1. C.NumoniusVala, known only from coins, from which it appears that he had obtained renown by storming a vallum, and had hence obtained the surname of Vala, which, according to the usual custom, became hereditary in his family. The coins were struck by one of his descendants in commemoration of the exploit. The one annexed has on the obverse the head of Numonius, with C. NVMONIVS VAALA, and on the reverse a man storming the vallum of a camp, which is defended by two others, with VAALA. Vaala is an ancient form of Vala, just as on the coins of Sulla we find Feelix instead of Felix. (Eckhel, vol. v. p. 263.)
A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology
Smith, William
A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890