Roman Republic Denarius Replica – Sol Radiate & Crescent with Stars (42 BC, P. Clodius M.f.)

This replica coin is based on an original Roman Republican denarius struck in 42 BC under the moneyer Publius Clodius M.f.. It represents one of the final issues of the Republic during the turbulent years following the assassination of Julius Caesar.

• Obverse: Radiate head of Sol (the Sun god) facing right, a powerful symbol of divine light and Rome’s eternal destiny.
• Reverse: A crescent moon surrounded by seven stars, interpreted as the Pleiades constellation, with the inscription P. CLODIVS M·F. This imagery connects Rome’s fate with the heavens, suggesting divine order amidst political chaos.

Historical Context:
The year 42 BC marked the aftermath of Julius Caesar’s assassination. Rome was divided between the assassins Brutus and Cassius and the Second Triumvirate of Octavian (later Augustus), Mark Antony, and Lepidus. Coins such as this were not only currency but also tools of political messaging, reinforcing Rome’s divine mission during a time of civil war.