Denarius Portraying Marcus Claudius Marcellus
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
50-49 BCE, issued by Roman Republic, P. Cornelius Lentulus Marcellinus (moneyer)
This object is a silver denarius struck in Rome during the Roman Republic between 50 and 49 BCE. Issued under the moneyer P. Cornelius Lentulus Marcellinus, the circular coin measures 1.8 cm (3/4 in.) in diameter and presents relief imagery on both sides.
The obverse features a right-facing portrait in profile of Marcus Claudius Marcellus, accompanied by the inscription "MARCELLINVS". The reverse displays an architectural scene with a figure near a temple structure, flanked by the inscription "MARCELLVS COS QVINQ". The designs were produced by striking the silver blank between carved bronze dies.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Coins functioned as an efficient medium for publicity in the Roman Republic. Because Roman law forbade portraying a living person on coinage, the moneyer Marcellinus selected his deceased ancestor Marcellus to appear on this issue.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Silver
- Dimensions
- Diam.: 1.8 cm (3/4 in.)
Technical characteristics
- Inscriptions
- Obverse: MARCELLINVS Reverse: MARCELLVS COS QVINQ
- Maker recorded
- Roman, minted in Rome
- Place recorded
- Rome
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Art Institute of Chicago collection record for this single object; how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Museum object name
- Denarius (Coin) Portraying Marcus Claudius Marcellus
- Museum object number
- 1922.4846a
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Research required
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.