Quaestorian insignia on Roman Coins of the Late Republic

Abstract

Summary The reverses of several provincial issues minted by quaestors during the Late Republic bear a series of symbols that have traditionally been associated with the work performed by these magistrates overseas. They include objects such as the hasta, which presided over auctions as a sign of Roman authority over the goods sold, the capsa, which held administrative documents, and the sacculus, a symbol of the allowance that quaestors were expected to distribute among the troops. However, the most characteristic and striking object on these coins is without doubt a four-legged piece of furniture, the functionality of which has been the subject of much debate. In light of the numismatic evidence and the role played by quaestors in the Republican provincial administration, the aim of this work is to analyse the symbols present on these issues, as well as to determine, in particular, the function and classification of that piece of furniture, which should perhaps be identified as the sella or stool on which quaestors sat in the exercise of their duties at Rome and in the provinces, alike.