Roman Republic Denarius Q. Cassius Longinus Very Fine

Roman Republic denarius Q. Cassius Longinus struck at Rome 55 BC. 2 bankers marks on the obverse otherwise Very Fine. The reverse of this coin is an allusion to the second trial of the Vestal virgins prosecuted by the moneyer’s ancestor, Lucius Cassius Longinus Ravilla in 113 BC. The reverse is a depiction of the Temple of Vesta, where the trial was held. On the left is a voting urn, and a ballot (tabella) is on the right. It is inscribed A C for Absolvo Condemno (“acquitted” or “condemned”).

Quintus Cassius Longinus was the cousin or brother of Gaius Cassius Longinus, the assassin of Caesar, a moneyer  in 55 BC quaestor of Pompey in Hispania Ulterior the following year. In 49 BC he was a Tribune and strong supporter of Caesar who appointed him as  governor of Hispania Ulterior in 48BC. He term as governor was marked by cruelty and avarice and was brought to an end by the revolt of his own troops. He died in a ship wreck leaving the province. His tyranny in Hispania caused significant harm to the Caesarean cause.

Obverse: Q. CASSIVS, head of Libertas right; LIBERT behind
Reverse: Curule chair in circular temple of Vesta; urn left and voting tablet inscribed AC right
References: RRC428/2, RSC Cassia 8, RCV 390
Diameter: 19mm
Weight: 3.42 grams

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