Social War. Coinage of the Marsic Confederation. 90-88 BC.

AR Denarius (19mm, 4.03 g). Corfinium mint. Struck 90 BC.

Laureate head of Italia left

Youth kneeling by standard, holding pig at which eight soldiers (four on each side) point their swords; P in exergue.

Campana 72 (D45/R62); Sydenham 621. VF, toned.

From the Karl Sifferman Collection.

The revolt of Rome's Italian allies (socii, hence "Social War") broke out toward the close of the year 91 BC and was the culmination of longstanding grievances occasioned by the Senate's inept handling of relations of Rome's Italian allies. The Marsi were especially prominent in this movement, hence the name "Marsic Confederation" which is often applied to the rebel state. The coinage of the Marsic Confederation is of great interest, consisting principally of silver denarii, some of which bear the names of the rebel generals. The reverse depicts an oath-taking scene symbolizing the unity of the confederation of Italian states. Interestingly, the entire coin type is closely modeled on an issue of the moneyer Tiberius Veturius whose coinage is dated by Crawford (234/1) to circa 137 BC. Veturius' reverse shows two soldiers taking the oath and is generally interpreted as referring to an agreement made with the Samnites in 321 BC (treaty of Caudium). This would have made it especially appropriate for an issue of rebels demanding Rome honor its agreements.