Roman Republic Coin Pendant

Obverse: Portrait of Roma
Reverse: Equestrian statue standing atop a three-arched aqueduct
Date: c. 114–113 B.C.
Bezel: 14k Gold
Weight: 5.91 grams
Diameter: 21 mm / .83 in

Description

This item is an authentic Roman Republic silver Denarius minted under Mn. Aemilius Lepidus, placed in a handmade bezel of 14k Gold. There is only 1 of this item; you will receive the exact pendant shown in the photos.

History of the Artifact

This silver denarius was struck at Rome around 114–113 BC by the Republican moneyer Mn. Aemilius Lepidus, a member of the ancient and prestigious Aemilii family. The obverse presents Roma in an unusually elegant form, wearing a laurel wreath, diadem, and drapery rather than the martial helmet in which she commonly appears on earlier Republican denarii. This more refined representation demonstrates how Roman coin engravers could reinterpret familiar civic personifications while maintaining their connection to the Republic itself. 

The reverse is particularly remarkable, depicting an equestrian statue standing atop a three-arched structure generally identified with the Aqua Marcia, one of Rome's great aqueducts. The imagery appears to celebrate the achievements and ancestry of the moneyer's family: construction of the Aqua Marcia had begun while a member of the gens Aemilia held the censorship in 179 BC, while the horseman above may represent a distinguished Aemilian ancestor. The design is an excellent example of the increasingly personal character of late Republican coinage, as ambitious Roman families used circulating money to advertise their ancestry, public works, and contributions to the Roman state.

Ancient Artifacts guarantees the Authenticity of items sold through a three layer system of protection: 

1. Ancient Artifacts exclusively sources artifacts from trusted and reputable antique distributors, many of whom have been selling Artifacts for decades.  
2. Next, the Artifact is inspected by an expert team member, who is professionally trained in counterfeit detection After the artifact passes inspection, the Certificate of Authenticity is signed and the Artifact is packaged. 
3. Finally, Ancient Artifacts gives an additional layer of protection by promising a full refund with no questions asked, in the extremely unlikely event that a counterfeit slips through our vetting process.

You will receive the exact pendant shown in the photos.

Imperial Roman denarii are common on the antiquities market because they were minted in enormous quantities throughout the first three centuries AD and circulated widely across the Roman Empire. Emperors used these silver coins to pay the army, fund public projects, and stabilize the economy, which led to a constant output from the imperial mints. Their silver content and durable design helped many of them survive in good condition, even after being buried for centuries.

These coins are frequently found in former Roman provinces, particularly in areas like the Balkans, Britain, France, and the Near East, where hoards were buried and forgotten during times of conflict or upheaval. In modern times, thousands have been uncovered through metal detecting and excavations, and many entered the collector market during periods of looser regulation in the 19th and 20th centuries. Because of their abundance and historical appeal, imperial denarii remain among the most available and popular ancient coins to own.