Coin (reverse), Quinarius, of P. Sabinus

This Roman silver coin, of a type called a quinarius, was minted in Rome by Publius Sabinus (probably Publius Vettius Sabinus) in 99 BC. This picture shows the reverse of the coin.

The reverse depicts Victory standing and crowning a trophy. Between them is the inscription 'P. SABIN' running downwards (referring to the moneyer). On the right is the mint control-mark, a pellet and reversed G. The letter Q below indicates quinarius.

After a victorious battle, the Greeks erected a trophy on the battlefield and dedicated it to the gods. It consisted of weapons of the defeated army placed on a pole or tree trunk. This custom was adopted by the Romans, but sometimes it was made in Rome.

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