Coin (reverse), Denarius, of Marcus Caecilius Quinti filius Quinti nepos Metellus

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This silver coin was minted in Rome in 127 BC by Marcus Caecilius Metellus, son of Quintus, grandson of Quintus. It is a type called a denarius, the most common Roman silver coin. This picture shows the reverse of the coin.

The reverse depicts a Macedonian shield, decorated with an elephant's head. Around this is the inscription 'M. METELLVS. Q. F' (an abbreviation of the moneyer's name). A laurel wreath forms a border around the coin.

Early Roman coins generally had religious representations on the reverse, but later more secular types, as here, appear. The design on this coin relates to victories gained by the Caecilia family during the Punic War in 250 BC and Macedonia in 148 BC.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-000-369-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C15074
• Date: 127
  127 BC
  
• Material: Silver; obverse slightly off-centre; mostly moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. Helmeted head of Roma to right; behind, ROMA, downwards; star below chin / Rev. Macedonian shield, decorated with elephant's head; around, M . METELLVS . Q .. F .; all within lau
  Coin Type: Crawford 263/1b
  Coin, denarius
  
• Dimensions: 17.00 x 17.50 mm D / Die Axis: 6.0
  
• What: Coin Type: Crawford 263/1b
  Coin, denarius
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: M. Caecilius Q. f. Q. n. Metellus (Maker)
  Rome
  
• Where: Italy, Rome
  Roman Republic
  
• Event:
• Description: Silver denarius of Rome, minted by M. Caecilius Q. f. Q. n. Metellus, 127 BC
  
• References:
  • Crawford, M.H. Roman Republican Coinage. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1976. 
• Translations:
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