At Numiscurio, we often say that a Republican denarius is a “family album” in silver; every symbol on this coin was a carefully chosen piece of political theater meant to honor the moneyer’s ancestors and the gods of the state.

1. The Historical Context: Silver for the Social War

In 90 BC, Rome was embroiled in the Social War (Bellum Sociale), a brutal conflict with its Italian allies who were demanding full Roman citizenship. To fund the massive military mobilization required to save the Republic, the moneyer Lucius Calpurnius Piso Frugi oversaw one of the largest coinages in Roman history.

The “Frugi” in his name—meaning “the Honest” or “the Thrifty”—was a family cognomen won by his ancestor, the historian and consul of 133 BC. This coin was a silver promise to the Roman soldier: it carried the weight of a legendary family’s integrity and the speed of a racing stallion.

2. The Obverse: Apollo the Radiant

The obverse features the Laureate Head of Apollo, facing right.

• The God of the Games: Apollo was the patron of the Ludi Apollinares (the Apollonian Games). These games had been established by the moneyer’s ancestor in 211 BC during the dark days of the Second Punic War. By placing Apollo on the coin, Piso Frugi was reminding everyone of his family’s long history of religious and civic service.
• The Control Marks: Look closely in the fields around Apollo’s head. You might see a tiny symbol, a Greek letter, or a Roman numeral. Because this was such a massive issue, the mint used hundreds of different control marks to keep track of the dies and the silver quality—making this one of the most fun series for a specialist to collect.

3. The Reverse: The Galloping Victor

The reverse features a Horseman galloping right, holding the reins in one hand and a palm frond in the other.

• The Victory Lap: The palm frond is the universal ancient symbol of victory. This isn’t a scene of war, but a scene from the races at the Ludi Apollinares. It celebrates the speed and athleticism that the Piso family had provided for the Roman people for generations.
• The Master of the Horse: The sense of motion on these coins is incredible—the horse’s hooves are often depicted mid-air, capturing a split second of the race.
• The Legend: L PISO FRVGI (or A PISO FRVGI for the Annius or Albinus variants). It is a bold, clear signature of a man who wanted the soldiers to know exactly who was providing their pay.

4. Technical Details: The “Social War” Strike

• Crawford 340/1: Cataloged in Michael Crawford’s Roman Republican Coinage, the definitive guide to the era.
• The Metal: High-purity silver. Despite the pressure of the war, the “Frugi” coins maintained an excellent standard, which helped keep the Roman economy stable while the Italian peninsula was in flames.
• The Variety: There are literally hundreds of die combinations for this issue. Some horsemen carry whips, some carry torches, and some carry spears. Finding a specimen with a sharp palm frond and a clear control mark is a major highlight for any collector of the Republic.

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At Numiscurio, we often say that a coin’s “soul” is found in its motion; the frantic galloping of the horses on this reverse makes it one of the most exciting “action shots” in Republican numismatics.

1. The Historical Context: The Savior of Lanuvium

The moneyer, Lucius Procilius, belonged to a family originally from Lanuvium, an ancient city just south of Rome. Lanuvium was the home of the most famous temple of Juno Sospita (Juno the Savior). Every year, the Roman consuls would travel there to offer sacrifices, acknowledging that Rome’s safety was inextricably linked to this fierce, local goddess.

By placing Juno Sospita on his coinage, Procilius was doing more than just honoring a deity; he was flashing his “pedigree.” In a Rome filled with new arrivals, he was reminding everyone that his family hailed from one of the most sacred and ancient religious centers in Italy.

2. The Obverse: The Guardian in Goat-Skin

The obverse features the head of Juno Sospita, facing right. She is instantly recognizable by her goat-skin headdress, with the horns curving back over her head and the goat’s ears visible.

• The S·C Mark: Behind her head is the legend S·C (Senatus Consulto), indicating that this issue was struck “by decree of the Senate.” This was a standard mark of legitimacy during the Sullan era, showing that the money was being produced under official constitutional authority.
• The Martial Goddess: Unlike the domestic, motherly Juno we often see later, Juno Sospita was a warrior. She was the “Protectress” who physically stood between Rome and its enemies.

3. The Reverse: The Chariot and the Serpent

The reverse is a spectacular scene of divine combat: Juno Sospita is driving a galloping biga (two-horse chariot) to the right. She is mid-strike, hurling a spear and holding a distinctive figure-eight shield. Below the horses, a serpent stands erect.

