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Item #5295
$940.00
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  • Obverse: Cupid Riding Goat
  • Reverse: Apollo
  • Date: 85 BC. Grade: Extremely Fine
  • Mint: Rome, Roman Republic. Moneyer: Mn Fonteius Cf
  • Silver Denarius Coin in 14k Gold Pendant, Weight 6.9g
  • Framed Coin Size: 20.5mm Diameter, with 6mm Bail Opening for Necklace
  • Size Chart with mm to inches Conversions

Description:

This silver denarius coin was minted in Rome by moneyer Mn Fonteius Cf in 85 BC. The obverse side of this Roman Republic coin features winged Cupid riding a goat. The caps of the Dioscuri are on each side with the thyrsus of Bacchus shown below, all within a laurel wreath. Cupid was the god of desire, erotic love, attraction and affection. He was the son of Venus, the goddess of love, and Cupid was equivalent to the Greek god Eros. Cupid's bow and arrow served as his source of power. Any person, or even a deity, who is shot by Cupid's arrow was filled with uncontrollable desire.
The reverse side of this coin depicts the laureate head of the god Apollo. In ancient mythology, Apollo was seen as the most beautiful god. He was the patron god of archers, the god of light, truth and prophecy, music, poetry and the arts. Medicine and healing were also associated with Apollo, as he was seen as a god who had the ability to cure. As the patron deity of Delphi, Apollo was the prophetic god of the Delphic Oracle.
The Roman worship of Apollo was adopted from the Greeks, and during a period of pestilence in the 430s BC, Apollo's first temple in Rome was built at the Flaminian fields. Over the centuries, Apollo became one of the chief gods of Rome. Caesar Augustus considered himself to be under the special protection of Apollo and was even said to be his son. After the Battle of Actium in 31 BC, Augustus erected a new temple to Apollo, dedicated a portion of the spoils to him and instituted annual games in his honor.