Unique Heads Roman Republic Coins

Aside from its purchasing power ancient Roman Republic coins were also utilized to convey a meaning or relate an idea through their designs or inscriptions. The entire Roman state was the first image that appeared on the coins during the Roman Republic in 150-100 BC. Tresviri monetales or often regarded as the 'trio of money men', decided what images to feature on the coins. Julius Caesar increased the number of tresviri monetales from three to four during the end of the Republic. However the position of these men only lasted until the middle of the third century AD.

Earliest Denarious

The earliest Roman republic denarius was adorned with the bust of Roma on the obverse, and a deity driving a biga or quadriga on the reverse. These coins occasionally exhibited control marks such as small symbols, or monograms that were used to indicate who was responsible for a certain coin. Abbreviated forms of the moneyer’s name replaced the monograms and other symbols. Coins of Sextus Pompeius Fostulus portray images that display the family history of moneyers. The number of references multiplied and the depictions became the focus of the current interest.

Self-promoting Imagery

In the Roman Republic the Self-promoting imagery on coins was part of the fierce competition amongst the ruling class. The degree of competition amongst the upper class has been exhibited by Lex Gabinia, which introduced secret ballots in elections in order to lessen electoral corruption. The messages were designed for and by the elite and weren’t meant to influence the masses.

Valerius Flaccus Denarius

The Roman Republic Denarius released by L. Valerius Flaccus, 108 - 107 B.C., weighs 3.878g with a maximum diameter of 20.5mm. The obverse showed an image of a winged and draped bust of Victory, while the reverse displays Mars walking left holding a spear in right and a trophy in left.

Head of Roma

With the head of Roma facing right in a winged helmet in its obverse side, the Roman Republic, M. Porcius Laeca, 125 B.C. only weighed about 3.768g and had a maximum diameter of 18.3mm. Its reverse shows Libertas, holding rod and pileus, in galloping quadriga right.

This Roman Republic coin, L. Caecilius Metellus, 128 B.C., shows the head of Roma facing right in winged helmet, while Pax or Juno is in a biga facing right and an elephant head with bell at the neck below on the reverse. This coin weighs .788g, with a maximum diameter of 18.9mm.

7 and 8 Denarius

This ancient Roman Republic 7 and 8 denarius, Mn. Fonteius, 108 - 107 B.C., displays conjoined and laureate heads of Dioscuri on the obverse while the reverse has an image of a galley under oar on the obverse type. This coin weighs 3.880g, with a maximum diameter of 19.9mm.

There are countless designs of ancient Roman Republic coins available in the market today. These ancient Roman coins are a great investment, since its prices would surely soar in the next generation. Owning these coins is also a good way to treasure the history of the past civilization.