Silver Denarius - Roman Republic, c. 100 BC
Moneyer: P. Servilius M.f. Rullus
Obv: Bust of Minerva, left, wearing crested Corinthian Helmet
Rev: Victory in Biga, right, holding palm branch
(Sear - 207) 20mm, 3.88gm
Minerva was the Roman goddess of wisdom and sponsor of arts, trade, and strategy. She was born from the godhead of Jupiter with weapons. From the 2nd century BC onwards, the Romans equated her with the Greek goddess Athena. She was the virgin goddess of music, poetry, medicine, wisdom, commerce, weaving, crafts, and magic. She is often depicted with her sacred creature, an owl usually named as the "owl of Minerva", which symbolizes that she is connected to wisdom.
