Add to albumThis silver coin was minted in Rome by Lucius Aemilius Buca in 44 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 Sulla, the famous general and dictator, reclining on a couch. To his right is the goddess Luna. Behind, Victory holds a staff. The design has been interpreted as portraying a dream Sulla had before his march on Rome in 88 BC.
The Romans needed coins for one main purpose - to pay the salaries of her huge military force - but also to pay the salaries of her officials and to fund public works. In the late Republic, aristocrats increasing used coins for luxuries and bribes.
Record details
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- Online ID: 000-190-000-051-C
- Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
- Project:
National Museums Scotland
Project description View all records in project
- Ref: National Museums Scotland A.1915.160
- Date: 44 BC
- Material: Silver. Inscription: Obv. Head of Venus r., wearing diadem; behind, L.BVCA downwards / Rev. Sulla reclining; on r., Luna; behind, Victory with outspread wings, holding staff in raised r. hand
Coin, denarius
- Dimensions: 18.50 mm D / Die Axis: 4.5
- What: Coin, denarius
- Subject: Ancient Coin Collection
- Who: Luna
Sulla
Venus
Victory
- Where: Italy, Rome
- Event:
- Description: Silver denarius of the Roman Republic, Rome, 44 BC
- References:
- Crawford, M.H. Roman Republican Coinage. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1976.
- Translations:
- Related Records: