Roman Republic Coin. Denarius of C. Memmius. 56 BC
Production date
0056 BCE
Country
Italy
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Object detail
Description
Obv: Head of Ceres r.; before, C·MEMMI·C·F downwards. Border of dots / Rev: Trophy; kneeling captive with hands tied; C·MEMMIVS downwards; IMPERATOR downwards. Border of dots (RRC 427/1)
Classification
NUMISMATICS (COINS AND TOKENS) Ancient Roman Coins
Maker
Production date
0056 BCE
Production place
Measurements
19.5mm (diameter)
2mm (thickness)
3gm (weight)
2mm (thickness)
3gm (weight)
Media/Materials description
Silver
Signature/Marks
C·MEMMI·C·
IMPERATOR
C·MEMMIVS
IMPERATOR
C·MEMMIVS
History and use
This denarius was minted by Roman moneyer Gaius Memmius, a member of a Roman-Sabine family and grandson of the dictator Sulla. The obverse depicts the goddess of agriculture Ceres and is a reference to Gaius’ ancestor, C. Memmius Quirinus (a plebeian aedile who was the first to exhibit the Cereales festival). The reverse features a trophy with a kneeling captives and IMPERATOR legend, an allusion to the moneyer’s uncle, Gaius, a propraetorial governor in Bithynia and Pontus (57-56 BC).
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
N2380
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