Silver Cistophoros Obverse

Silver cistophorus minted in Ephesus, Asia Minor, c. 25 BCE, featuring a portrait of Augustus Caesar. RIC2 478 (ANS 1944.100.39183, bequest of E. T. Newell). The Romans also adapted existing monetary systems to their own uses. By the time this Romanized cistophorus was minted the denomination had been in use in Asia Minor for over 150 years.