Coin (reverse), Denarius, of Marcus Iunius Brutus

Add to album

This silver coin was minted in Rome by Marcus Iunius Brutus in 54 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 an ancestor of the moneyer, L. Iunius Brutus, Consul in 509 BC, who killed the last king of Rome. He is walking between two lictors, officials who carried rods called fasces before magistrates. At the front is another official.

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. The forces of Rome were stretched wide at this time, from Gaul to the Middle East.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-190-002-007-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1932.452
• Date: 54 BC
  
• Material: Silver. Inscription: Obv. Head of Libertas r.; behind, LIBERTAS downwards / Rev. L.Iunius Brutus, Cos. 509, walking l., between two lictors carrying fasces and preceded by anaccensus; in exergue, BRVTVS
  Coin, denarius
  
• Dimensions: 20.00 mm D / Die Axis: 6.0
  
• What: Coin, denarius
  
• Subject: Ancient Coin Collection
  
• Who: L. Iunius Brutus
  Libertas
  
• Where: Italy, Rome
  
• Event:
• Description: Silver denarius of the Roman Republic, Rome, 54 BC
  
• References:
  • Crawford, M.H. Roman Republican Coinage. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1976. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: