Denarius (Coin) Depicting the Goddess Roma

The denarius, introduced in 211 BCE, was the principal silver coin of Rome for five hundred years. The profilehead of the goddess Roma—the personification of Rome—was the most popular image depicted on silver denarii in the second and first centuries BCE. The front (obverse) of this coin depicts the helmeted head of the goddess Roma, facing to the right. On the back (reverse), two centaurs (half-man, half-horse) pull the hero Hercules in a chariot.