Coin (obverse), Denarius, probably of Sextus Pompeius

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This silver coin was minted in Rome, probably by Sextus Pompeius, in 137 BC. It is a type called a denarius, the most common Roman silver coin. This picture shows the obverse of the coin.

The obverse portrays Roma, the goddess and personification of Rome, wearing a helmet. Behind her is a jug, and before her the letter X, a mark of value.

Each obverse and reverse die used for the Roman Republican coinage appears to have been individually made. The metal on the die was probably hammered out, then engraved. The dies were struck onto coin blanks which were made in open moulds.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-078-543-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1932.439
• Date: 137 BC
  
• Material: Silver. Inscription: Obv. Helmeted head of Roma r.; behind, jug; before, mark of value / Rev. She-wolf r., suckling twins; behind, tree, with three birdson l., Faustulus, onr., [SEX.POM]; in exergue, ROMA
  Coin, denarius
  
• Dimensions: 20.00mm D / Die Axis: 4.5
  
• What: Coin, denarius
  
• Subject: Ancient Coin Collection
  
• Who: Roma
  
• Where: Italy, Rome
  
• Event:
• Description: Silver denarius of the Roman Republic, Rome, 137 BC
  
• References:
  • Crawford, M.H. Roman Republican Coinage. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1976. 
• Translations:
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