L. Caecilius Metellus Diadematus, Denarius, 17mm, 3.5gr, 128 BC, mint Rome

Obverse: head of Roma in helmet facing right, behind X's head 

Reverse: Pax in the bidze to the right, an elephant's head below, the inscription ROMA at the bottom 

Preserved denarius with elephant head on the reverse, referring to the victory of the ancestor of the two Metellus brothers, consul L. Caecilius Metellus, at Panormus in 250 BC, with Hasdrubal army in the First Punic War. War elephants then fell into the hands of the Romans. The goddess in biga may be Pax (olive branch) or Juno Regina (bay branch).

Reference : Reference: Crawford 262/1, Sydenham 496. Former David Powell collection

Collection : Roman Republic