28 November 2010

Roman sextans coin

I've never seen one before; I think they look cool.
The sextans was an Ancient Roman bronze coin produced during the Roman Republic valued at one-sixth of an as (2 unciae). The most common design for the sextans was the bust of Mercury and two pellets (indicating two unciae) on the obverse and the prow of a galley on the reverse. Earlier types depicted a scallop shell, a caduceus, or other symbols on the obverse.
Looks like the scallop also has two "pellets" next to it.  This coin from the British Museum collection, where it says the reverse (not shown) displays the inside of the scallop shell.   269-266 BC.

Photo via Couleurs and A London Salmagundi.

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