Hallie Ford Museum of Art

Roman Denarius

Roman coin reverse

Roman Republic, 119 BCE

(HFMA# 2006.010.070, gift of James and Aneta McIntyre)

Reverse of a Roman silver denarius minted in commemoration of the victory of Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus and Quintus Fabius Maximus Allobrogicus over the Gallic Allobroges and Averni in 121 BCE.

Instead of the usual victory goddess, a helmeted Roma, identified by the inscription, holds a scepter in her left while crowing a trophy with her right. The trophy consists of Gallic arms, as marked by the bear head helmet on top and the two Celtic signal horns (carnyces) left and right of it. The mint master, a Marcus Furius Philus, son of Lucius, is identified by the abbreviated PHILI in the exergue.

The obverse (depicted below) shows a double-headed, bearded Janus head (the doors of the Janus temple were closed when Rome was at peace) and the inscription M. FOVRI. L. F, i.e. M. Furi(us) L(ucii) F(ilius). The coin is part of the James and Aneta McIntyre Collection of Greek and Roman Coins that is currently being prepared for exhibition.

Roman coin obverse