Coin (obverse), Denarius, probably of Quintus Pompeius Rufus

This silver coin was minted in Rome in 54 BC, probably by Quintus Pompeius Rufus. It is a type called a denarius, the most common Roman silver coin. This picture shows the obverse of the coin.

Both obverse and reverse of this coin portray the moneyer's grandfathers who were consuls in 88 BC. Here his maternal grandfather, the general and dictator Sulla, is portrayed, identified by the legend 'SVLLA.COS'. The 'COS' is short for 'consul'.

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.

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