TYPE Roman Republic, Cn. Cornelius Blasio Cn.f. (moneyer), 112-111 BC (ca. 105 BC by Syd.), silver denarius DESCRIPTION . Obv: Helmeted head of Scipio Africanus to right, symbol behind, star above, [...] CNF in front Rev: Jupiter with scepter and thunderbolt, standing between Juno and Minerva who crowns him with a wreath, legend ROMA in ex., Greek control letter "Y" to right of Jupiter REFERENCE: SR 231, Syd 561b, Cr 296/1d, Cor 19 GRADING: VF / F+, scratch over cheek and ear, bit unevenly toned ORDER INFO: R2597, $95 The Mars-like obverse portrait is often conjectured to be a rare representation the famous Roman general Scipio Africanus; the somewhat unflaterring "patrician" style would indeed suggest rather the customary "mask" of a deceased ancestor than an effigy of an idealized god. Scipio was the Roman hero of the Second Punic War, having stepped in at a crucial moment in 210 BC, driving Hannibal's forces out of Spain in 206, and leading the invasion of Africa capped by the final blow to Carthaginians delivered at the battle of Zama in 202 BC. In addition, interesting reverse composition with three leading gods.