• The Sacred Snake: This is a direct reference to a famous ritual at Lanuvium. In a cave near Juno’s temple, a sacred serpent was kept. Every year, a young maiden would descend into the cave with food; if the serpent ate, it was a sign of a fertile year. If not, it boded ill for Rome. The erect serpent on your coin signals a favorable omen.
• The Legend: L•PROCILI•F (Lucius Procilius, son of [Lucius]).
• The Detail: Notice the “figure-eight” shield (the ancile). This was an ancient, ritualistic shield type associated with the earliest days of Roman and Latin religion.

4. Technical Details: The High-Relief Strike

• Crawford 379/2: Cataloged in Michael Crawford’s Roman Republican Coinage.
• The Mint: Struck in Rome. The engraving of the 80s BC is noted for its fluidity; look at the horses’ manes and the way Juno’s cloak flutters behind her.
• The Collector’s “Tell”: Because of the high relief and the “busy” reverse, these coins often show wear on the highest points—the horses’ shoulders and Juno’s head. Finding a specimen where the serpent’s coils and the individual reins are still sharp is a hallmark of a premier Republican collection.

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At Numiscurio, we often say that a coin’s “soul” is found in its perspective; the rare “back-view” of the god on the obverse marks this as a masterpiece of Hellenistic-inspired Roman engraving.

1. The Historical Context: The Historian in the Mint

Gaius Licinius Macer, who eventually died in 66 BC, was a man of the “Populares”—the political faction that championed the rights of the common people. He was a famous orator and historian who claimed to have discovered ancient “Linen Books” that proved the early Republic was defined by plebeian liberty.

When Macer struck this coin in 84 BC, he was operating under the regime of Cinna and Carbo, while the formidable Sulla was still campaigning in the East. This denarius was a piece of high-stakes propaganda, using ancient, “authentic” Italian imagery to signal that the true spirit of Rome resided with the people’s party, not the aristocratic generals.

2. The Obverse: The Thunder of Vejovis

The obverse features a youthful, laureate bust of a god—traditionally identified as Apollo or the archaic Italian deity Vejovis—seen from behind, with his head turned left and a thunderbolt in his right hand.

• The Artistic “Back-View”: This is one of the few instances in Roman numismatics where a deity is shown from behind. This perspective adds a dramatic, three-dimensional depth to the coin, suggesting the god is mid-action, ready to hurl his bolt.
• Vejovis the Avenger: Vejovis was often seen as a “Young Jupiter” or a darker, vengeful version of Apollo. For Macer, this god likely represented the raw, primal power of the Roman state being unleashed against its internal enemies.

3. Reverse: Minerva’s Galloping Quadriga

The reverse features Minerva in a quadriga (four-horse chariot) galloping right, holding a shield, reins, and a spear.

• The Goddess of Strategy: By choosing Minerva over Mars, Macer was emphasizing Consilium (wisdom and strategy) over brute force. It was a reminder that the “Populares” cause was led by intellectual weight, not just military might.
• The Legend: C LICINIVS L F MACER. The “L F” stands for Lucius Filius (Son of Lucius), anchoring the mint master’s individual legitimacy in his family line.
• The Movement: Notice the “staggered” legs of the four horses. This was a hallmark of the high-quality engraving of the 80s BC, attempting to show the frantic speed and energy of a chariot at full tilt.

4. Technical Details: The High-Relief Strike

• Crawford 354/1: Cataloged in Michael Crawford’s Roman Republican Coinage.
• The Mint: Struck in Rome. Despite the political instability of 84 BC, the Rome mint maintained an incredibly high standard for this issue.
• The Collector’s “Tell”: Because of the high relief, particularly on the shoulder of Apollo/Vejovis and the wheels of the quadriga, these coins often show “flat” spots of wear. Finding a specimen where the individual fingers holding the thunderbolt are still visible is a major win for a Republican specialist.

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At Numiscurio, we often say that a coin’s “soul” is found in its pair; every L. Papius denarius is part of a unique set of symbols that acted as a 2,100-year-old serial number.

1. The Historical Context: The Sullan Restoration

When Lucius Papius was appointed Tresvir Monetalis (Mint Master) in 79 BC, Rome was exhaling after the brutal civil wars of Sulla. The city was being rebuilt, and the old traditions were being polished. Papius belonged to a family originally from Lanuvium, a city just south of Rome that was the ancestral home of the cult of Juno Sospita.

