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Tetradrachm of Syracuse
The front side shows the head of Arethusa, a nymph praised for her beauty. She is wearing pearls and a necklace which often showed high status. The four dolphins surrounding Arethusa connects her to Syracuse, Sicily because the sea is important to…
Sestertius of Trajan Decius
This coin features a portrait of Trajan Decius, who became Emperor of Rome after killing his predecessor Philip the Arab during a rebellion. Trajan Decius reigned for only two years until he was killed in the Battle of Abritus alongside his son, with…
Sesterius of Hadrian
The coin’s obverse portrays a profile of Roman Emperor Hadrian (76-138 CE) wearing a laurel crown, signifying his victories. The coin features a small crack alongside Hadrian’s neck, indicating its extensive use. The coin’s reverse depicts a seated…
Roman Republic L. Valerius Flaccus
The obverse side of the coin pictures the winged bust of Victory, possibly chosen in hopes for success in the Jugurthine War. The reverse pictures Mars, the god of war, holding a spear and a trophy next to grain. Also on the reverse is an apex, which…
Didrachm
Like most Roman Republic coinage, the figures on the obverse are mythological; the twin Dioscuri appear conjoined at the back of the head. These brothers, one mortal and the other divine, were renowned for their horsemanship and thought to protect…
Denarius of C. Publicius Metellus
Apollo the god of the sun, music and medicine is pictured on the obverse. This could represent the Romans feeling that they had superior skills in medicine and music. On the reverse, a Roman soldier is seated on a pile of shields holding a sword with…
AU Stater of Mithridates VI
Mithridates' royal propaganda expresses both his eastern and western ancestry and military victory. The obverse of this coin depicts Alexander the Great wearing the horn of Zeus Ammon. The reverse shows Athena seated with her elbow resting on a…
AR Denarius of MarK Antony
Obverse: Figure of Mark Antony. Reverse: War trophy with sword and shield hanging upon it. Marc Antony was a Roman general who had solidified his reputation after a win in the last civil war which led to the downfall of the empire. Displayed on the…
AR Denarius of M. Tullius
The obverse of this coin is the head of Roma facing right, while the reverse shows Victoria driving a quadriga to the right with a sheaf of wheat in her left hand. The goddess Roma is the female personification of the city and state of Rome. The…
AR Denarius of Lucilla
This silver coin features an image of Augusta Lucilla, daughter of former Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius and granddaughter of Antoninus Pius, both among the "Five Good Emperors." Lucilla was a child bride to her father’s co-ruler, Lucius Verus, making…