Roman Republic. L. Aurelius Cotta. Rome, 105 BC

AR Denarius, 3.35g (19mm, 9h). Bust of Vulcan r., draped and wearing cap bound with laurel wreath, with tongs over shoulder, behind *; below chin, A, around wreath / Eagle on thunderbolt r.; below, L. COT; around, laurel wreath, border of dots.References: Crawford 314/1b. Albert 1114. BMCRR 1296. Aurelia 27Grade: Overall slightly soft, minor marks but no serious issues. VF+ (rr1206)Crawford notes that the obverse type alludes to the capture of Lipara by a relative, C. Aurelius Cotta, Cos. 252. The reverse type to the triumph as well. There is a well known bronze coin (SNG Copenhagen 1084) with a heroic looking Aiolos and a prow on the reverse. It is true that there are some similarities to the cap worn by Vulcan. That said, Roman Republican scholar and professor, Liz Yarrow, makes a better argument for Malaka in Spain which almost mirrors the obverse type perfectly. She also is unable to find a compelling argument for the striking similarity but I like her investigative skills. Here is a link to her blog: https://livyarrow.org/tag/roman-republican-coinage/page/3/