logo_moneymuseum

Roman Republic, Denarius

back

Roman Republic, Denarius (obverse) Roman Republic, Denarius (reverse)

The obverse of this denarius from the year 141 BC shows the head of Roma, the personification of Rome. Behind her is the mark XVI for the value 16 (asses).

Since its first issue in the year 211 BC the denarius was valued at 10 bronze asses. This was expressed in the name, as the word denarius derived from Latin 'deni' for 'containing ten.' The value was indicated by the digit X behind Roma's helmet. However, by about 140 BC the as had lost so much of its value, that denarius was now rated at 16 asses. The name and declaration of value remained the same, except for a few denarii that bore the indication XVI as face value. This is one of these coins.

The reverse depicts Victoria, the goddess of victory, driving a two-horse chariot called a biga. Below is the inscription C. TITINI, supposedly the signature of the moneyer Gaius Titinius, and the word ROMA.

back

Signet Sunflower Foundation