Roman Republic
The Roman Republican Denarius
With an important focus of this collection on the 1st century BC Roman Republic, and the lifetime of Lucius Cornelius Sulla, the Republican denarius is the most common coin discussed in these pages. This 3g-4g silver (AR) coin was introduced in the late 3rd century BC and became a key Roman denomination for the next 400 years. Coins played a role not unlike modern media advertising that is used by political campaigns today. Reference numbers cited for individual coins include a reference to Michael Crawford's "Roman Republican Coinage" in two volumes.
Denarii began with anonymous issues, and soon became a way for moneyers to promote their families, their accomplishments and advance their political careers as they moved up the cursus honorem (which defined roles on the political ladder of the Roman republic). The head of Roma with dioscuri on the reverse was the common form for many years.
Useful references for more information:
-
Roman Republic see: Numiswiki Roman Republic
-
Denarius see: Numiswiki Denarius
-
Roman Republican Coinage Online Catalog see: CRRO
Anonymous, Quadrigatus, 225-214 BC, C. 28/3
AR Didrachm (Quadrigatus), Rome
Obv: Laureate head of Janus
Rev: Jupiter, holding sceptre and brandishing thunderbolt, in quadriga driven to right by Victory; ROMA incuse on linear frame below
Ref: Crawford 28/3; BMCRR Romano-Campanian 78-99; RSC 23
Obv: Laureate head of Janus
Rev: Jupiter, holding sceptre and brandishing thunderbolt, in quadriga driven to right by Victory; ROMA incuse on linear frame below
Ref: Crawford 28/3; BMCRR Romano-Campanian 78-99; RSC 23
Anonymous Trident, 206-195 BC, C. 115/1
AR Denarius, Rome mint
Obv: Head of Roma
Rev: Dioscuri on horseback Ref: Crawford 115/1
Obv: Head of Roma
Rev: Dioscuri on horseback Ref: Crawford 115/1
Mn Acilius Balbus, 125 BC, C. 271/1
AR Denarius
Obv: Helmeted head of Roma right; behind, BALBVS, below, ROMA and before, *, all within laurel wreath
Rev: Jupiter, holding spear and thunderbolt, in prancing quadriga driven right by Victory; below horses, shield and in exergue, MN·ACILI
Ref: Babelon Acilia 1. Sydenham 498, Crawford 271/1
Obv: Helmeted head of Roma right; behind, BALBVS, below, ROMA and before, *, all within laurel wreath
Rev: Jupiter, holding spear and thunderbolt, in prancing quadriga driven right by Victory; below horses, shield and in exergue, MN·ACILI
Ref: Babelon Acilia 1. Sydenham 498, Crawford 271/1
Anonymous, 115-114 BC, C. 287/1
AR Denarius, Rome mint
Obv: Helmeted head of Roma
Rev: Roma, wearing Corinthian helmet
Size: 3.8g, 18.5 mm
Ref: Crawford 287/1
Obv: Helmeted head of Roma
Rev: Roma, wearing Corinthian helmet
Size: 3.8g, 18.5 mm
Ref: Crawford 287/1
Cn. Blasio Cn.f., 112-111 BC, C. 296/1c
AR Denarius, Rome mint
Obv: Helmeted head of Mars right; bucranium behind
Rev: Jupiter standing facing, holding sceptre and thunderbolt, between Juno, and Minerva, crowning Jupiter with wreath; Θ between Jupiter and Minerva
Ref: Crawford 296/1c; Sydenham 561b; Cornelia 19
Obv: Helmeted head of Mars right; bucranium behind
Rev: Jupiter standing facing, holding sceptre and thunderbolt, between Juno, and Minerva, crowning Jupiter with wreath; Θ between Jupiter and Minerva
Ref: Crawford 296/1c; Sydenham 561b; Cornelia 19
M. Herennius, 108-107 BC, C. 308/1a
AR Denarius, Rome mint, 108-107 BC
Obv: PIETAS, Diademed head of Pietas
Rev: Amphinomus running right, carrying his father on his shoulder
Ref: Crawford 308/1a
Obv: PIETAS, Diademed head of Pietas
Rev: Amphinomus running right, carrying his father on his shoulder
Ref: Crawford 308/1a
Lucius Aurelius Cotta, 105 BC, Crawford 314/1c
AR serrate denarius, Rome mint
Obv: Draped bust of Vulcan right, wearing laureate pileus; tongs behind; all within wreath
Rev: Eagle standing on thunderbolt, head left; R to right; all within laurel wreath
Ref: Crawford 314/1c; Sydenham 577a; Aurelia 21b
Obv: Draped bust of Vulcan right, wearing laureate pileus; tongs behind; all within wreath
Rev: Eagle standing on thunderbolt, head left; R to right; all within laurel wreath
Ref: Crawford 314/1c; Sydenham 577a; Aurelia 21b
C. Fabius C. f. Hadrianus, 102 BC, C. 322/1b
Rome, Denarius AR, 18mm, 3.96g.
Obv: Turreted and veiled head of Cybele right, wearing single-drop earring and pearl necklace, EX•A•PV upwards to left
Rev: Victory driving galloping biga right, holding reins in left hand and goad in right, E below horses, and stork standing right, C•FABI•C•F in exergue
Ref: Crawford 322/1b
Obv: Turreted and veiled head of Cybele right, wearing single-drop earring and pearl necklace, EX•A•PV upwards to left
Rev: Victory driving galloping biga right, holding reins in left hand and goad in right, E below horses, and stork standing right, C•FABI•C•F in exergue
Ref: Crawford 322/1b
C. Publicius Malleolus, 96 BC, C. 335/1a
C. Malleolus, A. Albinus Sp.f., and L. Caecilius Metellus. 96 BC, AR denarius, Rome mint.
Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right
Rev: Roma seated left on pile of shields, holding spear and parazonium, being crowned by Victory standing behind.
Ref: Crawford 335/1a; Sydenham 611; Caecilia 46a
Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right
Rev: Roma seated left on pile of shields, holding spear and parazonium, being crowned by Victory standing behind.
Ref: Crawford 335/1a; Sydenham 611; Caecilia 46a
C. Allius Bala, 92 BC, C. 336/1b
AR Denarius, Rome mint
Obv: Diademed female head (Diana?) right; A below chin
Rev: Diana driving biga of stags right, holding spear, reins, and torch; grasshopper below; all within laurel-wreath
Ref: Crawford 336/1b; Sydenham 595; Aelia 4
Obv: Diademed female head (Diana?) right; A below chin
Rev: Diana driving biga of stags right, holding spear, reins, and torch; grasshopper below; all within laurel-wreath
Ref: Crawford 336/1b; Sydenham 595; Aelia 4
Cn Cornelius Lentulus Clodianus, 88 BC, C. 345/1
AR Denarius, Rome mint
Obv: Helmeted bust of Mars
Rev: Victory in biga
Size: 4.03g 18mm
Ref: Crawford 345/1
Obv: Helmeted bust of Mars
Rev: Victory in biga
Size: 4.03g 18mm
Ref: Crawford 345/1
L. Sulla, 84-83 BC, C. 359/2
AR Denarius, Military mint moving with Sulla
Obv: L·SVLLA, diademed head of Venus right; before, Cupid standing left, holding palm
Rev: IMPER / ITERVM, capis and lituus between two trophies
Ref: Crawford 359/2; Sydenham 761; Cornelia 29
Note: Sulla's first issue, struck from a mobile mint as he marched against Marius in Rome. He is the first to issue coins without the authority of the Senate.
Obv: L·SVLLA, diademed head of Venus right; before, Cupid standing left, holding palm
Rev: IMPER / ITERVM, capis and lituus between two trophies
Ref: Crawford 359/2; Sydenham 761; Cornelia 29
Note: Sulla's first issue, struck from a mobile mint as he marched against Marius in Rome. He is the first to issue coins without the authority of the Senate.
C. Mamilius Limetanus, 82 BC, C. 362/1
AR Serrate Denarius
Obv: Bust of Mercury right
Rev: Ulysses right, greeted by his dog.
Ref: Crawford 362/1
Obv: Bust of Mercury right
Rev: Ulysses right, greeted by his dog.
