Ave!

Cn. Porcius Cato, Denarius, Victory in Biga, OMG! Look!

AR; 18mm/3.5gm      Rome - c. 123 BC

Con/ Struck on a tight flan with a very clear reverse; some porosity and banker's mark on the obverse, otherwise, about Very Fine. 

Obv/ Helmeted head of Roma right, X behind.

Rev/ Victory in biga right holding reins and whip; C • CATO below, ROMA in exergue.

Ref/ Crawford 274/1, Syd 417

Seller's Note/ Read closely as this issue has great historical importance!

Marcus Porcius Cato (Cato the Elder) was a Roman statesman and soldier who fought in the Second Punic War and aggressively championed the destruction of Carthage to trigger the Third Punic War. He famously concluded all his Senate speeches with the phrase "Carthago delenda est"—"Carthage must be destroyed!"

Following the Second Punic War, Cato visited Carthage as a Roman diplomat in 157 BC. He was alarmed by the city's rapid economic recovery and worried it posed a renewed threat to Rome. Upon returning to Rome, he made it his mission to convince the Senate to launch a preemptive strike. His relentless campaigning succeeded, culminating in the outbreak of the Third Punic War in 149 BC, the very same year that Cato died, most likely a very happy man.

WOW!