By featuring the patron goddess of his hometown, Papius was doing more than just honoring a deity; he was rooting his family’s identity in the ancient, “authentic” soil of Latium. This was a statement of pedigree in a Rome that was rapidly changing.

2. The Obverse: The Savior Goddess

The obverse features the head of Juno Sospita, facing right. She is instantly recognizable by the goat’s skin headdress, with the horns curving back over her head and the goat’s ears visible.

• Juno the Savior: “Sospita” means “The Savior” or “The Protectress.” She was a martial goddess, often depicted with a spear and shield, acting as the divine guardian of the Roman state.
• The Control Symbol: Behind her head, your specimen features an amphora (a two-handled wine or oil jar). This is where the numismatic fun begins.
• The Serrated Edge: This denarius is a Serratus, meaning its edges were notched by the mint. While scholars still debate if this was to prevent “clipping” (shaving silver) or to show the coin wasn’t a plated forgery, it gives the piece a wonderful, tactile “gear-like” feel.

3. The Reverse: The Griffin of the Sun

The reverse features a Griffin springing right, with the legend L•PAPI in the exergue.

• The Guardian of Treasure: The griffin—part lion, part eagle—was associated in the ancient world with the guarding of gold and sacred treasures. It was also a companion of Apollo, the sun god. On a silver coin, it serves as a symbolic protector of the Republic’s wealth.
• The Matching Game: In the series of L. Papius, there are over 240 different pairs of control symbols. The symbol on the obverse (your amphora) must correspond to a related symbol on the reverse. For example, if the obverse has a hammer, the reverse might have an anvil. If the obverse has an amphora, the reverse often features a cup or a wine ladle.

4. Technical Details: The Lanuvium Connection

• Crawford 384/1: Cataloged in Michael Crawford’s Roman Republican Coinage.
• The Mint: Struck in Rome, though the iconography is purely Lanuvian.
• The Engraving Style: The Papius issues are known for their high-relief, almost “chubby” portraits of Juno and the incredibly fluid, feline movement of the griffin.

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At Numiscurio, we often say that a coin’s “soul” is found in its weight; to hold a Triens is to feel the industrial might of a Republic that refused to surrender, even with the enemy at the gates of Rome.

1. The Historical Context: Currency of the Punic Wars

The Triens was a fractional denomination of the Aes Grave (Heavy Bronze) system. When this coin was cast and struck, Rome was locked in a life-or-death struggle with Carthage. To fund the massive fleets and armies required to defeat Hannibal, the Roman mint had to move fast, transitioning from massive, cast bronze bricks to more manageable, struck coinage.

The value of the Triens was 1/3 of an As (hence the name triens, meaning “a third”). In a world where a legionary’s pay and a citizen’s daily bread were measured in bronze, this coin was the backbone of the Roman economy.

2. The Obverse: Minerva and the Four Pellets

The obverse features the helmeted head of Minerva, the goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare, facing right.

• The Goddess of Strategy: Unlike Mars, who represented the fury of battle, Minerva represented the calculated, disciplined warfare that allowed Rome to endure. It was a fitting choice for a city that was slowly out-thinking and out-lasting the Carthaginian geniuses.
• The Mark of Value: Above Minerva’s head are four pellets (°°°°). In the Roman uncial system, one pellet represented one uncia (ounce). Since there were 12 unciae in one As, four pellets clearly marked this coin as a four-uncia piece, or one-third of an As.

3. The Reverse: The Prow of Rome

The reverse features the iconic Prow of a Galley, facing right.

• The Naval Revolution: Before the Punic Wars, Rome was a land power with almost no navy. To defeat Carthage, they had to build a massive fleet from scratch. The “Prow” series of coins was a proud celebration of this new naval identity. It reminded every Roman that their reach now extended across the seas.
• The ROMA Legend: Above the prow, the name ROMA is boldly inscribed. This was a statement of sovereignty; wherever this coin traveled, it carried the name of the city that would not break.
• The Value Repeat: Below the prow, the four pellets (°°°°) appear again, ensuring there was no confusion about the coin’s worth in the marketplace.

