DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.51762#0092
HISTORICAL ROMAN COINS
REG pONF MAX S C-(the NF ligatured
to represent NTIF).
Silver denarius. 3-98 grammes (61'5 grains). B.M.C. I., p. 449,
No. 3648.
This coin was struck about 65 b.c. by M. Aemilius
Lepidus, a descendant of the person whom it com-
memorates. Other coins of the same date and
money er represent (1) the equestrian statue, granted
by the Senate, of one Aemilius Lepidus, who as a
boy of fifteen slew an enemy in battle and saved the
life of a Roman citizen ; (2) the Basilica Aemilia.
The inscription on the former is M LEPIDVS AN XV'
PRHOCS' Valerius Maximus tells the story, and
uses the phrase progressus in aciem. Consequently the
abbreviations have been resolved: an(norum) XV.
pr(ogressus) h(ostem) o(ccisit) c(ivem) s(ervavit).
But the participle progressus can hardly be used
absolutely.1 A better suggestion is praetextatus,
although his standing is sufficiently indicated by
AN -XV.2 It seems to be generally assumed, without
1 Mr. George Macdonald suggests that, in view of the extraordinary
coincidence between the words of Valerius Maximus (progressus in
aciem hostem inter emit, civem servavit') and the inscription on the coin,
progressus may after all be right ; Valerius Maximus, or his authority,
may be quoting (from memory) the actual inscription of which the
coin gives a shorthand version. But these abbreviated inscriptions on
Roman coins show a curious conscientiousness on the part of the
engravers, who represent every word of the original in some way
(cf. No. 96).
2 There is no stop between the P and the R, otherwise P(opuli)
R(omani), qualifying H(ostem), would be possible.
52
REG pONF MAX S C-(the NF ligatured
to represent NTIF).
Silver denarius. 3-98 grammes (61'5 grains). B.M.C. I., p. 449,
No. 3648.
This coin was struck about 65 b.c. by M. Aemilius
Lepidus, a descendant of the person whom it com-
memorates. Other coins of the same date and
money er represent (1) the equestrian statue, granted
by the Senate, of one Aemilius Lepidus, who as a
boy of fifteen slew an enemy in battle and saved the
life of a Roman citizen ; (2) the Basilica Aemilia.
The inscription on the former is M LEPIDVS AN XV'
PRHOCS' Valerius Maximus tells the story, and
uses the phrase progressus in aciem. Consequently the
abbreviations have been resolved: an(norum) XV.
pr(ogressus) h(ostem) o(ccisit) c(ivem) s(ervavit).
But the participle progressus can hardly be used
absolutely.1 A better suggestion is praetextatus,
although his standing is sufficiently indicated by
AN -XV.2 It seems to be generally assumed, without
1 Mr. George Macdonald suggests that, in view of the extraordinary
coincidence between the words of Valerius Maximus (progressus in
aciem hostem inter emit, civem servavit') and the inscription on the coin,
progressus may after all be right ; Valerius Maximus, or his authority,
may be quoting (from memory) the actual inscription of which the
coin gives a shorthand version. But these abbreviated inscriptions on
Roman coins show a curious conscientiousness on the part of the
engravers, who represent every word of the original in some way
(cf. No. 96).
2 There is no stop between the P and the R, otherwise P(opuli)
R(omani), qualifying H(ostem), would be possible.
52