———  The  ——— Sign Language Of Roman Coins

everse Types and Symbolism

Roman coins used many different types of reverse over the half-millennium lifetime of the Empire. There were even more during the earlier Rebublican and Imperatorial periods. These designs were usually propaganda, either directly or indirectly. That is, they made a point or displayed a message that the current Emperor wanted to put across.

These designs were full of symbolism. Images say more than words, especially across a wide empire with many different native languages and much illiteracy. I certainly can't say that I understand it all, but I am starting to get the idea.

These were some of the Romans' major deities.

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	Sol and Oriens – the rise and fall of a superhero.
	Cybele, The Mother Goddess.
	Juno, Queen of the Gods.
	Mars, the god of war.
	Mercury and his Magic Wand.
	Serapis, invented in Egypt.
	Isis, Goddess of the Nile.
	Shining Apollo, the Far Shooter.
	Diana the Huntress.

--------------------------------- Minor Deities, Virtues and Personifications ---------------------------------

These are strong images and ideas that did not have major godly status.

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	Salus and her snake.
	Aeternitas, the personification of eternity.
	Bonus Eventus, the personification of a good outcome.
	Concordia, the personification of concord and harmony. They hope!
	Spes, the personification of hope.
	The Horn of Plenty or The Cornucopia of Abundance.
	Virtus and Her Parazonium.
	Happiness, Cheerfulness and Joy.
	Pietas  —  Their Pious Duty.

--------------------------------- Crossing Categories ---------------------------------

Symbolism that worked in many contexts.

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	Ceres and Annona, and the corn supply to Rome.
	Galleys  —  Safe Journeys and Sea Power.
	Earthquake Weather. Coins that followed quakes.
	Branches Everywhere. A page about people wielding foliage.
	Boys riding goats. A subject which I, for one, find unusual.
	Leaning on that Handy Column. A page about people leaning on many things.
	Heads in Hands. Here I stand, head in hand ...