4. Technical Details: The Transition to Struck Bronze

• Crawford 56/4: Cataloged in Michael Crawford’s Roman Republican Coinage, the definitive guide for collectors of the era.
• The Mint: Struck in Rome (though some varieties were minted at traveling military mints).
• The Patina: Bronze coins of this age often develop a deep, chocolate-brown or “Tiber-green” patina. Because these were high-circulation coins, finding a specimen where the individual pellets and the “ram” of the prow are still sharp is a significant achievement for a Republican bronze specialist.

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At Numiscurio, we often say that a coin’s “soul” is found in the movement of the die; few Republican issues capture the frantic, life-or-death energy of single combat as vividly as this one.

1. The Historical Context: The Scars of the “Flea”

The man behind the mint, Marcus Servilius, son of Caius, belonged to the gens Servilia, an ancient house that lived and died by the sword. This coin was a direct tribute to his grandfather, Marcus Servilius Pulex Geminus, a hero of the Second Punic War.

Pulex Geminus (the “Flea”) was famous for having fought in over twenty single combats, bearing twenty-three scars on his chest—every single one of them received while facing the enemy. In 167 BC, he famously bared his scarred torso in the Forum to shame the Senate into granting a Triumph to a fellow general. By striking this coin in 100 BC, M. Servilius was reminding the Roman voters that while the Republic faced internal strife, his family represented the “old school” grit that had defeated Hannibal.

2. The Reverse: The Duel of the Century

The reverse features an incredibly detailed scene: two soldiers fighting on foot, their horses standing patiently in the background.

• The Single Combat: This is not a generic battle; it is a depiction of a monomachia (single combat). One warrior is often shown gaining the advantage, a visual shorthand for the twenty-odd victories of Pulex Geminus.
• The Horses: The presence of the horses in the background indicates that these were elite cavalrymen who had dismounted to settle the score man-to-man—the ultimate test of Roman Virtus.
• The Control Letter: Your specimen features the Latin control letter ‘K’ in the exergue. These letters were used by the mint to track specific dies and ensure quality control among the different workshops (officinae).
• The Legend: M SERVEILI C F (Marcus Servilius, son of Caius).

3. The Obverse: The Armed Republic

The obverse features the classic helmeted head of Roma, facing right.

• The Greek Connection: Behind the head of Roma, your coin bears the Greek control letter ‘O’. The use of both Greek and Latin letters on the same coin series is a fascinating numismatic quirk of this issue, showing the bilingual nature of the craftsmen working in the Roman mint at the turn of the century.
• The Winged Helmet: Roma wears a winged helmet decorated with a griffin’s head, symbolizing the swift and predatory nature of Roman justice during the expansionist years of the late Republic.

4. Technical Details: The High-Relief Strike

• Crawford 327/1: Cataloged in Michael Crawford’s Roman Republican Coinage, the definitive reference for the era.
• The Mint: Struck in Rome. The engraving of the 100 BC period is noted for its fluidity; notice the tension in the legs of the fighting soldiers and the way the horses’ manes are rendered.
• The Silver Purity: These denarii were struck in nearly pure silver (95% or higher). Because they were used to pay the legions of Marius during his northern campaigns, many survived in hoards. Finding a specimen with sharp “control letters” like your ‘O’ and ‘K’ is a significant find for collectors who track die varieties.

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1. The Historical Context: The Rise of the Junii

By 145 BC, Rome had just finished dismantling Carthage and Corinth. The city was flooded with silver, and the office of the Moneyer (Triumvir Monetalis) became the ultimate stepping stone for ambitious young politicians. Marcus Junius Silanus, the man behind this coin, was no exception.

While the obverse and reverse look like “standard” Roman currency, Silanus added a clever, punning “signature” behind the head of Roma. This was a era of “talking coins” (armes parlantes), where a symbol was worth a thousand words of political lineage. It marks the precise era when the Roman Denarius stopped just being money and started being a campaign poster for the next generation of Senators.

2. The Reverse: The Dioscuri on the Charge

The reverse features the Dioscuri (the twin brothers Castor and Pollux), galloping right with spears couched and stars above their caps.

• The Saviors of Rome: The Dioscuri were the patron saints of the Roman cavalry. Legend claimed they miraculously appeared at the Battle of Lake Regillus to lead the Romans to victory. By 145 BC, they were the “old guard” symbol of Republican strength.
• The Family Signature: Below the galloping hooves, you see the legend M IVNI, and in the exergue, ROMA. This was Silanus’s way of tethering his family name to the eternal protection of the Twin Gods.
• The Motion of Empire: Notice the wind-swept cloaks of the twins. The Republican engravers of the mid-2nd century BC were masters of depicting action on a tiny silver canvas.

