Coin (obverse), Denarius, of Lucius Cassius Longinus

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This silver coin was minted in Rome by Lucius Cassius Longinus in 78 BC. It is a type called a denarius, the most common Roman silver coin. This picture shows the obverse of the coin.

The obverse depicts Liber, the god of vegetation who later became associated with Bacchus, the god of wine and fertility. He wears an ivy-wreath and carries over his shoulder a thyrsus, a pole carried by Bacchus or others involved in Bacchic rites.

The silver denarius became the most common coin issued after the mid-2nd century BC. At first equal to 10 bronze asses, from around 141 BC it was valued at 16. Thereafter, the sestertius, equated at four to a denarius, was the unit of reckoning.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-065-689-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C15257
• Date: 78
  78 BC
  
• Material: Silver; reverse slightly off-centre; moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. Head of Liber to right, wearing ivy-wreath; thyrsus over shoulder / Rev. Head of Libera to left, wearing vine-wreath; on right, L . CASSI . Q . F, upwards
  Coin Type: Crawford 386/1
  Coin, denarius
  
• Dimensions: 18.00 x 19.50 mm D / Die Axis: 8.0
  
• What: Coin Type: Crawford 386/1
  Coin, denarius
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: L. Cassius Longinus (Maker)
  Liber
  Libera
  
• Where: Italy, Rome
  Roman Republic
  
• Event:
• Description: Silver denarius of Rome, minted by L. Cassius Longinus, 78 BC
  
• References:
  • Crawford, M.H. Roman Republican Coinage. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1976. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: