Denarius (Coin) Depicting the God Quirinus
60 BCE, issued by the Roman Republic, C. Memmius (moneyer)
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
Diam.: 2.1 cm (7/8 in.)
Classification
coin
Department
Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
139871
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
The front (obverse) of this coin depicts the God Head Quirinus, bearded and facing right. On the back (reverse), the goddess Ceres is depicted seated, facing right and holding a scepter and an ear of wheat. In the foreground, a rearing serpent is shown.
About the Artist
Ancient Roman
The artists attributed to "Ancient Roman" in museum collections represent the anonymous craftsmen who produced the vast output of sculpture, frescoes, mosaics, and reliefs defining Roman visual culture from the Republic (c. 509–27 BCE) to the late Empire (c. 395 CE). Individual identities remain elusive, as Roman makers were typically viewed as skilled tradesmen—often enslaved Greeks or provincial...