Aureus Mussidia: Lucius Mussidius Longus, L·MVSSIDI LONGI

Lucius Mussidius Longus served as one of several moneyers appointed under the tresviri monetales during the chaotic period following Caesar's assassination, when the triumviral authorities were simultaneously funding armies and fighting a propaganda war through coinage. The RRC 494 series is extraordinarily broad — Crawford lists dozens of distinct types struck by multiple moneyers in a compressed window — reflecting the sheer volume of gold required to pay soldiers loyal to Octavian and Antony ahead of Philippi in 42 BC.

The 44b subtype within Mussidius Longus's output is distinguished by die-link specifics catalogued by Crawford, separating it from the commoner 44a.