Description:
This silver denarius coin, featuring the goddess Diana, was minted in Rome by moneyer Cn. Plancius in 55 BC. The Roman Republic introduced the denarius coin in circa 211 BC. It soon became the principal denomination in the Roman Republic monetary system and was the equivalent of around 2 days pay for a Roman Soldier.
In Roman mythology, Diana was the goddess of the moon, hunting and birthing. She was admired for her strength, athletic grace, purity, distinct beauty and hunting skills. Diana was commonly associated with wild animals and the woodlands and she was believed to have the power to talk to and control animals. She is often portrayed holding a bow and carrying a quiver full of arrows on her shoulder, while being accompanied by a deer or hunting dog. On this 1st century BC denarius coin, Diana is depicted wearing a "petasus" or sun hat. The reverse shows a wild Cretan goat with a bow and quiver.
Diana was known to be the virgin goddess and looked after virgins and women. She was one of the three maiden goddesses including Minerva and Vesta who swore never to marry. Diana was also worshipped by women who wanted to be pregnant and by pregnant women who prayed for an easy delivery. She was equated with the Greek goddess Artemis and in Ephesus she was worshipped at the Temple of Artemis, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
