Coin (obverse), Denarius, of Cnaeus Lentulus

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This silver denarius was minted by Cnaeus Lentulus in either 76 or 75 BC, perhaps in Spain. It was a special issue, authorised by the Senate and struck by him in his position as a quaestor (financial official). This picture shows the obverse of the coin.

The obverse depicts a male figure, identified as Genius Populi Romani by the letters above him, carrying a sceptre over a shoulder. He is 'The Genius of the people of Rome', worshipped as the spiritual representation of the place and nation.

This issue was struck during the war against Sertorius, who had built up a power base in Spain, increasingly independent of Rome. Rome's attempts to stop him, under Metellus and then also Pompey, escalated into a large and expensive conflict.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-065-699-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C15267
• Date: 76 - 75
  76 or 75 BC
  
• Material: Silver; slight to moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. Draped male bust to right (Genius Populi Romani), with sceptre over shoulder; G . P . R above / Rev. Sceptre with wreath, globe, and rudder; EX on left; S C on right; CN . LEN . Q below
  Coin Type: Crawford 393/1a
  Coin, denarius
  
• Dimensions: 18.00 mm D / Die Axis: 6.0
  
• What: Coin Type: Crawford 393/1a
  Coin, denarius
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: Cn. Lentulus (Maker)
  Genius Populi Romani
  
• Where: Roman Republic
  Spain?
  
• Event:
• Description: Silver denarius of Rome, minted in Spain (?) by Cn. Lentulus, 76 - 75 BC
  
• References:
  • Crawford, M.H. Roman Republican Coinage. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1976. 
• Translations:
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