M. Lucilius Rufus, 101 BCE, AR denarius. Rome, 3.93g, 20mm.
Obv: PV; Head of Roma right, wearing winged helmet.
Rev: RVF / M LVCILI; Victory in biga right.
Crawford 324/1.
From the JB (Edmonton) collection, acquired from Calgary Coin in 2005.

In this year, Gaius Marius ended a major threat to the Roman Republic by defeating a combined Germanic-Celtic army at the Battle of Vercellae. This achievement secured his status as First Man in Rome, and resulted in his being elected consul an unprecedented seven times. The transition from Republic to Empire had begun.