Ancient Coin Ring

Salus is the personified Roman goddess of health and prosperity, both of the individual and the state. Later she became more a protector of personal health. Her attribute was a snake or a bowl. Her role in the pantheon was to feed and care for her father's Aesculapius’ sacred snakes and act as his assistant. Salus is identified with the Greek Hygieia.

Rome. Man. Acilius Glabrio silver denarius. 49 BC. Obverse: Laureate head of Salus facing right. SALVTIS upwards behind her head. Salus is wearing a wreath, earrings and a necklace. Reverse: MN ACILIVS III VIR VALETV, Valetudo (Salus) standing left, leaning against column and holding serpent, MN and TV in monogram. Coin is mounted in 22kt hand textured gold.