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Roman Republic, Denarius

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

This denarius was issued in 76 BC, supposedly in Spain during the war against Sertorius

Sertorius was a Roman who had established an independent republic in Spain. Rome's attempts to stop him escalated in a lasting conflict (80-72 BC). This is what the Genius Populi Romani (recognizable by the letters G.P.R above his head) on the obverse signifies: The 'Spirit of the Roman People' called upon all Romans to engage in the war against their renegade compatriot.

The image on the reverse invokes a triumph, symbolized by the sceptre and the laurel wreath. Victory had to be won on land and on water, which is what the globe and the rudder stand for. The coin was issued by Cn. Cornelius Lentulus Marcellinus (CN LEN) in his role as quaestor (Q).

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