3. The Obverse: Roma and the Secret Symbol

The obverse features the helmeted head of Roma, facing right, wearing a winged Attic helmet.

• The Head of an Ass: Tucked behind Roma’s neck is a small, curious symbol—the head of an ass (asinus). This is a classic Roman “pun” on the moneyer’s name, Silanus. In mythology, Silenus (the companion of Bacchus) was famously depicted riding an ass. By placing this symbol here, Marcus Junius Silanus was making sure that every Roman who spent this coin knew exactly which family had provided it.
• The Mark of Value: Below Roma’s chin is the X, indicating the coin’s value of 10 Asses. This was the classic weight standard before the “re-tariffing” of the denarius later in the century.
• The Heritage of the Junii: The Junii were one of Rome’s most storied families (claiming descent from Brutus, the man who drove out the kings). This coin is an early chapter in a family history that would eventually lead all the way to the assassination of Julius Caesar.

4. Technical Details: The Republican Silver Standard

• RRC 228/1: Cataloged in Crawford’s Roman Republican Coinage, the definitive guide to the era.
• The Mint: Struck in Rome. During this period, the mint was likely located on the Capitoline Hill, near the Temple of Juno Moneta.
• The Silver Quality: These mid-Republic denarii are famous for their exceptionally high silver purity (nearly .950 fine). They have a “heavy,” honest feel in the hand that reflects the stern, unyielding character of the Romans of the Punic War era.

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At Numiscurio, we often say that the “soul” of a Republican coin is found in its canting arms—the ancient practice of using a visual pun to represent the moneyer’s family name.

1. The Historical Context: The Rise of the “New Men”

In 136 BC, Rome was the undisputed master of the Mediterranean, having crushed Carthage and Corinth decades earlier. However, the old aristocratic families were facing new competition from rising political stars.

Lucius Antestius Gragulus, the moneyer, belonged to the Antestia gens. To make his mark on the Roman public (and the voters), he used this coin as a business card. This was the era of the Gracchi brothers, a time when a recognizable name and a clever image on a coin could mean the difference between a failed political career and a seat in the Senate.

2. The Obverse: Roma and the “Gragulus” Pun

The obverse features the classic head of Roma wearing a winged helmet. But look closely at the details:

• The Legend: Behind her head, you’ll see the word GRAG.
• The Visual Pun: Under her chin is a small six-pointed star (the denomination mark for 16 Asses) and, most importantly, a tiny crow or jackdaw. In Latin, a jackdaw is a graculus. By placing this bird on the coin, Antestius was literally “signing” his name in a way that even an illiterate Roman citizen could understand. It’s one of the earliest and most literal examples of “branding” in human history.

3. The Reverse: Jupiter in Full Command

The reverse features a powerful and high-relief Jupiter driving a quadriga (four-horse chariot) at full gallop to the right.

• The Thunderbolt: Jupiter holds a scepter and a thunderbolt, the ultimate symbol of Roman law and divine authority.
• The Message: While the obverse was about the moneyer’s family, the reverse was about the state. It reminded every Roman that Jupiter Optimus Maximus was the protector of the Republic, and as long as the coins kept flowing, the gods were on Rome’s side.
• The Legend: L·ANTES in the exergue, with ROMA inscribed above.

4. Technical Details: The “Syd 451” Standard

• Syd 451: This refers to the Sydenham catalog, the traditional “gold standard” for Republican collectors. In the modern Crawford system, it is 238/1.
• The Silver Purity: During this period, the Roman denarius was nearly pure silver. These coins were so trusted that they circulated for centuries; it’s not uncommon to find a “Gragulus” that stayed in a merchant’s pouch until the time of Julius Caesar.
• The Strike: Coins from 136 BC are known for their “muscular” style. The horses on the reverse often have a sense of real movement and energy that was lost in later, more mass-produced periods.

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At Numiscurio, we often say that a coin’s “soul” is found in its symbolism, and Dossenus gave us one of the most enigmatic and “occult” series in Republican history.

1. The Historical Context: The Year of the Cinna

The year 87 BC was a bloodbath. The great general Sulla had just marched on Rome and then left for the East, leaving a power vacuum that was violently filled by his rival, Cinna. The city was a tinderbox of proscriptions, street fighting, and religious anxiety.

