Coin (reverse), Denarius, of Marcus PorciusCato

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This silver coin was minted in Africa by Marcus Porcius Cato in 47 or 46 BC. It is a type called a denarius, the most common Roman silver coin. This picture shows the reverse of the coin.

The reverse depicts Victory holding a pan (patera) and palm-branch, an identification made explicit by the legend 'VICTRIX' (she who conquers) below. The designs of this side and the reverse copy that of an issue minted by a relation in 89 BC.

In the troubled years of the Civil War, commanders on each side minted their own coins, mainly to pay their troops. Despite the anticipated outcome forecast on this side, Cato and his allies were decisively defeated in 46 BC by Caesar's forces.

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• Online ID: 000-100-065-774-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C15342
• Date: 47 - 46
  47 or 46 BC
  
• Material: Silver; both sides slightly off-centre, especially obverse; moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. Head of Liber to right, wearing ivy-wreath; around, M . CAT [O .] PRO . PR / Rev. Victory seated right, holding patera and palm-branch; VICTRIX in exergue (TR lig
  Coin Type: Crawford 462/2
  Coin, quinarius
  
• Dimensions: 14.00 mm D / Die Axis: 2.0
  
• What: Coin Type: Crawford 462/2
  Coin, quinarius
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: Liber
  M. Porcius Cato (Maker)
  Victory
  
• Where: Africa
  Roman Republic
  
• Event:
• Description: Silver denarius of Rome, minted in Africa by M. Porcius Cato, 47 - 46 BC
  
• References:
  • Crawford, M.H. Roman Republican Coinage. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1976. 
• Translations:
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