUSTUS CORNELIUS SULLA. Denarius (56 BC). Rome.

Obv: FAVSTVS.
Diademed and draped bust of Diana right; lituus to left, crescent above.
Rev: FELIX.
Sulla seated left on raised seat; on left, Bocchus, king of Mauretania, kneels right, offering olive branch; to right, Jugurtha, king of Numidia, kneeling left, with hands tied behind him.

Crawford 426/1; RBW 1525.

Giugurta, prince of Numidia, received part of the kingdom from the uncle Micipsa, together with his sons, Hiempsal and Adherbal. He killed the former and defeated Adherbal, who went to Rome to ask for help. The Senate sent a commission led by Lucius Opimius, who proceeded to divide the kingdom. The richest part, bordering the Roman province, was given to Adherbal; the westernmost part to Jugurtha. Soon the two princes were again in conflict and Adherbal was killed (112 BC). Rome then declared war on Jugurtha and sent first L.C. Bestia, then Q. Caecilius Metellus (later known as Metellus Numidicus), who achieved an important victory in 108 BC. In 107 BC, Marius was elected consul and led another campaign against Jugurtha, who had meanwhile allied himself with Bocchus of Mauretania. In the end, Bocchus betrayed Jugurtha and handed him over to L. Cornelius Sulla, sent by Marius, who dragged him in chains to Rome in 104. This Denarius was struck by Faustus, son of Lucius Cornelius Sulla.

Condition: Near extremely fine.

Weight: 3.99 g.
Diameter: 19 mm.