Roman Republic Coin. Denarius Serratus of L. Cosconius. 118 BC.
Production date
0118 BCE
Country
France
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Object detail
Description
Obv: Head of Roma, right, wearing Attic helmet; L·COSCO·M·F legend. Border of dots / Rev: Naked, bearded warrior in biga, holding shield, carnyx and reins (left) and hurling spear (right); L·LIC·CN·DOM (RRC 282/2)
Classification
NUMISMATICS (COINS AND TOKENS) Ancient Roman Coins
Production date
0118 BCE
Production place
Measurements
17.5mm (diameter)
2mm (thickness)
4gm (weight)
2mm (thickness)
4gm (weight)
Media/Materials description
silver
Signature/Marks
L·LIC·CN·DOM
L·COSCO·M·F
L·COSCO·M·F
History and use
This denarius serratus was minted by Roman moneyer Lucius Cosconius, a member of a plebian family and son of a praetor. This coin was deliberately serrated to combat forgeries and show the purity of silver in the new province of Narbo (France). The obverse depicts the crested helmet personification of Rome (Roma), and the reverse features a naked Gallic warrior on a biga with a shield and hurling spear. The reverse is a reference to the Roman’s victory over the Gauls in establishing Narbo.
History is contained in the designs and the imagery on coins were used as an opportunity to send messages concerning power, ideology, commemoration, and to bestow honour. Yet, more than that, coins are also dynamic items of material culture. They are small, portable and durable, and have been used for millennia to enable the transaction of goods and services. Coins are also part of everyday life, and unlike other items of material culture, tend not to have one owner; indeed, each coin has been passed through multiple people’s hands through time.
History is contained in the designs and the imagery on coins were used as an opportunity to send messages concerning power, ideology, commemoration, and to bestow honour. Yet, more than that, coins are also dynamic items of material culture. They are small, portable and durable, and have been used for millennia to enable the transaction of goods and services. Coins are also part of everyday life, and unlike other items of material culture, tend not to have one owner; indeed, each coin has been passed through multiple people’s hands through time.
Registration number
N2378
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