Coin (reverse), Denarius, of Lucius Hostilius Saserna

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This silver coin was minted in Rome by Lucius Hostilius Saserna in 48 BC. It is a type called a denarius, the most common Roman silver coin. This picture shows the reverse of the coin.

Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt who became identified with the Roman Diana, holds a spear in one hand and places her other on the head of a stag. The legends 'L.HOSTILIVS' on the left and 'SASERNA' on the right refer to the moneyer.

Artemis was the chief goddess of Massalia, a Greek colony in southern Gaul. In the Civil War, Massalia declared for Pompey and Caesar besieged the city. When it submitted in 49 BC, Caesar allowed it to remain free, but took most of its lands.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-000-087-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1934.45
• Date: 48 BC
  
• Material: Silver. Inscription: Obv. Female head r., with long hair; behind, carnyx / Rev. Artemis facing, holding spear in l. hand, placing r. hand on head of stag; on r., L.HOSTILIVS downwards; on l., SASERNA upwards
  Coin, denarius
  
• Dimensions: 20.00 mm D / Die Axis: 7.5
  
• What: Coin, denarius
  
• Subject: Ancient Coin Collection
  
• Who: Artemis
  
• Where: Italy, Rome
  
• Event:
• Description: Silver denarius of the Roman Republic, Rome, 48 BC
  
• References:
  • Crawford, M.H. Roman Republican Coinage. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1976. 
• Translations:
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