Coin (reverse), Denarius, of Quintus Pomponius Musa

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This silver coin was minted in Rome by Quintus Pomponius Musa in 66 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 Terpsichore, the Muse of lyric poetry and dancing, holding a lyre in her left hand and a plectrum in her right. The legend 'Q.POMPONI' on the left and 'MVSA' on the right refer to the moneyer about whom nothing else is known.

The reverse designs of the 10 issues struck by this moneyer depict Hercules and the nine Muses. The Muses represented individual arts and sciences, inspiring poets and artists. Terpsichore was said to have invented the lyre.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-002-001-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1915.134
• Date: 66 BC
  
• Material: Silver. Inscription: Obv. Laureate head of Apollo r.; bbehind, tortoise or flower / Rev. Terpiscore r., square lyre in l. hand; on l. Q.POMPONI downwards; on r., MVSA downwards
  Coin, denarius
  
• Dimensions: 17.50 mm D / Die Axis: 6.0
  
• What: Coin, denarius
  
• Subject: Ancient Coin Collection
  
• Who: Apollo
  Terpischore
  
• Where: Italy, Rome
  
• Event:
• Description: Silver denarius of the Roman Republic, Rome, 66 BC
  
• References:
  • Crawford, M.H. Roman Republican Coinage. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1976. 
• Translations:
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