Marcellus, the "Face of Power"

Marcus Claudius Marcellus lived around 270 – 208 BCE and was an ancestor of Marcellinus. He was elected consul (the highest public office of the Republic) five times and had a notable military career, which gave him the nickname “Sword”. He fought successfully against the Gauls and the Carthagenians led by Hannibal.

Marcellus achieved a status of popular hero after killing the Gallic military leader and king Viridomarus in hand-to-hand combat in 222 BCE. This granted him the highest military honor of the Romans, the spolia opima (see next step). 10 years later, he laid siege to and conquered Syracuse. Posthumously, he was remembered as a fierce warrior and great benefactor of the Roman state.

This is the main “Face of Power” on our coin. The portrait of the famous general Marcellus adds importance to the coin itself and consequently to Marcellinus. He wants to be remembered as a descendant of a glorious warrior who made Rome the superpower it was at the time. This is his legacy, and Marcellinus is making sure everybody knows.

Let us now flip the coin.