© British Museum
© British Museum
Denarius Clodia: Publius Clodius; IMP• CAESAR / P•CLODIVS M•F 42 BC
42 BC year| Silver | 3.88 g | 19 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Republic (509 BC - 27 BC) |
|---|---|
| Period | Republic (509 BC - 27 BC) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 42 BC |
| Value | Denarius (1) |
| Currency | Denarius of 16 Asses (141 – 27 BC) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 3.88 g |
| Diameter | 19 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-06 |
| Numista | N#390511 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Mars standing facing, wearing helmet and holding spear in right hand and sword in scabbard in left hand. Border of dots.
Script: Latin
Lettering: P•CLODIVS M•F
Unabridged legend: Publius Clodius Marcus Filius
Translation: Publius Clodius, son of Marcus
Comment
The gens Clodia, or Claudia, was one of the most prominent patrician houses at Rome. The gens traced its origin to the earliest days of the Roman Republic. The first of the Clodii to obtain the consulship was Appius Clodius Sabinus Regillensis in 495 BC, and from that time its members frequently held the highest offices of the state, both under the Republic and in imperial times.
Interesting fact
The Denarius coin features an image of Publius Clodius, a Roman politician and soldier, on one side, and an image of Julius Caesar on the other. This coin was minted during a time of political tension between Clodius and Caesar, and it's believed that Clodius had the coin minted as a way to promote his own image and power. This coin is considered a rare and valuable artifact, and it provides a unique insight into the political climate of ancient Rome during the late Republic period.
