Coin (obverse), Denarius, of Lucius Papius Celsus

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This silver coin was minted in Rome by Lucius Papius Celsus in 45 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 Juno Sospita, the goddess of women and childbirth. The cult of Juno was centred at Lanuvium, suggesting that this was the origin of the moneyer's family.

Most coins of the Roman Republic were issued by officials called moneyers. They may have been elected, perhaps annually. From the 2nd century BC there appear to have been three moneyers each year, and Caesar later increased the number to four.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-078-690-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1915.156
• Date: 45 BC
  
• Material: Silver. Inscription: Obv. Head of Juno Sospita r. / Rev. Wolf r., placing stick on fire; on r., eagle fanning flame; in exergue, L.PAPIVS; above, CELSVS.III.VIR
  Coin, denarius
  
• Dimensions: 19.00 mm D / Die Axis: 1.5
  
• What: Coin, denarius
  
• Subject: Ancient Coin Collection
  
• Who: Juno Sospita
  
• Where: Italy, Rome
  
• Event:
• Description: Silver denarius of the Roman Republic, Rome, 45 BC
  
• References:
  • Crawford, M.H. Roman Republican Coinage. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1976. 
• Translations:
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