AE Uncia
Coin (Money)
The battle of Cannae was a war for power between the Roman Republic and Carthage when the Roman Republic accepted a brutal defeat. (This defeat overlapped with when this coin was made and in circulation throughout Rome.)This coin's worn bust shows Sol, the Roman sun god, and the moon goddess Luna, represented by a crescent moon with stars above. These two gods are usually seen together to show power over the land day and night, just as the sun and the moon possess. In the face of such a loss this imagery would bring citizens hope to rebuild and shed light day and night in the form of currency.
The Roman Republic
Syd. 96; Craw. 39/4
ARTH250 (Professor V. Rousseau Fall 2021)
216 BCE
SR
University Art Collection, University of St. Thomas (St. Paul)
Bronze (metal)
Latin
physical object
2012.02.132
Roman Republic
AR Sestertius of Antoninus Pius
money; coins (money)
Emperor Antoninus Pius issued this coin to commemorate his late and deified wife Faustina (the Elder), renowned for her beauty and wisdom, who passed in 140 CE. The front side of this coin is the draped bust of Roman Empress Diva Faustina, who wore her hair in a distinctive braided french twist. The back depicts Aeternitas, a Roman goddess who is the divine personification of eternity, minted in memory of Faustina. Aeternitas is holding an eternal phoenix on a globe with her left hand while hitching up the hem of her skirt with her right hand.
Antoninus Pius, Emperor of Rome
Sear 4607; RIC 3-1105
ARTH250 (Professor V. Rousseau Fall 2021)
148 CE
KL
University Art Collection, University of St. Thomas (St. Paul)
Bronze (metal)
Latin
physical object
2012.02.215
Roman Empire
AE Sestertius of Antoninus Pius
money; coins (money)
Antoninus Pius was one of the “The Five Good Emperors” that helped the Roman Empire prosper under his rule. In that period the empire expanded in size and experienced a time of great peace. The front of coin displays the side profile of his face, adorned with a Civic Crown, symbolizing triumph or victory. On the reverse side of the coin is Annona, the goddess of grain for the city of Rome. Grain was one of the most important resources during that time. The coin symbolizes the Empire’s success and how important resources were plentiful under Antoninus Pius' rule.
Antoninus Pius, Emperor of Rome
Sear 4205; RIC 3-1031
ARTH250 (Professor V. Rousseau, Fall 2021)
158 CE
CO
University Art Collection, University of St. Thomas (St. Paul)
Bronze (metal)
Latin
Physical Object
2012.02.241
Roman Empire
AR Denarius of Marcus Aurelius
money; coins (money)
Marcus Aurelius was a philosopher as well as ruler of the Roman empire from 161 CE-180 CE. His portrait represents his power as the last of the "Five Good Emperors" and his continued building of a prosperous empire. On the reverse side of the coin, Aequitas, who represents equality, holds a cornucopia and a scale. The cornucopia represents prosperity which continued under his reign. The scale held balanced in Aequitas’ hand, symbolizes justice, one of the founding principles of the Roman Empire, which is also at the core of Marcus Aurelius' philosophy.
Marcus Aurelius, Emperor of Rome
RIC 3-359
ARTH250 (Professor V. Rousseau, fall 2019)
176 CE
DR, VR
University Art Collection, University of St. Thomas (St. Paul)
Silver (metal)
Latin
Physical Object
2012.02.217
Roman Empire
AR Denarius of Marcus Aurelius
money; coins (money)
Emperor, stoic philosopher, and author of The Meditations, Marcus Aurelius was the last of Rome's Five Good Emperors. “You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” His teachings, such as this, outlined his belief as to how a virtuous Roman ought to live. On the back of the coin, we find the God Honos of honor and military justice holding an olive branch (symbolizing peace) and a cornucopia (symbolizing abundance and prosperity). These symbols, which showcase Aurelus’s philosophy and values, appear throughout history and even on our contemporary dime.
