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Denarius (Coin) Portraying Marcus Claudius Marcellus

A work made of silver.
CC0 Public Domain Designation

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  • A work made of silver.

Date:

50-49 BCE, issued by Roman Republic, P. Cornelius Lentulus Marcellinus (moneyer)

Artist:

Roman, minted in Rome

About this artwork

The purpose of the first portrait coins was to identify the ruler. The front side became a mirror of the sovereign’s self-image. The back was often used to communicate the ruler’s accomplishments or intentions. The profile portrait was used because it suited the very shallow depth and limited surface of the coin. The tiny images were carved by engravers into bronze dies, one for the front and another for the back. The coins were then struck, one by one, in a process similar to how modern coins are created today.

Portraits as Publicity
Coins were an efficient form of publicity, particularly when new rulers needed to legitimize their succession or strengthen their reputation. Forbidden by Roman law to picture a living person on coinage, the politician Marcellinus pictured his famous ancestor Marcellus.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Arts of the Ancient Mediterranean and Byzantium

Culture

Ancient Roman

Title

Denarius (Coin) Portraying Marcus Claudius Marcellus

Place

Rome (Minted in)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

50 BCE–49 BCE

Medium

Silver

Inscriptions

Obverse: MARCELLINVS Reverse: MARCELLVS COS QVINQ

Dimensions

Diam.: 1.8 cm (3/4 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Martin A. Ryerson

Reference Number

1922.4846a

IIIF Manifest  The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world.

Learn more.

https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/96046/manifest.json

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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