Ancient Roman silver coin pin brooch with Sergia: Marcus Sergius Silus mounted in 18kt and 12kt gold mount.

Ancient Roman silver coin pin brooch with Sergia: Marcus Sergius Silus mounted in 18kt and 12kt gold mount.

The coin is depicting Denarius Sergia: Marcus Sergius Silus; EX•S•C ROMA / Q M•SERGI SILVS
X - ray tested positive for 18kt. gold pin and gold mount around silver coin has been tested 12kt gold.

Dimensions -
Size: Length x width: 6.1 x 1.7 cm
Weight: 6.40 grams

Condition: Item is pre - owned, minor signs of usage, good and pleasant condition overall.

Obverse:
Helmeted head of Roma right; special authorization mark before.
ROMA and denomination mark XVI as a monogram (Ӿ) behind.
Border of dots.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
EX•S•C
ROMA
Unabridged legend: Ex Senatus Consulto
Translation: By Decree of the Senate

Reverse:
Helmeted horseman bouncing left, holding a sword and severed Gallic head in the left hand, a shield in the right hand.
Quaestor mark in the field under horses and in exergue.
Script: Latin
Lettering: Q
M•SERGI
SILVS
Translation:
Quaestor
Marcus Sergius Silus
Edge: Smooth
Mint: Rome (ancient), Italy

Comments:
EX SC mark refers to the special issue authorized by the Senate. This coin bears the quaestor mark, immediate superior of the moneyer, who in rare occasions used its authority to produce coins.

HISTORY:

Marcus Sergius was a Roman general during the Second Punic War (218 to 201 BC). He is famed in prosthetics circles as the first documented user of a prosthetic hand. The metal hand was constructed to allow him to hold his shield in battle.

A description of Marcus Sergius is found in the seventh book of Pliny's Natural History, published in AD 77:

' Nobody - at least in my opinion - can rightly rank any man above Marcus Sergius, although his great-grandson Catiline shames his name. In his second campaign Sergius lost his right hand. In two campaigns he was wounded twenty-three times, with the result that he had no use in either hand or either foot: only his spirit remained intact. Although disabled, Sergius served in many subsequent campaigns. He was twice captured by Hannibal - no ordinary foe- from whom twice he escaped, although kept in chains and shackles every day for twenty months. He fought four times with only his left hand, while two horses he was riding were stabbed beneath him.

He had a right hand made of iron for him and, going into battle with this bound to his arm, raised the siege of Cremona, saved Placentia and captured twelve enemy camps in Gaul - all of which exploits were confirmed by the speech he made as praetor when his colleagues tried to debar him as infirm from the sacrifices. What piles of wreaths he would have amassed in the face of a different enemy! '

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