Roman Republic – Silver Denarius | P. Crepusius (82 BC) An iconic late-republican silver denarius struck during the dictatorship of Sulla, featuring a prominent Apollo obverse with control symbols and a dynamic depiction of the equine deity Mars on horseback. Issuer: Roman Republic (Moneyer: Publius Crepusius) Denomination: Silver Denarius Composition: Silver Mint: Rome Mint Catalog References: Crawford# 361/1c; Sydenham# 738a; RSC Crepusia# 1 Obverse (A): Laureate head of Apollo facing right, with a sceptre over his shoulder; control symbol/letter in left field and a control numeral behind or below the chin. Reverse (R): Horseman galoping right, brandishing a spear in his raised right hand; control number in upper left field, with the moneyer's signature P • CREPVSI inscribed in the exergue below. Historical Context & Numismatic Significance: Sulla's Civil War Era: Struck during 82 BC—the year Lucius Cornelius Sulla entered Rome and established his dictatorship—this coinage was part of a massive silver emission produced to fund military operations and pay legions. Complex Control Mark System: The coinage of Publius Crepusius is famous among Roman numismatists for its unusually elaborate system of die control marks (combining obverse symbols, letters, and reverse numerals), used by the mint to monitor production volume and ensure bullion purity across dozens of working dies.