Coin (obverse), Denarius, perhaps of Lucius Marcius Philippus

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This silver coin was minted in Rome in 56 BC, perhaps by Lucius Marcius Philippus. It is a type called a denarius, the most common Roman silver coin. This picture shows the obverse of the coin.

The obverse depicts Ancus Marcius, wearing a diadem and identified by the legend 'ANCVS' below. He was an ancient Roman king from whom the moneyer's family claimed descent. Behind him is a lituus, a staff associated with Augurs.

Moneyers were able to commission designs, and many referred to famous ancestors or cults. The lituus suggests that either the moneyer or an ancestor was an Augur, a high post with responsibilities for observing portents and associated judicial functions.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-078-662-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1915.147
• Date: 56 BC
  
• Material: Silver. Inscription: Obv. Head of Ancus Marcius r., wearing diadem; behind, lituus; below, ANCVS / Rev. Aqueduct and equestrian statue; at horse's feet, flower; on l., PHILLIPVS downwards; within arches of aqueduct AQVAMAR
  Coin, denarius
  
• Dimensions: 18.50 mm D / Die Axis: 6.0
  
• What: Coin, denarius
  
• Subject: Ancient Coin Collection
  
• Who: Ancus Marcius
  
• Where: Italy, Rome
  
• Event:
• Description: Silver denarius of the Roman Republic, Rome, 56 BC
  
• References:
  • Crawford, M.H. Roman Republican Coinage. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1976. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: