Later Denarii

Later Denarii

As we saw last time, the designs used on the main silver coins - denarii, quinarii & sestertii were all similar - helmeted head of Roma on the obverse and the Dioscuri on the reverse.   The early coins are all anonymous, not carrying the names of the moneyers.   Later, the moneyers started putting abbreviated versions of their names on the coins, like this example of Lucius Cupiennius from 147 BC.   At this stage, the design is the traditional Dioscuri.

On the reverse, the inscription reads L. CVP (VP written in ligature format), with ROMA in the exergue.   Note that in Latin, there is no distinction between U and V.

The other design commonly featured at this time has Victory in a biga on the reverse:

The example above is from Pinarius Natta, of 149 BC.   The moneyer's name is written as NATTA, with the second T and the final A superimposed.

At around the same time, in 141 BC, the denarius was retariffed to 16 asses, from 10.   Initially, the mark of value, X, was changed to XVI from X, as shown here on this denarius from 141 BC.

This particular coin is from Lucius Julius.   The XVI mark didn't last long in use - it was largely replaced by an X with a horizontal bar through it - believed to be a monogram of XVI.   In fact, on later issues, the X is often used again.

While the earlier coins with moneyers' names are of conventional types with names added, later types have designs apparently chosen by the moneyers themselves.   These often referred to heroic or imaginary deeds by their ancestors, as well as to current events.   Some examples...

This coin is by Caius Mamilius Limetanus and dates from 82 BC.   The obverse features Mercury with a caduceus (staff).   The reverse has Ulysses returning from the Trojan War after 20 years, meeting his faithful dog Argos, who is the only one to recognise him in disguise.   The moneyer claimed to be descended from Ulysses and through him, from Mercury.

This type from 63 BC and features Vesta on the obverse and a voting scene on the reverse.   The voter is dropping a tablet inscribed V (for "Vti rogas") into a cista.   This is believed to refer to an ancestor of the moneyer, Lucius Cassius Longinus Ravilla, who presided over a commission of investigation of misdeeds by Vestal Virgins in 113 BC (three were executed).   The moneyer himself, another Lucius Cassius Longinus, was the brother of Caius Cassius Longinus, a conspirator in the assassination of Julius Caesar.

It's now late at night here, so more coins will have to wait for the next posting.