Summary

Denarius, issued by Ancient Roman Republic, 62 BC
Moneyer: PAVLLVS LEPIDVS (L. Aemilius Lepidus Paullus)
Minted in Rome

Obverse Description

Veiled and diademmed head of Concordia facing right; around, PAVLLVS. LEPIDVS CONCORDIA (the letters of the moneyer's name mostly partly of flan)

Reverse Description

At centre, a military trophy; standing at right with hand on trophy a togate figure identified as L. Amelius Paullus; standing on left, three captives - the large one, bearded, wearing a hat and with hands bound behind his back identified as King Persius of Macedinia, the two smaller figures identified as the King's sons; above, TER; in exergue, PAVLLVS

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

The moneyer, Lucius Aemilius Lepidus Paullus was a brother of Marcus Aemelius Lepidus the Triumvir. With hindsight it could be said that among his poor political choices, Lucius opposed the second triumvirate (his brother named him on the proscription list - though, with the help of the soldiers appointed to kill him, he escaped), he was a supporter of Cicero and later of Brutus. The reverse of the coin suggests that the moneyer was descended from the Lucius Aemelius Paullus who defeated the Macedonian king Persius at the battle of Pydna in 168 BC. This descent is not true. The letters TER on the reverse also misguide, they suggest three acclamations of Imperator for the non-ancestor who was awarded only two triumphs.

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