Glossary

Apex

A round or conical hat with a wooden pointed piece of wood on top. Usually worn by the Pontifex Maximus and the Flamines.

Cistophori

A common coin denomination found in Asia. They were usually silver, weighing around 12g.

corona civica

The civic crown, awarded to a person who had saved a citizens life in battle.

cursus honorum

The sequence of offices in the career of a Roman politician

curule chair

An ivory folding seat, without back or arms, used by the higher Roman magistrates (Curule Aediles, Praetors, Consuls and Censors).

dies

A metal stamping tool engraved with the negative of a design, from which the positive image is transferred to the coin blanks during minting.

equestrian statue

A statue of a person riding a horse.

exergue

A space on the coin below the central design, usually delineated by a line.

fasti

Marble tablets recording the offices of magistrates.

Flan

Cast metal disc onto which the coin was struck.

Gens

A clan consisting of many families sharing a common name, for example, the Iulii.

Harpa

A sickle, associated with Neptune.

Laureate

wearing a laurel wreath.

Legend

The words engraved on a coin.

Lictors

Officers who carried the fasces (bundles of rods with axes) who preceded a Dictator, Master of the Horse, Consul and Praetor.

Lituus

An augur's staff, similar to a Bishop's crosier, which he held while taking the auspices.

Monograms

A figure which joins together several letters so they appear as one.

Obverse

The side of the coin which is struck by the die that is attached to the anvil. It usually includes information about the issuing authority of the coin.

Palladium

An image of Pallas or Minerva holding a lance and shield, which was brought from Troy to Rome.

quattuorviri monetales

Four men who supervised the minting of coins in the republic. The office was increased from three to four by Julius Caesar in 44 BC.

reverse

The side of the coin which is struck by the die that is not attached to the anvil.

Rostra

A platform made of scaffolding where a magistrate or orator could address the people of Rome.

saltire

a diagonal cross or X

senatus consultum

In the Republican period, indicates that a coin was issued by the authority of the Senate.

triumviri monetales (IIIVIR)

Three men who supervised the minting of coins in the republic.

Triumviri Rei Publicae Constituendae (IIIVIR RPC)

Three men in charge of the restoration of the Republic.

Type

The image on a coin.