This ancient silver denarius bears on its obverse the head of Juno Sospita, the fierce protector of women, shown wearing her distinctive goatskin headdress. On the reverse, a gryphon - part lion, part eagle - dances to the right. In Roman art, the gryphon often stood as a guardian of treasures and a symbol of divine vigilance, bridging the mortal and the sacred. Even without knowing its original purpose, the imagery remains as arresting today as it must have been in the marketplaces of the Republic.

Its survival into the present feels improbable. This coin might once have been exchanged for grain, for a bolt of dyed cloth, or perhaps saved as a token of fortune. It has crossed centuries as empires fell, cities changed hands, and languages faded into silence. Now set as a pendant, it is no longer currency but a relic of the ancient imagination - an object that invites both admiration and contemplation. To wear it is to keep close a fragment of Rome’s living mythology, a small but enduring witness to the hands, hopes, and histories that shaped it.

Obv: Head of Juno Sospita, wearing goatskin, symbol behind Rev: Gryphon dancing right, unknown control symbol below. L PAPI in ex. Syd 773, Cr384/1

17mm, 4 gram authenticated ancient coin
79 BC
AR Denarius serratus
Origin: Roman Republic, L Papius
Set in an 18k yellow gold bezel, hand made in Bali
18inch, 18k yellow gold 1.6mm cable chain, made in Italy
Certificate of authenticity & appraisal
Price includes chain, message us if you would like to choose another

While in some instances these items can be special ordered, they will vary in patina, size, texture, and rarity. Each coin from our collection is one of a kind.

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17mm Ancient Coin with Gryphon & Juno