Forgery of coin (reverse), Denarius, of Lucius Hostilius Saserna

This picture shows the reverse of a forgery of a Roman coin, possibly made in Roman times. The model it was based on was minted in Rome by Lucius Hostilius Saserna in 48 BC. It is a type called a denarius, the most common Roman silver coin.

The reverse depicts a vehicle called a biga, driven by a charioteer and bearing a warrior holding a shield and hurling a spear. The legend 'L.HOSTILIVS' above refers to the moneyer. On other coins it is continued below with 'SASERN.' or 'SASERNA'.

The moneyer is one of three brothers who all supported Caesar in the Civil War against Pompey. The vehicle driven here is possibly meant to represent a British one, encountered when Caesar invaded Britain in 55 BC.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-190-000-096-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland A.1960.755
Date:	48 BC as of 48 BC
Material:	Silver; fairly worn. Inscription: Obv.: No legend; bearded draped bust to right; Gallic shield behind. Rev.: L . HOSTILIVS [SASERN(A)]; biga to right, driven by charioteer and bearing warrior holding shield and hurling spear
Dimensions:	Diameter 18.50 x 16.50 mm; weight 3.55 g; die axis 7.0
What:	Coin Type: as Crawford 448/2a or 448/2b Coin, denarius / forgery
Subject:	Coins and currency
Who:	as of L. Hostilius Saserna (moneyer) (Maker)
Where:	Roman Republic uncertain mint
Event:
Description:	Forgery of a silver denarius, Roman Republic, as of 48 BC
References:	Crawford, M.H. Roman Republican Coinage. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1976.
Translations:
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