COIN (ROMAN)
Silver, Roman republican denarius, Rome, moneyer: L. Thorius Balbus, 105 BC, Crawford, 1974, vol. 1, p. 323 (number 316/1) and vol 2, plate XLII, slight nick on the edge of the obverse, mass: 18.2g, diameter: 3.4g.
Ruler: Republic
Moneyer: Thorius Balbus, L.
Denomination: Denarius (Roman Republic)
Material: Silver
Mint: Rome
Obverse: Head of Juno Sospita r., wearing goat-skin. Border of dots.
Obverse legend: ISMR downwards
Reverse: Bull charging r. Border of dots.
Reverse legend: L.THORIVS, in exergue BALBVS. Control mark above bull.
Dated: -105.0 to -105.0
Weight (g): 3.4
Diameter (mm): 18.2
Completeness: Complete
Parish: Restricted Access
District: Lichfield
County: Staffordshire
Region: West Midlands
Place known as: Lichfield CP
Discovery method: Metal detector
RRC reference: rrc-316.1
Notes: Crawford, 1974, vol I, p.323 comments that the control marks are the letters of the latin alphabet; each control letter may have had several dies.  He adds that the obverse type alludes to the cult of Juno Sospita at Lanuvium, the place of origin of the moneyer.  The reverse type is usually held to allude to the moneyer's nomen by way of the word taurus.