Roman Coins:

Following the conquest of most of the known world by Alexander the Great, Greek influence and culture spread and embedded itself throughout the Mediterranean region, including the area of current Italy. Slowly, the Roman Republic expanded as a military power and expelled or absorbed many of the Greek City States.

Rome, however, lacked the commercial expertise of the Greeks, whose coinage dominated trade. The Roman leaders realized that in order to simplify commerce with other Italian and non-Italian states it was necessary to have a more convenient coinage comprising silver denominations and struck bronzes. Accordingly, they introduced various silver denominations after the Second Punic War (at the close of the third century B. C.). A new lighter coin called the denarius was brought into being. Showing the Family name first, (prominent families were allowed to strike coinage under private treaty), then the moneyers’ name, these coins formed the backbone of Roman commercial influence.

The type and series of coinage continued until the adoption of the Roman Imperial system beginning with Augustus in B. C. 27. After the death of Julius Caesar on the Ides (15th) of March in B. C. 44, Augustus became one of the second triumvirate (the government of three joint officers or magistrates).

The triumvirs later fell out and Augustus (known then as Octavian) defeated Antony (Marc Antony) at Actium. He became sole ruler of the empire in B. C. 31, received the title Emperor in B. C. 29, and that of Augustus in B. C. 27. A Roman legionary (foot soldier) received a payment set at a daily allowance of one third of one denarius.
 

About the featured coin: Constantine VRBS ROMA Wolf And Twins SUPERB 330-335 BC 330-335 AD - Constantine the Great , commemorative AE Follis, 17 mm and 3.54 grams. Helmeted bust left, wearing imperial cloak, VRBS ROMA / Wolf left with flower-shaped object at shoulder, two stars above and twins below.

Romulus and Remus: By this birth Rea Silvia had, as a priestess, severely offended both Vesta and the common customs of the time. Therefore Amulius ordered a servant to kill the newborn twins Romulus and Remus.

The servant, lacking the stomach for the deed, put them in a bag that he left in the Tiber, to be carried away and drowned.

The twin brothers were transported by the river and washed up on the shore in a place that the legends don't specify. Here they were saved by a female wolf who nursed them (this wolf, Lupa, is still now one of main symbols of Rome).