Marcus Aurelius, Emperor of Rome
RIC 3-429(n)
ARTH250 (Professor V. Rousseau, Fall 2021)
145 CE
JB
University Art Collection, University of St. Thomas (St. Paul)
Silver (metal)
Latin
Physical object
2012.02.216
Roman Empire
AR Denarius of Geta
money; coins(money)
This coin depicts the face of Roman emperor Geta on one side and Mars, the god of war, wielding a spear and trophy on the other. Minted in what is present day Syria, this artifact was likely designed to express past success in war. This emperor actually had a relatively unique reign, as he co-ruled with his brother, Caracalla, with whom he did have good relations. Because of their poor relationship, Caracalla assassinated Geta in 211, and as a result ordered most of Geta’s depictions eradicated. Thus, this coin is actually quite rare compared to other denarii.
Geta, Emperor of Rome
Sear 7179; RIC 103
ARTH250 (Professor V. Rousseau, Fall 2021)
200 CE
JM
University Art Collection, University of St. Thomas (St. Paul)
Silver (metal)
Latin
Physical Object
2012.02.222
Roman Empire
AR Denarius of Elagabalus
money; coin (money)
The obverse depicts Elagabalus, born Sextus Varius Avitus Bassius, a controversial and absent emperor. Elagabalus forced Rome to worship the Syrian sun deity, Elagabal, in place of Jupiter; arranged a marriage to a prominent enemy of Rome, Urania; and crossdressed to seduce men in Rome. Unsuited to rule the imperial throne, he was beheaded by the Praetorian Guard after a four year reign.
The reverse depicts Roma, goddess of Rome, holding Victory and a scepter, symbolizing civilization and all humanity’s advancements. Hidden within the simplicity of the traditional coin is the complex character of Elagabalus.
Elagabalus, Emperor of Rome
Sear 7540; RIC 4128
ARTH250 (Professor V. Rousseau Fall 2021)
219 CE
AV
University Art Collection, University of St. Thomas (St. Paul)
silver (metal)
Latin
physical object
2012.02.225
Roman Empire
AR Denarius of Julia Domna
money; coins (money)
The obverse side of the coin features the face of Julia Domna with text on either side of her face. The reverse side of the coin features Juno holding a scepter and a patera, a peacock on the left of the goddess, and dotted lines surrounding the figure. The scepter shows Juno’s role as queen of the Gods, and the peacock is her symbol. Julia Domna is known as a loyal and caring empress, and this can be compared to Juno since both are shown as maternal figures and are queens.
Julia Domna, Empress of Rome
Sear 6589; RIC 640
ARTH250 (Professor V. Rousseau, Fall 2021)
196 CE
OJ
University Art Collection, University of St. Thomas (St. Paul)
Silver (metal)
Latin
Physical Object
2012.02.232
Roman Empire
AR Denarius of Lucilla
money; coins (money)
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 her Empress at the age of eleven. Lucilla’s younger brother, Commodus, often behaved erratically, which concerned Lucilla when he served as emperor with their father - and Commodus had her killed over her concerns. The reverse side features Venus Victrix, holding a statue of Victory, while leaning against a shield. Venus Victrix was a powerful woman like Lucilla.
Lucilla, Empress of Rome
Sear 5492; RIC 3-786
ARTH250 (Professor V. Rousseau, Fall 2021)
168 CE
NG
University Art Collection, University of St. Thomas (St. Paul)
Silver (metal)
Latin
Physical Object
2012.02.220
Roman Empire
AE Quadrans
money; coins (money)
Unlike typical Roman coins which feature gods, goddess, or emperors, this AE Quadrans features a right hand and on the reverse side barley leaves. Although the symbolism of the hand is unknown, the barley leaves represent flourishing agriculture; perhaps the hand could also be related to labor. Compared to other coins, the AE Quadrans is considerably larger, thicker, darker and heavier. On both sides of the coin, three dots, known as “denominational marks” or “pellets,” indicate the coin’s worth. Similar to the quarter, this coin is worth one fourth of an “as” which is comparable to a dollar.
Roman Republic
Syd. 11; Craw. 14/4
ARTH250 (Professor V. Rousseau Fall 2021)
280 BCE
VGW
University Art Collection, University of St. Thomas (St. Paul)
Bronze (metal)
Latin
physical object
2012.02.124
Roman Republic