Ref: Crawford 362/1
L. Manlius Torquatus, 82 BC, C. 367/5
AR Denarius
Obv: Helmeted head of Roma right, L. MANLI before, PRO.Q behind
Rev: Sulla, being crowned by Victory, in quadriga right; L. SVLLA. IM[P] in exergue
Ref: Crawford 367/5
Obv: Helmeted head of Roma right, L. MANLI before, PRO.Q behind
Rev: Sulla, being crowned by Victory, in quadriga right; L. SVLLA. IM[P] in exergue
Ref: Crawford 367/5
L. Manlius Torquatus, 82 BC, 367/5
AR Denarius
Obv: Helmeted head of Roma right, L. MANLI before, PRO.Q behind
Rev: Sulla, being crowned by Victory, in quadriga right; L. SVLLA. IM[P] in exergue
Ref: Crawford 367/5
Obv: Helmeted head of Roma right, L. MANLI before, PRO.Q behind
Rev: Sulla, being crowned by Victory, in quadriga right; L. SVLLA. IM[P] in exergue
Ref: Crawford 367/5
L. Censorinus, 82 BC, C. 363/1d
AR Denarius. Rome mint
Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right
Rev: Marsyas standing left, raising hand and holding wineskin over shoulder; to right, column surmounted by statue of Minerva(?) standing right
Ref: Crawford 363/1d; Sydenham 737; Marcia 24
Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right
Rev: Marsyas standing left, raising hand and holding wineskin over shoulder; to right, column surmounted by statue of Minerva(?) standing right
Ref: Crawford 363/1d; Sydenham 737; Marcia 24
Q. Caecilius Metellus Pius, 81 BC, 374/1
AR Denarius, North Italian mint
Obv: Diademed head of Pietas
Rev: Elephant walking
Ref: Crawford 374/1
Obv: Diademed head of Pietas
Rev: Elephant walking
Ref: Crawford 374/1
Q. Caecilius Metellus Pius, 81 BC, 374/2
AR Denarius, Northern Italian mint
Obv: Diademed head of Pietas
Rev: Jug and lituus
Ref: Crawford 374/2
Obv: Diademed head of Pietas
Rev: Jug and lituus
Ref: Crawford 374/2
L. Cornelius Sulla Felix, as Dictator, 81 BC, C. 375/2
AR Denarius
Italy
Obv: Diademed head of Venus right, wearing single-pendant earring and necklace
Rev: Filleted double cornucopiae; Q below
Ref: Crawford 375/2; Sydenham 755; Cornelia
Note: Marius claimed Apollo as his divine patron, Sulla invoked the goddess Venus and this is why she appears on the obverse of this coin.
Italy
Obv: Diademed head of Venus right, wearing single-pendant earring and necklace
Rev: Filleted double cornucopiae; Q below
Ref: Crawford 375/2; Sydenham 755; Cornelia
Note: Marius claimed Apollo as his divine patron, Sulla invoked the goddess Venus and this is why she appears on the obverse of this coin.
C. Marius C.f. Capito, 81 BC, 378/1a
AR Serrate Denarius, Rome mint
Obv: Draped bust of Ceres right, wearing wreath of grain ears; XI at end of legend
Rev: Husbandman with yoke of oxen plowing left; XI above
Ref: Crawford 378/1a
Obv: Draped bust of Ceres right, wearing wreath of grain ears; XI at end of legend
Rev: Husbandman with yoke of oxen plowing left; XI above
Ref: Crawford 378/1a
C. Marius C. f. Capito, 81 BC, C.378/1c
AR Denarius
Obv: CAPIT. behind, draped bust of Ceres right, wearing grain-ear wreath and earring; LXXXXVIII above, ? control mark below chin
Rev: C. MARI. C. F. / S. C in two lines in exergue, husbandman plowing left with a yoke of oxen; LXXXXVIII above
Ref: Crawford 378/1c
Obv: CAPIT. behind, draped bust of Ceres right, wearing grain-ear wreath and earring; LXXXXVIII above, ? control mark below chin
Rev: C. MARI. C. F. / S. C in two lines in exergue, husbandman plowing left with a yoke of oxen; LXXXXVIII above
Ref: Crawford 378/1c
A. Postumius A.f. Sp.n. Albinus, 81 BC, C. 372/1
AR Serrate Denarius, Rome mint
Obv: Draped bust of Diana right, with bow and quiver over shoulder; bucranium above
Rev: Togate figure standing left on rock, holding aspergillum over head of ox standing right; lighted altar between them
Ref: Crawford 372/1; Sydenham 745; Postumia 7
Obv: Draped bust of Diana right, with bow and quiver over shoulder; bucranium above
Rev: Togate figure standing left on rock, holding aspergillum over head of ox standing right; lighted altar between them
Ref: Crawford 372/1; Sydenham 745; Postumia 7
A. Postumius A.f. Sp.n. Albinus, 81 BC, C.d 372/2
AR Serrate Denarius, Rome mint
Obv: Veiled head of Hispania right
Rev: Togate figure standing left, raising hand, between aquila and fasces
Ref: Crawford 372/2; Sydenham 746; Postumia 8
Obv: Veiled head of Hispania right
Rev: Togate figure standing left, raising hand, between aquila and fasces
Ref: Crawford 372/2; Sydenham 746; Postumia 8
L. Procilius, 80 BC, C. 379/2
AR serrate denarius
Obv: Head of Juno Sospita right; S C behind
Rev: Juno Sospita, holding spear and shield, in biga right, serpent below; L PROCILI F in exergue.
