Coin (reverse), Denarius, of Cnaeus Domitius Calvinus

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This silver coin was minted at Osca in Spain by Cnaeus Domitius Calvinus in 39 BC, presumably after his victories there that year. It is a type called a denarius, the most common Roman silver coin. This picture shows the reverse of the coin.

The reverse depicts the symbols of a Pontifex: a ladle, sprinkler, axe and conical hat called an apex. The legend 'DOM.COS.ITER.IMP' below is an abbreviation of 'Domitius, consul iterum, imperator' ('consul again and imperator').

Calvinus was a religious, military and political leader. As the coin shows, he was elected Pontifex, one of the College of priests which oversaw religious matters. He was also Imperator (military leader) and consul for the second time in 40 BC.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-000-064-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1923.815
• Date: 39 BC
  
• Material: Silver. Inscription: Obv. Head of Hercules r.; behind, OSCA downwards / Rev. Simpulum, aspergillum, axe and apex; below, DOM.COS.ITER.IMP
  Coin, denarius
  
• Dimensions: 17.50 mm D / Die Axis: 1.5
  
• What: Coin, denarius
  
• Subject: Ancient Coin Collection
  
• Who: Hercules
  
• Where: Osca
  
• Event:
• Description: Silver denarius of the Roman Republic, Osca, 39 BC
  
• References:
  • Crawford, M.H. Roman Republican Coinage. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1976. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: