TITUS, Roman Emperor 79-81 A.D. Son of Vespasian, brother of Domitian. AE Sestertius, 23.78gm, 33mm/dia. IMP T CAES VESP AUG PM TRP PP COS VIII; PROVIDENT AUG(UST): Vespasian presenting globe to Titus. RIC 98.

This is a medallion sized AE 34mm/diameter issue of Gordianus III, struck at Antioch in Pisidia. The reverse shows the wolf and twins Romulus & Remus, famous in Roman history.

A lovely AE dupondius issued under authority of the RomanEmperor Claudius (41 - 54 AD) showing an excellent portrait of that emperor facing left and on the reverse a representation of the goddess Ceres, seated. An obverse banker's mark exists in obverse field  but has no impact on the beauty of this coin. RIC94         Image worth looking at.

Here's a *scarce* AE Sestertius of Faustina Jr., wife of Marcus Aurelius. The full reverse inscription is SIDERIBUS RECEPTA SC Diana is pictured standing right, holding a torch with a crescent moon behind her head.

Domitian, Silver Didrachm of Caesarea, 81-96 AD, Bust r,/ Athena stg R. BMC20,40, etc. Worn but magnificent, sharp portrait of emperor and Athena. F+ to aVF.

Antoninus Pius, AR Denarius, Struck 148 AD. RSC284, aVF/VF. Obv. ANTONINUS AUGPIUSPPTRPXII/COSIIII.

Marcus Aurelius, AR Denarius, 161-180 AD, S525, Providentia, VF

Geta, AR Denarius, as Caesar, 202-209AD. RSC170. Strong VF.

 In the beginning (so to speak), the technique used by the Romans to create currency was the casting of bronze into rough lumps, then to bars, and finally into circular coins. Roman contacts with the coins of the Greeks in Italy, according to Sutherland, led to the adoption of Greek methods of striking coins - as opposed to casting. Over time, Roman techniques created many improvements including administrative elaboration to the point where a coin of the Roman State bore a visible indication of the mint which produced it and the responsible sub-section of that mint. Two of the more significant contributions made by Rome were the principle of varying types and development of portraiture. Actual type variation was immense, clearly a result of deliberate policy in both the Republic and the Empire...information (or propaganda) in the interests of the Republican and Imperial government circulated throughout the Roman world and beyond. During the late Republic, portraiture became an important element.

Sutherland reports that

...throughout the Empire it was constant: occasionally poor, usually very good indeed, and not infrequently superb. Imperial portraits form a series of magnificent skill and perception, all the more splendid when it is remembered that portrait-dies had to be produced in large numbers and also in repetitive sequence... Roman coinage, Republican as well as Imperial, acquired and developed an actuality and realism which is almost totally lacking in any other period.

 

Roman Imperial Coins.

 

NERO (Nero Claudius Caesar Drusus Germanicus), a silver denarius struck between c. 67 and 68 A.D. 3.32gm., 17x18mm/dia. A Strong Fine.This is an RIC plate coin (Plate 18) and is identified as a Rarity 2. Obverse: IMPNEROCAESARAUGPP, His bust right. Reverse: Aquila right, between two vexilla.

In the year 68, revolt broke out in Gaul, Spain, & Africa and the Praetorians at Rome deserted him. He fled and committed suicide.

 

 

TITUS, AR Denarius, 79-81 AD. Reverse shows TRPVIIII.IMPXIIIICOSVII with Venus, seen half from behind standing right, leaning on cippus, holding helmet & spear. Surfaces sl rough but still aVF.

 

 

 

 

A choice silver Tetradrachm of Caracalla, struck between 208 -212 A.D. at Antioch - Antiochia ad Orontem. Very scarce in this condition!

 

CONSTANTIUS I, as Caesar, A.D. 293-305. Father of Constantine the Great.

 

 

TRAJAN, Roman Emperor 98 - 117 AD     A magnificent bronze As, SR 1021,     28.5 mm/dia, 10.7 gm. Very sharp with     reverse inscription: SPQR/OPTIMO/PRINCIPI/SC

 

GALERIUS (Galerius Valerius Maximinus) appointed Caesar by Diocletianus in A.D. 298 along with Constantius I. In A.D. 305, he was appointed Augustus. Here you see a coin of Galerius struck while Caesar and one struck while Augustus. A crucial period in history of the Roman Empire is reflected in these coins. One reverse is that of GENIO PUPULI ROMANI and the other GENIO IMPERATORIS.

 

An extraordiary issue of the Romaion/Byzantine Emperor Justinian I (527-565 A.D.) Struck in the 14th year of his reign. It is a bronze AE Follis, about 40 mm/dia.struck at Constantinople. During his reign, North Africa was recovered from the Vandals, Italy liberated from the rule of the Goths, and a footing gained in Spain.    Once more - and for the last time in history, the Mediterranean could justly be called a Roman Lake. VF. Not often seen in this condition.

 

 

AUGUSTUS    A Cistophoric Tetradrachm struck between c. 19-18 B.C.at the mint in Pergamum. References: RIC 1/506; RSC 86.   A truly lovely issue.

NERVA (M. Cocceius Nerva) 96-98A.D. A silver denarius of this distinguished lawyer and Consul proclaimed emperor after the assassination of Domitian. Adopted Trajan. Obverse shows his laureate bust right: IMPNERVACAESAUGPMTRPCOSIIIPP. Reverse shows Equity standing left AEQUITAS AUGUST SR949, RSC 6. A strong VF.

VESPASIAN (T. Flavius Vespasianus), 69-79 A.D. A wonderful portrait of this man of great military skill, proclaimed emperor by the Legions at Alexandria and on the Danube. A just and industrious ruler. Obverse: His bust left, IMPCAESARVESPAUGCOSVCENS/ Reverse shows Spes standing left. Fine. