quinarius, Roman Republic, 47-46 BCE

Date47-46 BCE

CultureItalian

MediumSilver

DimensionsCoin Dimensions: 1.44 cm, 1.69 g

Credit LineTransfer from Vassar College Classics Department, 1968

On View

Not on view

PeriodRoman Republic

Classification(s)

Coins and Medals

Denomination

Quinarius

Language

Latin

Minting Official

M. Cato

Minting Location

Rome

Region

Africa

Obverse Description

A border of dots surrounds the head of Liber, with an ivy wreath on, looking right. M CATO PRO P R is inscribed below.

Obverse Expanded

MARCUS CATO PRO POPULUS ROMANUS

Obverse Legend

M CATO PRO P R

Obverse Translated

Marcus Cato on behalf of the people of Rome

Reverse Description

A border of dots surrounds Victory, seated facing right, with a patera in her right hand and a palm branch in her left hand, over her left shoulder. VICTRIX is inscribed in exergue.

Reverse Expanded

VICTRIX

Reverse Legend

VICTRIX

Reverse Translated

Conqueror

BibliographyCrawford, 462.2DescriptionThe obverse shows the head of Liber, god of Freedom accompanied by the legend M CATO PRO POPULO ROMANO, "Marcus Cato on behalf of the people of Rome." The reverse of the coin shows the goddess Victory in a seated position with a patera (sacrificial bowl) in her right hand and a palm branch in her other and the legend reads: VICTRIX (victorious). The characterization of Liber as Victorious was an innovation publicized perhaps to counter Caesar's claim to Venus' martial favor. The legend "on behalf of the people of Rome" together with the god of Freedom suggests that Caesar was already publicly considered by some at least to be aiming at monarchy. Two years later this supposed ambition was the reason given by the assassins for Caesar's murder on the Ides of March.

Terms

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email loebcollections@vassar.edu