Anonymous, silver denarius (Series II, Type IV), 3.99 g.

Anonymous, silver denarius (Series II, Type IV), 3.99 g.

91 - 89 BCE

Obverse: Laureate head of Italia wearing earring and necklace left; behind, (in Oscan letters) ITALIA downwards. Border of dots.

Reverse: A warrior, standing, head to right, wearing helmet and cloak, resting right hand on spear pointing down, holding sword in left hand, left foot on upper portion of Roman standard; on right, recumbent Sabellian ox.

Style/Period: Roman Republic

During the Social War (91-89 BCE), the Confederate States, which had broken all economic ties with Rome, began to issue their own coinage to finance their rebellion. The allies issued two types of silver coins: coins with Latin inscriptions and coins with Oscan inscriptions, on which they used types well known on Roman coins. This coin was issued by the Italian Confederation during the Social War to commemorate its successes. The spear pointing downwards on the reverse is a sign of victory. The standing figure could be Mars, C. Papius Mutilus, a Samnite general, or perhaps Italia again. He is swearing an oath of allegiance over the sacrifice of an ox reclining nearby.
-- Bradford W. Wendel, LU '96

Bibliography: A. Sambon, Les monnaies antiques de l'Italie (Paris 1903) 129-130, no. 225; H. A. Grueber, Coins of the Roman Republic in the British Museum (London 1910), II, 328-329, no. 19; E. A. Sydenham, The Coinage of the Roman Republic (London 1952) 92, no. 627; C. Foss, Roman Historical Coins (London 1990) 7, no. 24a.

Classics Department Collection

C027

Wriston Art Center Galleries, Lawrence University, Appleton, WI,wriston-gallery@lawrence.edu,920-832-6890