The patrician gens Sergia claimed descent from the Trojan Sergestus. Among the various cognomina of the gens, Silus is the only one to appear on Roman coinage. The first member of the Sergii to obtain the consulship was L. Sergius Fidenus in 437 BC. The reverse of this denarius alludes to an ancestor of the issuer, the grandfather of M. Sergius Silus (praetor in 197 BC), who had courageously fought left-handed and defeated twelve Gallic enemy camps, after he had lost his right hand in battle.

Obv. Winged helmeted head of Roma, helmet ornamented with gryphon's head, three-piece peaked visor, hair in three locks, EX SC (ex senatus consulto - on issues of coinage separately authorised by special decree of the senate) before, ROMA and mark of value = crossed X behind.

Rev. Horseman holding sword and severed Gallic head, below horse Q (quaestor - supervisor of moneyers, here the quaestor Silus who had this issue struck), M. SERGI below, SILVS in exergue.