Roman Republic Denarius 116BC M Sergius Silus RRC 286/1

Obverse: EX·S·C ROMA, Helmeted head of Roma, right. Border of dots.
Reverse: Q M·SERGI SILVS, Horseman, left, holding sword and severed head in left hand. Border of dots.
Date: c. 116-115 B.C.
ID: Crawford (RRC) 286/1
Size: 19mm diameter, 3.74g weight
Composition: Silver

The coin alludes to the grandfather of the coin's moneyer, who had lost his right hand in battle and been given a prosthetic replacement, then later went on to deliver several crushing defeats to the Gauls. Whether he actually rode around with a severed Gallic head is not known, though one can imagine the grandfather passing down vivid war stories to his grandson.