Symbols
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Symbols, or signs, on Roman coins.-Some of these allude to the names of families; as Acisculus, on denarii of the Valeria family. Flos, an open round flower, the surname of Aquilius Florus. The Muses, as in the Pomponia family, on account of the surname MUSA. Vitulus,
a calf walking, in a symbol of the Voconia family, from the surname
VITULUS, &c.-The following symbols have their peculiar and
appropriate signification on Roman coins, viz.:-
- Aplustre, a ship´s ornament, imports maritime power.
- Apollo´s head refers to the Apollinarian games.
- Bow, symbolises Apollo.
- Bow and club, Hercules.
- Bow and quiver, Diana.
- Buckler, round, Macedonia.
- Caduceus, or winged rod with serpents, is an attribute of Mercury, Felicity, and Peace.
- Caduceus, between two cornucopiae, signifies Abundance and Peace.
- Caduceus, between corn-ears, Fertility as well as Peace.
- Camel, symbol of Arabia.
- Capricorn, or sea goat, the astrological sign of Augustus´s navity.
- Capricorn, or sea goat, also symbol of Plently and Happiness.
- Ceres, the goddess, denotes Fertility, and distribution of corn.
- Cornucopiae, or horn of plently, Fecundity; also abundance of all things.
- Corn ears (spicae tritici) symbolise Egypt, Africa, Spain, and also Annona and Fertility.
- Crowns, of various kinds, relate to public games.
- Crocodile, symbol of Egypt.
- Crabfish (pagurus) indicates a maritime city.
- Chimaera belongs to Corinth.
- Crane (ciconia); this bird symbolises Piety, meaning affection to parents.
- Club (clava) attribute to Hercules.
- Colonist driving two oxen to plough, sign of Roman colony.
- Column, or pillar, denotes security.
- Dog, attribute of Diana Venatrix; also of the Lares.
- Dolphin, attribute of the Cyprian Venus; it also marks a maritime town.
- Eagle, the wings of, Jupiter, whose attribute it is; also a type of Eternity.
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Symbols
| Please
|help| us convert the |Dictionary of Roman Coins| from scans to text by
typing the original text here. Please add updates or make corrections
to the NumisWiki text version as appropriate.
Symbols, or signs, on Roman coins.-Some of these allude to the names of families; as Acisculus, on denarii of the Valeria family. Flos, an open round flower, the surname of Aquilius Florus. The Muses, as in the Pomponia family, on account of the surname MUSA. Vitulus,
a calf walking, in a symbol of the Voconia family, from the surname
VITULUS, &c.-The following symbols have their peculiar and
appropriate signification on Roman coins, viz.:-
- Aplustre, a ship´s ornament, imports maritime power.
- Apollo´s head refers to the Apollinarian games.
- Bow, symbolises Apollo.
- Bow and club, Hercules.
- Bow and quiver, Diana.
- Buckler, round, Macedonia.
- Caduceus, or winged rod with serpents, is an attribute of Mercury, Felicity, and Peace.
- Caduceus, between two cornucopiae, signifies Abundance and Peace.
- Caduceus, between corn-ears, Fertility as well as Peace.
- Camel, symbol of Arabia.
- Capricorn, or sea goat, the astrological sign of Augustus´s navity.
- Capricorn, or sea goat, also symbol of Plently and Happiness.
- Ceres, the goddess, denotes Fertility, and distribution of corn.
- Cornucopiae, or horn of plently, Fecundity; also abundance of all things.
- Corn ears (spicae tritici) symbolise Egypt, Africa, Spain, and also Annona and Fertility.
- Crowns, of various kinds, relate to public games.
- Crocodile, symbol of Egypt.
- Crabfish (pagurus) indicates a maritime city.
- Chimaera belongs to Corinth.
- Crane (ciconia); this bird symbolises Piety, meaning affection to parents.
- Club (clava) attribute to Hercules.
- Colonist driving two oxen to plough, sign of Roman colony.
- Column, or pillar, denotes security.
- Dog, attribute of Diana Venatrix; also of the Lares.
- Dolphin, attribute of the Cyprian Venus; it also marks a maritime town.
- Eagle, the wings of, Jupiter, whose attribute it is; also a type of Eternity.
- Eagle, legionary, refers to the army of the commander-in-chief.
- Elephant, symbol of africa; also of Eternity.
- Frankinscence, branch of (thuris ramus) attribute of Arabia.
- Fasces with the axe, imports sovereign authority.
- Fish, denotes a maritime state.
- Grain of wheat, marks Fertibility.
- Grapes, brunch of, indicates a place celebrated for its produce in wine.
- Horned head, Jupiter Ammon; also regal power.
- Hasta pura, or spear with blunt point, mark of Divinity.
- Laurel, attribute of Apollo and of Victory; also refers to public games.
- Lion, symbol of Africa.
- Lion´s skin, attribute of Hercules.
- Lituus, or staff with curved head, sign of the Augurship, or Soothsayer´s office.
- Lotus flower, Isis; the Egyptian people.
- Lyre, attribute of Apollo.
- Modius, or bushel measure, symbol of the Edileship.
- Modius, or bushel measure, filled with corn ears, signifies provision, chiefly corn.
- Owl, attribute of Pallas.
- Olive branch, of Peace.
- Praetorian galley, represents the fleet of the Republic.
- Prow of a ship, refers to Rome, or some maritime city.
- Palm tree, emblem of Alexandria, Damascus, Judaea, Sidon, Tyre, Phoenicia.
- Panther, attribute of Bacchus.
- Peacock, of Juno.
- Pedum pastorale, shepherd´s crook, emblem of Pan and Faunus.
- Pegasus, a winged horse so called, symbol of Apollo; also of Corinth.
- Pegasus and Bellerophon, type of Colonial Corinth.
- Pileus, cap so called, symbolises Liberty.
- Rabbit, attribute of Spain.
- Right hand raised, signifies Security, Peace, Health.
- Rght hands joined, denote concord.
- Right hand holding caduceus, concord; and at same time Peace.
- Rocks, or stones, indicate places on lofty sites.
- Rudder, or helm of a ship, attribute of Fortune; also shows a maritime city.
- Serpent signifies Prudence and Wisdom; it is also the attribute of Aesculapius; and of Hygieia, or Salus.
- Star, the numismatic mark of Elagabalus.
- Stella crinita, or comet, alludes to Julius Caesar.
- Stars, over the heads of two young men, mark of Dioscuri.
- Sow, with litter, symbolises the Romans.
- Staff, round which a serpent is coiled, attribute of Aesculapius.
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