Lucius Rubrius Dossenus, the moneyer, belonged to a family that claimed ancient priestly roots. During this time of national trauma, he issued a series of coins honoring the “Great Gods” of Rome. This denarius wasn’t just money; it was a religious plea for the gods to save the Republic from tearing itself apart.

2. The Obverse: The Mask of Jupiter

The obverse features the laureate head of Jupiter, the King of the Gods, facing right.

• The Scepter: Behind his head is a scepter, the symbol of his absolute authority over both gods and men.
• The “Dossenus” Mystery: Below the head is the legend DOSSEN. Some scholars believe “Dossenus” refers to a hunchback or a masked character from the ancient Atellan Farce (early Roman improvisational theater). This gives the coin a strange, theatrical “mask-like” quality that is unique among Republican silver.

3. The Reverse: The Empty Chariot of the Gods

The reverse is where the mystery deepens. It depicts a triumphal quadriga (four-horse chariot) moving slowly to the right.

• The Empty Throne: The chariot is not carrying a general; it is carrying a thunderbolt, the weapon of Jupiter. The side of the chariot is decorated with a Victory figure.
• The Sacred Procession: This likely represents the Tensae—the sacred chariots used to carry the images of the gods during the Ludi Romani (Roman Games).
• The Message: In the chaos of 87 BC, Dossenus was reminding the warring factions that the ultimate power in Rome didn’t belong to Sulla or Cinna, but to the gods themselves. It was a call for a return to divine order.
• The Legend: L·RVBRI in the exergue.

4. Technical Details: The “Syd 705” Reference

• Syd 705: This refers to the classic catalog by E.A. Sydenham, The Coinage of the Roman Republic. In the modern Crawford system, it is listed as 348/1.
• The Design Unity: Dossenus issued a famous “set” of coins featuring Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva (the Capitoline Triad). Finding a matching set is a goal for many advanced collectors.
• The Strike: These coins are often struck on slightly smaller, thicker “flans” than earlier Republican issues, giving them a satisfying weight in the hand.

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1. The Historical Context: Crisis and Currency

The year 90 BC was one of the darkest in the history of the Roman Republic. The Social War was at its peak; Rome’s Italian allies had risen in a sophisticated, coordinated revolt. To fund the massive legions required to hold the Italian peninsula, the Roman mint operated at a frantic pace.

Quintus Titius, the moneyer, was tasked with producing vast quantities of silver denarii. In such times, the choice of imagery wasn’t just artistic—it was a message of national identity and divine protection. By using Bacchus and Pegasus, Titius was invoking deities associated with liberation, vitality, and swift victory.

2. The Obverse: The Youthful Bacchus

The obverse features the head of Bacchus (the Roman equivalent of Dionysus), looking right. He is depicted as a handsome youth, wearing a wreath of ivy leaves.+1

• The Symbolism: Bacchus was the god of wine, theater, and religious ecstasy, but in a military context, he represented Liber (Freedom). To the Roman soldier, Bacchus was a “bringer of liberty”—a potent message when fighting a war against former allies who were demanding their own version of political freedom.
• The Style: The “youthful” portrait marks a shift away from the grimmer, bearded Roman gods toward a more refined, Greek-influenced style that was becoming fashionable among the Roman elite.

3. The Reverse: Pegasus on the Tablet

The reverse is iconic and identical across the Titius series: Pegasus (the winged horse) springing right from a rectangular tablet.

• The Tablet: The tablet is inscribed with the moneyer’s name: Q·TITI. This “label” style was a relatively new innovation at the Rome mint, giving the coin a modern, organized appearance.
• The Winged Horse: Pegasus was a symbol of speed and divine aid. In 90 BC, the Roman cavalry was under immense pressure. The image of a winged horse promised that the gods would provide the swiftness needed to outmaneuver the Italian rebels.
• The Linear Border: The entire scene is enclosed in a tight linear border, a hallmark of the high-quality dies produced by the Rome mint during this era.

4. Technical Details

• Metal: High-purity Silver (Denarius).
• Crawford 341/2: This is the standard reference from Michael Crawford’s Roman Republican Coinage.
• Rarity: While common as a type, finding specimens with well-centered “ivy wreaths” on Bacchus’s head is a challenge for collectors.

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