minted in Rome

Coin (reverse), Denarius, of Marcus Sergius Silus

This silver coin was minted in Rome by Marcus Sergius Silus in 116 or 115 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 a horseman holding a sword and a severed head. Below is the letter Q, indicating that the coin was issued by a quaestor (a financial official), who is identified as 'M. SERGI SILVS'.

Later coins of the Republic often had reverse designs alluding to the importance of the moneyer's family. This coin refers to an ancestor in the 2nd Punic War (218-201 BC), who had a right arm of iron, shown here holding the head of an enemy.

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Online ID:	000-190-000-373-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland H.C15109
Date:	116 - 115 116 or 115 BC
Material:	Silver; both sides very slightly off-centre; slight to moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. Helmeted head of Roma to right; behind, ROMA, downwards, and star; in front, EX . S . C, upwards / Rev. Horseman to left, holding sword and severed head; below, Q / M
Dimensions:	18.00 x 17.00 mm D / Die Axis: 6.0
What:	Coin Type: Crawford 286/1 Coin, denarius
Subject:	Queen Street Coin Collection
Who:	M. Sergius Silus (Maker) Roma
Where:	Italy, Rome Roman Republic
Event:
Description:	Silver denarius of Rome, struck by M. Sergius Silus, 116 - 115 BC
References:	Crawford, M.H. Roman Republican Coinage. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1976.
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