Coin (reverse), Denarius, of Marcus Mettius

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

Venus, the goddess of beauty and fertility, stands holding Victory and a sceptre, while her left elbow rests on a shield set on a globe. Behind her, the legend 'M.METTIVS' refers to the moneyer. The letter A in front is a mint control-mark.

Between 130 and 60 BC, many Roman coins often had control-marks - letters or symbols which were probably used to record the number of dies supplied to officials. However, this practice is unique among the many issues struck by moneyers in 44 BC.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-000-074-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1932.455
• Date: 44 BC
  
• Material: Silver. Inscription: Obv. Wreathed head of Caesar r.; behind, IMPER upwards / Rev. Venus standing l., holding Victory and sceptre; behind, M.METTIVS downwards; before, variable letter
  Coin, denarius
  
• Dimensions: 19.00 mm D / Die Axis: 7.5
  
• What: Coin, denarius
  
• Subject: Ancient Coin Collection
  
• Who: Caesar
  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:
• Related Records: