Roman Republic Silver Denarius 101BC M. Lucilius Rufus

Roman Republic Silver AR Denarius 101 B.C.

Moneyer: M. Lucilius Rufus

Obverse: PV, Helmeted head of Roma, right. Laurel-wreath border.

Reverse: M·LVCILI RVF, Victory in biga, right, holding reins in left hand and whip in right hand. Border of dots.

Date: 101 B.C., RRC (Crawford) 324/1

Size: 19.5mm diameter, 3.72g weight

Composition: Silver

Roma was the goddess/personification of the city of Rome. The abbreviation "PV" on the obverse stands for "pvblico" as in "argento pvblico," signifying this coin was produced from a special dispersal of "public silver" from the Republic's treasury. That abbreviation appears on this and several other coins issued during the latter years of the Cimbrian War (a decade-long war waged against various Celtic and Germanic tribes), indicating that this coin type was likely used to pay Marius' soldiers after he took command of the Roman army in 102 B.C.