Ref: Crawford 379/2
Obv: Head of Juno Sospita right; S C behind
Rev: Juno Sospita, holding spear and shield, in biga right, serpent below; L PROCILI F in exergue.
Ref: Crawford 379/2
M. Volteius M.f., 75 BC, C. 385/3
AR Denarius, Rome mint
Obv: Head of Bacchus (or Liber) right, wearing ivy wreath
Rev: Ceres, standing in chariot, holding lighted torches, driving biga of snakes right; pileus to left
Ref: Crawford 385/3; Sydenham 776; Volteia 3
Obv: Head of Bacchus (or Liber) right, wearing ivy wreath
Rev: Ceres, standing in chariot, holding lighted torches, driving biga of snakes right; pileus to left
Ref: Crawford 385/3; Sydenham 776; Volteia 3
C. Postumius, 73 BC, C. 394/1a
AR Denarius, Rome mint
Obv: Draped bust of Diana right, with bow and quiver over shoulder
Rev: Hound running right; spear below
Ref: Crawford 394/1a; Sydenham 785; Postumia 9; RBW 1434
Obv: Draped bust of Diana right, with bow and quiver over shoulder
Rev: Hound running right; spear below
Ref: Crawford 394/1a; Sydenham 785; Postumia 9; RBW 1434
L. Furius Cn.f. Brocchus, 63 BC, C. 414/1
AR Denarius, Rome mint
Obv: Draped bust of Ceres right, wearing wreath of grain ears; stalk of grain to left, barley grain to right, III–VIR across field, BROCCHI below
Rev: Curule chair between two fasces; above, L • FVRI/CN • F in two lines
Ref: Crawford 414/1; Sydenham 902; Furia 23
Obv: Draped bust of Ceres right, wearing wreath of grain ears; stalk of grain to left, barley grain to right, III–VIR across field, BROCCHI below
Rev: Curule chair between two fasces; above, L • FVRI/CN • F in two lines
Ref: Crawford 414/1; Sydenham 902; Furia 23
M. Nonius Sufenas, 57 BC, C. 421/1
AR Denarius, Rome
Obv: SVFENAS before, S C behind, head of Saturn right; behind, harpa and conical stone
Rev: SEX NONI in exergue, PR L V P F around, Roma seated left on cuirass and shield, holding spear, crowned by Victory standing to left behind her, holding palm
Ref: Crawford 421/1; Sydenham 885; Nonia 1
Obv: SVFENAS before, S C behind, head of Saturn right; behind, harpa and conical stone
Rev: SEX NONI in exergue, PR L V P F around, Roma seated left on cuirass and shield, holding spear, crowned by Victory standing to left behind her, holding palm
Ref: Crawford 421/1; Sydenham 885; Nonia 1
M. Junius Brutus, 54 BC, 433/2
AR Denarius, Rome mint
Obv: L. Junius Brutus
Rev: Caius Servilius Ahala
Size: 3.96g, 17-19mm
Ref: Crawford 433/2
Obv: L. Junius Brutus
Rev: Caius Servilius Ahala
Size: 3.96g, 17-19mm
Ref: Crawford 433/2
Q. Pompeius Rufus, 54 BC, 434/2
AR Denarius, Rome mint
Obv: Q. POMPEI. Q. F RVFVS above, curule chair flanked by arrow and laurel-branch; COS on raised tablet below
Rev: SVLLA. COS above, curule chair flanked by lituus and a wreath; Q. POMPEI. RVF on raised tablet below
Ref: Crawford 434/2
Obv: Q. POMPEI. Q. F RVFVS above, curule chair flanked by arrow and laurel-branch; COS on raised tablet below
Rev: SVLLA. COS above, curule chair flanked by lituus and a wreath; Q. POMPEI. RVF on raised tablet below
Ref: Crawford 434/2
Q. Pompeius Rufus, 54 BC, 434/2 (error)
AR Denarius, Rome mint
Obv: Q. POMPEI. Q. F RVRVS (sic) above, curule chair flanked by arrow and laurel-branch; COS on raised tablet below
Rev: SVLLA. COS above, curule chair flanked by lituus and a wreath; Q. POMPEI. RVF on raised tablet below
Ref: Crawford 434/2
Obv: Q. POMPEI. Q. F RVRVS (sic) above, curule chair flanked by arrow and laurel-branch; COS on raised tablet below
Rev: SVLLA. COS above, curule chair flanked by lituus and a wreath; Q. POMPEI. RVF on raised tablet below
Ref: Crawford 434/2
Man. Acilius Glabrio, circa 49 BC, 442/1a
AR Denarius, Rome mint
Obv: Laureate head of Salus
Rev: Salus standing left, holding serpent.
