COIN (ROMAN)
A silver Roman Republican denarius of the moneyer M. Sergius Silus, Rome, 116-115 BC.  Head of Roma facing right; horseman left with severed head.  RRC 286/1
Ruler: Republic
Moneyer: Sergius Silus, M.
Denomination: Denarius (Roman Republic)
Material: Silver
Mint: Rome
Obverse: Helmeted head of Roma right
Obverse legend: EX S.C. to right of head;(ROMA and star) to left of head
Reverse: Horseman galloping left, holding sword and severed head
Reverse legend: To left of horseman, Q; below horseman, M.SERGI; in exergue, SILVS
Dated: -116.0 to -115.0
Weight (g): 3.31
Diameter (mm): 18.16
Parish: Restricted Access
District: Mid Suffolk
County: Suffolk
Region: Eastern
Place known as: Claydon
Discovery method: Metal detector
RRC reference: rrc-286.1
Notes: This coin is from quite a substantial issue with 287 recorded obverse dies and 359 reverse dies.

The 'severed head' played an important role in the 'Celtic' world north of the Alps.  This coin apparently shows the grandfather of the moneyer on the reverse, a man who fought left-handed after losing his right hand in battle.

The letters EX S.C. stand for 'ex senatus consulto' ('by authority of the Senate) and were added to coins of an emergency issue, struck over and above the normal issues for the year.