Roman Coin: Denarius

Inv. No.: c050
Provenance: Q. Metellus Pius Scipio
Date: 47-46 B.C.
 
Obv.: Head of Jupiter, laureate, hair in ringlets.
Q.METEL.PIVS

Rev.: Elephant walking.
SCIPIO IMP.

The Metelli, a family of great antiquity, gave many illustrious citizens to the Republic. The coin refers modestly to a victory won in 250 B.C. by Lucius Caecilius Metellus (OCD, p. 268, s.v. “Caecilius Metellus, Lucius”) against the Carthaginians in Sicily. The spoils included 120 elephants, which were transported to Rome.

Comparanda:
S1046.