Coin (reverse), Denarius, of Quintus Antonius Balbus

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This silver coin was minted in Rome by Quintus Antonius Balbus in 83 or 82 BC. It is a type known as a denarius serratus, due to its serrated edge. It was a special issue, minted in his capacity as a Praetor (a judicial official).

The reverse depicts Victory in a vehicle called a quadriga, holding the reins and a palm-branch in her left hand and a wreath in her right. Below is the legend 'Q.ANTO. BALB', referring to the moneyer.

The design on both obverse and reverse probably relates to current events. The issue was probably ordered as part of the preparations to resist the advance of Sulla, with the design anticipating victory (a hope in which they were to be disappointed).

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-000-094-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1960.335
• Date: 83 - 82 BC
  83 or 82 BC
  
• Material: Silver. Inscription: Obv. Laureate head of Jupiter r.; behind, S.C downwards; before, control-mark, T with dot to right / Rev. Victory in quadriga r., holding reins and palm-branch in l. hand and wreath in r. hand; in exergue, Q.ANTO. BALB
  Coin, denarius
  
• Dimensions: 19.00 mm D / Die Axis: 4.5
  
• What: Coin, denarius
  
• Subject: Ancient Coin Collection
  
• Who: Jupiter
  Victory
  
• Where: Italy, Rome
  
• Event:
• Description: Silver denarius of the Roman Republic, Rome, 83 - 82 BC
  
• References:
  • Crawford, M.H. Roman Republican Coinage. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1976. 
• Translations:
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