Ref: Crawford 442/1a
Obv: Laureate head of Salus
Rev: Salus standing left, holding serpent.
Ref: Crawford 442/1a
L. Hostilius Saserna, 48 BC, 448/3
AR Denarius, Rome mint
Obv: A Gallic woman, with carnyx warrior's trumpet behind
Rev: Artemis facing front, holding a leaping deer by the antlers and, with the other hand, a spear.
Size: 3.8g 17.3-19.3mm
Ref: Crawford 448/3
Obv: A Gallic woman, with carnyx warrior's trumpet behind
Rev: Artemis facing front, holding a leaping deer by the antlers and, with the other hand, a spear.
Size: 3.8g 17.3-19.3mm
Ref: Crawford 448/3
C. Vibius C.f. C.n. Pansa Caetronianus, 48 BC, C. 449/1b
AR Denarius, Rome mint
Obv: Mask of Pan right; pedum (a shepherd's crook) behind
Rev: C·VIBIVS·C·F·C·N IOVIS·AXVR, Jupiter Axurus seated left, holding patera and scepter
Ref: Crawford 449/1b
Obv: Mask of Pan right; pedum (a shepherd's crook) behind
Rev: C·VIBIVS·C·F·C·N IOVIS·AXVR, Jupiter Axurus seated left, holding patera and scepter
Ref: Crawford 449/1b
Mark Antony and M Aemelius Lepidus, 42-43 BC, C. 489/2
AR Denarius, Military mint traveling with Antony and Lepidus in Cisalpine Gaul, 30-May-43 and early 42
Obv: Lituus, capis, and raven
Rev: Simpulum, aspergillum, securis, apex
Size: 3.71g, 18mm
Ref: Crawford 489/2
Obv: Lituus, capis, and raven
Rev: Simpulum, aspergillum, securis, apex
Size: 3.71g, 18mm
Ref: Crawford 489/2
Mark Antony, 42 BC, C. 496/1
The Triumvirs, AR Denarius, Military mint traveling with Antony in Greece
Obv: Bare head right
Rev: Facing head of Sol on disk within distyle temple
Ref: Crawford 496/1; CRI 128; Sydenham 1168; RSC 12a
Obv: Bare head right
Rev: Facing head of Sol on disk within distyle temple
Ref: Crawford 496/1; CRI 128; Sydenham 1168; RSC 12a
Mark Antony and Octavian, Spring-early summer 41 BC, C. 517/2
The Triumvirs, AR Denarius, Ephesus mint, M. Barbatius Pollio, quaestor pro praetore
Obv: M•ANT•IMP•AVG•III•VIR•R•P•C•M BARBAT•Q•P, bare head of Mark Antony right
Rev: CAESAR•IMP•PONT•III•VIR•R•P•C•, bare head of Octavian right, with slight beard
Ref: Crawford 517/2; CRI 243; Sydenham 1181; RSC 8a
Obv: M•ANT•IMP•AVG•III•VIR•R•P•C•M BARBAT•Q•P, bare head of Mark Antony right
Rev: CAESAR•IMP•PONT•III•VIR•R•P•C•, bare head of Octavian right, with slight beard
Ref: Crawford 517/2; CRI 243; Sydenham 1181; RSC 8a