Add to albumThis silver coin was minted in Rome by Lucius Iulius Caesar, son of Lucius, in 103 BC. It is a type called a denarius, the most common Roman silver coin. This picture shows the obverse of the coin.
The obverse depicts the head of Mars, the god of war, wearing a helmet. Behind is the inscription 'CAESAR' written upwards. The design of the obverse is similar to that on coins struck by Quintus Minucius Thermus also in 103 BC.
In the Republic, coins were minted in bronze, silver and gold, though gold issues were rare. The silver denarius became the most common coin after the mid-2nd century BC. At first equal to 10 bronze asses, it later was valued at 16.
Record details
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- Online ID: 000-100-065-590-C
- Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
- Project:
National Museums Scotland
Project description View all records in project
- Ref: National Museums Scotland H.C15158
- Date: 103
103 BC
- Material: Silver; both sides off-centre; slight wear. Inscription: Obv. Helmeted head of Mars to left; behind, CAESAR, upwards / Rev. Venus in biga of Cupids to left, holding sceptre; pellet and P above; lyre below; in exergue, [L .] IVLI . L . F
Coin Type: Crawford 320/1
Coin, denarius
- Dimensions: 16.00 x 17.00 mm D / Die Axis: 2.0
- What: Coin Type: Crawford 320/1
Coin, denarius
- Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
- Who: L. Iulius Caesar (Maker)
Mars
Venus
- Where: Italy, Rome
Roman Republic
- Event:
- Description: Silver denarius of Rome, struck by L. Iulius Caesar, 103 BC
- References:
- Crawford, M.H. Roman Republican Coinage. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1976.
- Translations:
- Related Records: