ROMAN REPUBLIC
C Hosidius Geta, moneyer
AR Denarius. 3.83g, 18.1mm
MINTED: Rome mint, 64 BC
REF: Crawford 407/2
OBVERSE: Draped bust of Diana right, wearing stephane, earring, and double necklace of pendants; bow and quiver over shoulder; III VIR down left, GETA down right.
REVERSE: Calydonian Boar standing right, pierced by spear and harried by hound below; C HOSIDI C F in exergue.

Grade/Notes:
Good Fine. Attractive dark cabinet toning.
 
Historical Notes: 
The reverse of this issue is a mythological type. It depicts the hunting of the Calydonian Boar, a monstrous creature that terrorized Aetolia. Answering the call to kill the beast were some of Greece's most famous heroes, including Theseus, the Argonauts Meleager, Laertes (father of Odysseus) and Iphitus, and several sons of Greek kings and gods. During the hunt, it was Atalanta the huntress who succeeded in first wounding the boar, and Meleager, who was smitten by her, offered her its skin after it was slain. Other heroes disputed Atalanta's right to it, and in the violent quarrel that followed, many of the heroes turned on each other and were killed, including Meleager. 
 
It is not known why this moneyer chose this type for his issue. It's possible his family claimed descent from one of the heroes who participated in the Hunt, perhaps Atalanta herself, or even Diana, the goddess shown on the obverse, who had sent the Boar to Aetolia as to punish King Oeneus, Meleager's father, who had forgotten to sacrifice to her.