Series: Republican deities – Juno
Reference: Crawford 464/2

Gens and moneyer: Carisia / Titus Carisius
Year and mint: 46 BC - Rome
Obverse: Bust of Juno Moneta, right. Border of dots. MONETA
Reverse: Anvil die with a garlanded punch above; tongs to left and hammer to right. All within a laurel wreath. T CARISIVS

Grade: EF 3.72 g - 3h
Provenance: Numismatica Ars Classica 2026

Comment:
The gens Carisia was a plebeian family of little prominence during the Republic. Its best-known member was Titus Carisius, moneyer in 46 BC and a supporter of Julius Caesar. Years later, a man of the same name, possibly his son, took part in the wars against the Astures during the reign of Augustus.

Titus Carisius served as triumvir monetalis at a decisive moment in Roman history. His issues are notable for the variety of their types and for several designs rarely encountered on Republican coinage, including this denarius dedicated to Juno Moneta and the coin-manufacturing process.

The year 46 BC was marked by the civil war between Caesar and the remaining supporters of Pompey. Following his victory at the Battle of Thapsus, Caesar returned to Rome, celebrated four triumphs and was appointed dictator for ten years. The Republic was already under his control, although Pompeian resistance would continue until the Battle of Munda the following year.

The obverse depicts Juno Moneta, one of the aspects of Juno, wife of Jupiter and one of the twelve Dii Consentes, the principal deities of the Roman pantheon. Protector of marriage and women, Juno was also a deity closely associated with the Roman state. Her temple under the title Moneta stood on the Capitoline Hill, and the Roman mint was established nearby. From this association came the Latin term moneta, which ultimately gave rise to the English word “money”.