logo_moneymuseum

Roman Republic, Denarius Serratus

back

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

The obverse of this denarius depicts Hispania, the personification of Spain, wearing a veil. On the reverse is a man clad in a toga, his right hand raised. He stands between military and civilian symbols – the legionary eagle and judicial symbol of fasces (rods bound with an axe).

The legend A. POST. A. F. S. N. ALBIN identifies the moneyer Aulus Postumius Auli filius Spurii nepos Albinus – Aulus Postumius Albinus, son of Aulus, grandson of Spurius.

Most coins of the Roman Republic were issued by special officials, the moneyers. They were allowed to commission their own designs, which often referred to famous ancestors. This one supposedly alludes to Lucius Postumius Albinus, a forbear of our moneyer, who had been praetor in Spain in 180 BC.

back

Signet Sunflower Foundation