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

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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.

The obverse depicts a curule chair. On the left is an arrow and on the right a laurel branch, attributes of the god Apollo. The legend 'Q. POMPEI.Q.F' 'RVFVS' refers to the moneyer's grandfather and namesake, consul (denoted by 'COS' below) in 88 BC.

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: 000-100-078-674-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1915.144
• Date: 54 BC
  
• Material: Silver. Inscription: Obv. Curule chair; on l., arrow; on r., laurel-branch; above Q. POMPEI.Q.F with RVFVS under P; below on tablet, COS / Rev. Curule chair; on l., lituus; on r., wreath; above, SVLLA.COS; below, on tablet, Q.POMPEI. RVF
  Coin, denarius
  
• Dimensions: 18.00 mm D / Die Axis: 4.5
  
• What: Coin, denarius
  
• Subject: Ancient Coin Collection
  
• Who: Q. Pompeius Rufus
  Sulla
  
• Where: Italy, Rome
  
• Event:
• Description: Silver denarius of the Roman Republic, Rome, 54 BC
  
• References:
  • Crawford, M.H. Roman Republican Coinage. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1976. 
• Translations:
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