Il6 ROMAN COINS FOUND AT LITTLE CHESTER. 



but is indistinct. Rev, — a griffin, also to right. The name 

 of the Moneyer, L. Pari, is worn off. Struck B.C. 8i. Plate I., 

 No. I. (Mr. Salt.) 



This is a silver coin — denarius — of the Roman Republic, and 

 is a serrata ttiunmi, so called from having the edges notched. 

 This was done to consular coins to prevent forgery, by showing 

 that they were silver all through. But this was imitated by the 

 forgers, who plated them over, after they had first made the 

 serrations.* Juno was a universally worshipped goddess among 

 the Romans ; and the consuls when entering upon office had to 

 offer a solemn sacrifice to her. Sospita, one of her numerous 

 names, relates to her power to preserve from danger, and to give 

 health. The date of this coin takes us back to the dictatorship 

 of Sylla, with whom was associated Pompey, afterwards called the 

 Great. In B.C. 60 the first triumvirate of Rome was formed in the 

 persons of Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus. In B.C. 55 Caesar's first 

 invasion of Great Britain took place. 



TIBERIVS C.^SAR.— (ti . c)AESA.R . DIVI . 

 AVG(vsTvs) . F(iLi) . AVG(vsTVs). — Bust to right, laurelled. 

 Rev. — Britannia looking to right, holding a trident in right 

 hand. PONTIF(ex) . MAXIM(vs).— Tiberius Ctesar Augustus, 

 the son of the deified Augustus). A.D. 14 ; reigned 22 years. 

 Plate I., No. 2. (Mr. Salt.) 



This also is silver — a denarius ; and according to Canon Farrar, 

 is the coin brought to our Lord when he said, "Show me the tribute 

 money." Tiberias had assumed the title of Pontifex Maximus, 

 as had been done by his predecessors in the Empire. This was 

 the title of the chief of the ministers of religion. There were 

 originally four Fontifices, afterwards they were raised to eight ; then 

 by Sylla to fifteen. Tiiey were divided into Majores and Minores, 

 and the whole number together were called Collegium. This 

 title of Pontifex Maximus is still that of the Popes of Rome. 



Besides this title, Tiberius had also that of Augustus. This 

 title was first conferred on Caesar Octavius, adopted son of Julius 



* Pinkerton, vol. I., p. 70. 



