On Greek coins Hermes is often shown wearing a chlamys, resting his foot on a rock while fastening a sandal.
Mercury
Mercury standing, holding purse and caduceus.

Republican AR denarius, serrated, c. 82 BC, Gaius Mamilius Limetanus. Obverse - bust of Mercury, caduceus behind, wearing winged petasus and chlamys.
Roman Mercurius appeared during the 5th century BC as a divinity of merchants. Over time he became identified with the Greek god Hermes whose attributes he shared. Artists in general portrayed Mercury in imitation of Hermes and Mercury eventually became known as the messenger of the gods; patron of artists, travellers, merchants, thieves and orators; inventor of the lyre and escort of the dead.

On Roman coins Mercury is usually depicted with a winged cap (petasus), wearing shoes, holding a purse and carrying a herald's staff (caduceus) with two entwined snakes.

During the Republic the image of Mercury, as legendary ancestor of Ulysses, frequently appears on coins of the gens Mamilia, who claimed to be descended from Mamilia, granddaughter of Ulysses. The coin on the left was issued by the moneyer Caius Mamilius Limetanus in c. 82 BC and displays the bust of Mercury as legendary ancestor of his gens.


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