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Roman Republic, Denarius

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Roman Republic, Denarius (obverse) Roman Republic, Denarius (reverse)

This denarius was probably issued by Publius Licinius Nerva. The obverse portrays Roma; the star in front of her nose is the ligated mark of value, XVI for 16 asses.

The reverse depicts a voting scene with two voters and an attendant. Above is the inscription P. NERVA referring to the moneyer. On top is a bar with a tablet bearing the (very worn) letter P.

Later coins of the Roman Republic often had reverse designs alluding to the history of the moneyer's family. The occasion behind this voting scene is unclear, however, but presumably refers to some event in the family of the moneyer Publius Licinius Nerva.

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