Coin (reverse), Denarius, of Lucius Aemilius Buca

This silver coin was minted in Rome by Lucius Aemilius Buca in 44 BC. It is a type called a denarius, the most common Roman silver coin. This picture shows the reverse of the coin.

The reverse depicts Sulla, the famous general and dictator, reclining on a couch. To his right is the goddess Luna. Behind, Victory holds a staff. The design has been interpreted as portraying a dream Sulla had before his march on Rome in 88 BC.

The Romans needed coins for one main purpose - to pay the salaries of her huge military force - but also to pay the salaries of her officials and to fund public works. In the late Republic, aristocrats increasing used coins for luxuries and bribes.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-190-000-051-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland A.1915.160
Date:	44 BC
Material:	Silver. Inscription: Obv. Head of Venus r., wearing diadem; behind, L.BVCA downwards / Rev. Sulla reclining; on r., Luna; behind, Victory with outspread wings, holding staff in raised r. hand
Dimensions:	18.50 mm D / Die Axis: 4.5
What:	Coin, denarius
Subject:	Ancient Coin Collection
Who:	Luna Sulla Venus Victory
Where:	Italy, Rome
Event:
Description:	Silver denarius of the Roman Republic, Rome, 44 BC
References:	Crawford, M.H. Roman Republican Coinage. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1976.
Translations:
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