Latest Aquisition

Something that's almost ubiquitous in art/iconography prior to the modern/abstract era...seemingly random objects placed in art--including on coins--are intended to be symbolic, to have a distinct, contextual meaning to the viewer.

Scorpions often signified death, protectors of the underworld, or readiness to fight. In a more literal sense, N. African scorpions are among the most deadly known; a friend nearly died from a sting in the Tunisian desert. No doubt, many Roman soldiers died from hapless encounters in the desert.

Yeah...it's easy to forget how everything meant something to cultures like the Romans...and their pantheon of gods. Something that makes ancient coins a bit more interesting than modern counterparts.