Contact:  Rick Peterson, Manager of News Services, 414/832-6590
For Immediate Release						May 14, 1996
 
Ancient Roman Coins Discussed in Lawrence University Slide Presentation
 
 
APPLETON, WIS. - More than 50 ancient coins, featuring Augustus, the first
Roman emperor, Julius Caesar, his rival Mark Antony and his assassin Brutus as
well as other legendary figures of the Roman Empire, will be displayed and
discussed in a Lawrence University classics department lecture Thursday, May
23.  Lawrence senior Brad Wendel will host the slide presentation, "Could You
Spare a Denarius?" at 7 p.m. in the Wriston Art Center auditorium.  The event
is free and open to the public.

Wendel will discuss the history and significance of the coins as well as give a
brief explanation on how to study coins.  The actual coins will be available
for viewing following the slide presentation.  

The Lawrence classics department's 51-piece collection includes Roman coins
from 509 B.C. to 27 B.C.  As part of a research project, Wendel recently
finished cleaning, identifying and cataloging each of the coins.