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Roman Republic, Denarius Serratus

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

The obverse of this denarius from the year 71 BC depicts Virtus, the personification of virtue. The reverse features a warrior raising a fallen woman. It is not a real person, but the personification of Sicily, as the legend SICIL shows. There the grandfather of this coin's moneyer had put an end to a slave revolt in the year 101 BC, and thus helped the province back 'onto its feet.' In doing so, thus the belief of his grandson, he had had the help of Virtus: In Roman mythology, she was the deity of bravery and military strength.

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Signet Sunflower Foundation