Caius Mamilius Limetanus, silver denarius serratus, 3.56 g.
Title
Caius Mamilius Limetanus, silver denarius serratus, 3.56 g.
Creator
Caius Mamilius Limetanus
Date
c. 82 - 81 BCE
Description
Obverse: Draped bust of Mercury right, with winged petasus, chlamys and caduceus over left shoulder; to left, control mark, S. Line border.
Reverse: Ulysses standing right, wearing pileus and holding staff in left hand and extending right hand to Argus; to left, [C] MAMI[L] downwards; to right, LIMETAN upwards. Line border.
Style/Period: Roman Republic
Caius Mamilius Limetanus appears to have claimed descent from both Mercury and Ulysses by depicting both of them on this coin. On the obverse is a bust of Mercury, father of Ulysses and god of travelers and merchants. He is wearing the petasus, a broad-brimmed felt hat, and chlamys, a large wool cloak, of a traveler. The caduceus or herald's staff was a common attribute of Mercury. On the reverse is Ulysses himself, shown as he returned to Ithaca from the Trojan War disguised in traveler's dress. Ulysses' dog Argus, the only one to recognize Ulysses through his disguise, was so overjoyed by the return of his master that he died. The serrated edge of this coin signifies that it was a special issue for use in the northern provinces (see coin C013). This is the only serrated coin issued in this year.
-- Bradford W. Wendel, LU '96
Bibliography: E. Babelon, Description historique et chronologique des monnaies de la republique romaine (Paris and London 1885-1886) Mamilia, 6; H. A. Grueber, Coins of the Roman Republic in the British Museum (London 1910), I, 343-344, no. 2728; T. R. S. Broughton, The Magistrates of the Roman Republic, II (New York 1952) 444; E. A. Sydenham, The Coinage of the Roman Republic (London 1952) 119, no. 741; M. H. Crawford, Roman Republican Coinage (London 1974) 375, 377, no. 362/1; C. H. V. Sutherland, Roman Coins (New York 1974) 80, nos. 123-124; J. P. C. Kent, Roman Coins (New York 1978). pl. 15, no. 49; R. A. G. Carson, Principal Coins of the Romans, I (London 1978) 45, no. 145.
-- Bradford W. Wendel, LU '96
Bibliography: E. Babelon, Description historique et chronologique des monnaies de la republique romaine (Paris and London 1885-1886) Mamilia, 6; H. A. Grueber, Coins of the Roman Republic in the British Museum (London 1910), I, 343-344, no. 2728; T. R. S. Broughton, The Magistrates of the Roman Republic, II (New York 1952) 444; E. A. Sydenham, The Coinage of the Roman Republic (London 1952) 119, no. 741; M. H. Crawford, Roman Republican Coinage (London 1974) 375, 377, no. 362/1; C. H. V. Sutherland, Roman Coins (New York 1974) 80, nos. 123-124; J. P. C. Kent, Roman Coins (New York 1978). pl. 15, no. 49; R. A. G. Carson, Principal Coins of the Romans, I (London 1978) 45, no. 145.
Source
Classics Department Collection
Identifier
C031
Rights
Wriston Art Center Galleries, Lawrence University, Appleton, WI,wriston-gallery@lawrence.edu,920-832-6890
Files
Citation
Caius Mamilius Limetanus, “Caius Mamilius Limetanus, silver denarius serratus, 3.56 g.,” Lawrence University Classics Department & Ottilia Buerger Coin Collections, accessed November 5, 2026, https://thor.lawrence.edu/omeka/buerger/items/show/392.