Collection history: Donated by Dean Fred B.R. Hellems, 1930. Fourrée?
Roman Republic.
This coin type comes from a military mint moving with Julius Caesar during the Civil War between Caesar and Pompey. The obverse holds pontifical emblems and alludes to Caesar’s position as Pontifex Maximus. The instruments from right to left are the culullus, only in portion, the aspergillium, an axe, and the apex. The culullus is a horn shaped vessel that contained milk or wine and was used in religious rites. The aspergillum has a short handle with brush at the end that is used to sprinkle holy water. The axe is representative of the Rex Sacrorum, responsible for overseeing major state sacrifices. The apex was the ceremonial headwear of the flamines, the chief priests of the most important male deities in the Roman pantheon. The reverse type of an elephant trampling a dragon is unique and believed to symbolize victory over evil (RRC p. 735). Alyssa Friedmann 2013.