Sear, D.R., Roman Coins and their Values 5 vols (London, Spink, 2000-2014) 412; Crawford, M., Roman Republican Coinage 2 vols (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2011) 442/1 and pl. LII.21; Sydenham, E. A. The Coinage of the Roman Republic (London, Spink, 1952; (Sanford J. Durst repr. 1976) 922; Seaby, H.A., Roman Silver Coins (London, B.A. Seaby, 1967) Acilia 8, 8a; Sear, D.R., The History and Coinage of the Roman Imperators (London, Spink, 1998) 16, 16a; Grueber, H.A., Coins of the Roman Republic in the British Museum 3 vols (London, The Trustees of the British Museum, 1910; rev. edn London, 1970) I. 3944.

1966.78

Denarius of Manius Acilius

4.094 g. 49 BC

Obv.: Head of Salus r., laureate, wearing necklace and cruciform earring; hair in knot, falling in two locks.  On left, SALVṬỊṢ (upwards). Border of dots.

Rev.: Valetudo standing l., draped, resting left arm on column, holding snake in right hand. On right, MN (ius) ACILIVS (downwards); on left, III VIR VALE TV (in ligature) (dinis) (upwards). Border of dots.

There had been a temple to Salus (Welfare, Health) at Rome since 302 BC. She is often represented on coins, with the attribute of the sacred snake. Valetudo is virtually synonymous with Salus. The first physician who practised in Rome (in 219 BC) was associated with the name Acilius (Pliny Natural History 29.12). There is probably also a contemporary political reference involved here. In the imperial period, the Salus of the Roman people (i.e. the public welfare) became closely associated with the Emperor’s Salus (his personal safety and well-being), e.g. 68.06. (Cf.72.03, where Salus is associated with Livia.)

III VIR indicates that Acilius was one of the triumuiri (3-man commission) responsible for striking coins. The identity of Acilius is not certain, but he may have been a supporter of Julius Caesar. Style and hoard evidence suggest the date of 49 BC.

Sear, D.R., Roman Coins and their Values 5 vols (London, Spink, 2000-2014) 412; Crawford, M., Roman Republican Coinage 2 vols (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2011) 442/1 and pl. LII.21; Sydenham, E. A. The Coinage of the Roman Republic (London, Spink, 1952; (Sanford J. Durst repr. 1976) 922; Seaby, H.A., Roman Silver Coins (London, B.A. Seaby, 1967) Acilia 8, 8a; Sear, D.R., The History and Coinage of the Roman Imperators (London, Spink, 1998) 16, 16a; Grueber, H.A., Coins of the Roman Republic in the British Museum 3 vols (London, The Trustees of the British Museum, 1910; rev. edn London, 1970) I. 3944.