Coin (obverse), Denarius, of Lucius Valerius Acisculus

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This silver coin was minted in Rome by Lucius Valerius Acisculus 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 Apollo, the god of light, healing and prophecy, his hair tied with a band. The star above indicates his divinity. Behind him is an adze (acisculus), referring to the moneyer's nickname, which is made explicit in the worn legend.

Most coins of the Roman Republic were issued by officials called moneyers. They were able to commission designs, which often referred to famous ancestors, or around this time, to Caesar. The exact symbolism of this issue remains a matter of debate.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-078-691-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1915.159
• Date: 45 BC
  
• Material: Silver. Inscription: Obv. Head of Apollo r., hair tied with band; above, star; behind, acisculus and ACISCVLVS / Rev. Europa seated on bull r.; in exergue, L.VALERIVS
  Coin, denarius
  
• Dimensions: 20.00 mm D / Die Axis: 12.0
  
• What: Coin, denarius
  
• Subject: Ancient Coin Collection
  
• Who: Apollo
  Europa
  
• 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:
• Related Records: