#ancient numismatics

Tetradrachm of the polisof Rhegion (present-day Reggio Calabria) in Bruttium, south Italy. On the obverse, a lion’s head; on the reverse, the head of Apollo, crowned with laurel. Artist unknown; minted between 410 and 387 BCE. Photo credit: Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. http://www.cngcoins.com

Denarius minted by L. Plaetorius Cestianus in the summer or autumn of 42 BCE, from a military mint under the control of M. Junius Brutus and C. Cassius Longinus. The coin celebrates Brutus and Cassius’ claim to have liberated Rome by assassinating C. Julius Caesar. On the obverse, the head of Brutus, identified as IMP(ERATOR); on the reverse, the pileus, a cap worn by freed slaves, between two daggers with the inscription EID(IBUS) MAR(TIIS) = “On the Ides of March”. Photo credit: Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. http://www.cngcoins.com

Stater of the polis of Corinth. On the obverse, Pegasus above the Greek letter qoppa; on the reverse, Athena wearing a Corinthian helmet. Artist unknown; minted ca. 515-500 BCE. Photo credit: Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. http://www.cngcoins.com