© Heritage Auctions
© Heritage Auctions
Denarius Coelia: Gaius Coelius Caldus; C•COEL•CALDVS COS L•D / CALDVS•III•VIR 51 BC
51 BC year| Silver | 3.85 g | 19 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Republic (509 BC - 27 BC) |
|---|---|
| Period | Republic (509 BC - 27 BC) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 51 BC |
| Value | Denarius (1) |
| Currency | Denarius of 16 Asses (141 – 27 BC) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 3.85 g |
| Diameter | 19 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-06 |
| Numista | N#66710 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Radiate head of Sol right; behind, oval shield decorated with thunderbolt and sometimes with letter S above; below chin, circular Macedonian shield; before, inscription.
Border of dots.
Script: Latin
Lettering: CALDVS•III•VIR
Unabridged legend: Caldus Triumvir
Translation: Caldus, [Monetary] Triumvirate
Edge
Plain
Comment
The gens Coelia, or Coilia was a plebeian family, but of consular rank. Some assert that the head of this family was Coelius Vibulo Etruscus, who came to the aid of Romulus against the Sabines, and gave his name to the Coelian Mount at Rome.Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it features a rare and unique design element - a portrait of a Roman consul, Gaius Coelius Caldus, on the obverse (front side), while the reverse (back side) bears the image of a triumphal arch, which was a symbol of Roman military victory. This coin was minted during a time of great political and social change in Rome, just a few years before the fall of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire under Julius Caesar.
