This Roman coin shows the Temple of Vesta, goddess of the home and family. Located in the Forum in Rome, the temple contained an eternal flame, signifying for the Romans the immortality of their city. Some Roman coins, such as this one, were used particularly to pay homage to the gods. In the beginning, cattle and other animals were offered up as a sacrifice to the gods. This custom gradually became difficult to maintain and coins representing these animals or the gods themselves were offered instead.
