Coin (reverse), Denarius, of Marcus Sergius Silus

Add to album

This silver coin was minted in Rome by Marcus Sergius Silus in 116 or 115 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 a horseman holding a sword and a severed head. Below is the letter Q, indicating that the coin was issued by a quaestor (a financial official), who is identified as 'M. SERGI SILVS'.

Later coins of the Republic often had reverse designs alluding to the importance of the moneyer's family. This coin refers to an ancestor in the 2nd Punic War (218-201 BC), who had a right arm of iron, shown here holding the head of an enemy.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-190-000-373-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C15109
• Date: 116 - 115
  116 or 115 BC
  
• Material: Silver; both sides very slightly off-centre; slight to moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. Helmeted head of Roma to right; behind, ROMA, downwards, and star; in front, EX . S . C, upwards / Rev. Horseman to left, holding sword and severed head; below, Q / M
  Coin Type: Crawford 286/1
  Coin, denarius
  
• Dimensions: 18.00 x 17.00 mm D / Die Axis: 6.0
  
• What: Coin Type: Crawford 286/1
  Coin, denarius
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: M. Sergius Silus (Maker)
  Roma
  
• Where: Italy, Rome
  Roman Republic
  
• Event:
• Description: Silver denarius of Rome, struck by M. Sergius Silus, 116 - 115 BC
  
• References:
  • Crawford, M.H. Roman Republican Coinage. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1976. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: