Ancient Greece - ROMA - Q. Marcius Libo. - Circa 148 BCE
$2,717
Denomination: AR Denarius
Mint: Rome
Weight: 3.71 gm (18 mm)
Date: 148 BC
Mount: 14K gold with Sapphire accent on all four prongs
Grade: Choice Fine
Description: Q. Marcius Libo. Obverse: Helmeted head of Roma right, X below chin. LIBO behind. Reverse: The Dioscuri, Castor and Pollux, on horseback galloping right, each holding an horizontal spear and surmounted by a star, with cloak floating behind.
Part of moneyer mark in field below horses with MA in monogram; inscription in exergue..
History: By the 4th century the Roman Empire had been divided up into Eastern and Western Empires, often times ruled by blood relatives. Each had its own capital city. From 330-346 AD, Constantine I (the Great) and his sons issued a few different types of coins that commemorated the centuries-old capital city of Rome and the new city established by Constantine. Named after himself, it was called Constantinopolis. They were minted to commemorate the city of Rome. Urbs Roma or can be translated as "The City of Rome".
History:The reverse shows the she-wolf and the twin brothers, Romulus and Remus, who are the key characters in the foundation myth of Rome. This scene became a symbol for the city of Rome. The two stars which appear refer to Rome’s constancy. 'SMALD' which often appears in the exergue is the mint mark which means Signata Moneta ALexanDria, “Money struck at Alexandria.”
Most often Urbs Roma coins have a wolf and twins depicting Romulus and Remus (the founders of Rome) being suckled by the she-wolf.
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By the 4th century the Roman Empire had been divided up into Eastern and Western Empires, often times ruled by blood relatives. Each had its own capital city. From 330-346 AD, Constantine I (the Great) and his sons issued a few different types of coins that commemorated the centuries-old capital city of Rome and the new city established by Constantine. Named after himself, it was called Constantinopolis. They were minted to commemorate the city of Rome. Urbs Roma or can be translated as "The City of Rome".
