Q. POMPONIUS MUSA. Denarius (56 BC). Rome.

Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right; sceptre to left.
Rev: Q POMPONI MVSA.
Melpomene standing left, wearing sword and holding club and mask.

Crawford 410/4; RBW 1486.

Melpomene is one of the nine Muses, daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne (goddess of memory). She was initially the muse of song and musical harmony, but later became the muse of tragedy, perhaps because of her connection to Dionysus. Melpomene is usually depicted with a severe, imposing appearance, wearing cothurni, the typical sandals worn by tragic actors. She holds a tragic mask in her hands and, sometimes, a scepter, a bloody dagger, or a club, symbols of drama and theatrical pathos. According to some traditions, the union between Melpomene and the river god Achelous gave birth to the Sirens, creatures with enchanting songs, with the head of a woman and the body of a bird.

Condition: Good very fine.

Weight: 4.02 g.
Diameter: 18 mm.