Roman Republic, Denarius

The obverse of this Roman denarius depicts the bearded head of Mars, the Roman god of war, wearing a helmet and a trophy over his shoulder. The inscription around him reads P. FONTEIVS. P. F. CAPITO. III. VIR. and refers to Publius Fonteius Publii filius Capito, Triumvir, the official who issued this coin in the year 55 BC.

The image on the reverse celebrates an indeterminable victory of Manius Fonteius, a military tribune and an ancestor of our moneyer. Fonteius is shown on horseback hurling a lance; on the ground before him are the weapons and the bodies of his slain enemies. The inscription reads MN. FONT. TR. MIL (Manius Fonteius Tribunus militium).