About this artwork
The denarius, introduced in 211 BCE, was the principal silver coin of Rome for five hundred years. The profile
head of the goddess Roma—the personification of Rome—was the most popular image depicted on silver denarii in the second and first centuries BCE.
The front (obverse) of this coin depicts the helmeted head of the goddess Roma, facing to the right. On the back (reverse), two centaurs (half-man, half-horse) pull the hero Hercules in a chariot.
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Status
- Currently Off View
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Department
- Arts of the Ancient Mediterranean and Byzantium
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Culture
- Ancient Roman
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Title
- Denarius (Coin) Depicting the Goddess Roma
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Place
- Roman Empire (Artist's nationality:)
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Date
- 139 BCE
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Medium
- Silver
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Inscriptions
- Obverse: X COTA Reverse: M ARELI ROMA
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Dimensions
- Diam.: 1.9 cm (3/4 in.)
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Credit Line
- Gift of William F. Dunham
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Reference Number
- 1920.747
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IIIF Manifest
- https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/141587/manifest.json