Forgery of coin (reverse), Denarius, of Lucius Hostilius Saserna

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This picture shows the reverse of a forgery of a Roman coin, possibly made in Roman times. The model it was based on was minted in Rome by Lucius Hostilius Saserna in 48 BC. It is a type called a denarius, the most common Roman silver coin.

The reverse depicts a vehicle called a biga, driven by a charioteer and bearing a warrior holding a shield and hurling a spear. The legend 'L.HOSTILIVS' above refers to the moneyer. On other coins it is continued below with 'SASERN.' or 'SASERNA'.

The moneyer is one of three brothers who all supported Caesar in the Civil War against Pompey. The vehicle driven here is possibly meant to represent a British one, encountered when Caesar invaded Britain in 55 BC.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-000-096-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1960.755
• Date: 48 BC
  as of 48 BC
  
• Material: Silver; fairly worn. Inscription: Obv.: No legend; bearded draped bust to right; Gallic shield behind. Rev.: L . HOSTILIVS [SASERN(A)]; biga to right, driven by charioteer and bearing warrior holding shield and hurling spear
  Coin Type: as Crawford 448/2a or 448/2b
  Coin, denarius / forgery
  
• Dimensions: Diameter 18.50 x 16.50 mm; weight 3.55 g; die axis 7.0
  
• What: Coin Type: as Crawford 448/2a or 448/2b
  Coin, denarius / forgery
  
• Subject: Coins and currency
  
• Who: as of L. Hostilius Saserna (moneyer) (Maker)
  
• Where: Roman Republic
  uncertain mint
  
• Event:
• Description: Forgery of a silver denarius, Roman Republic, as of 48 BC
  
• References:
  • Crawford, M.H. Roman Republican Coinage. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1976. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: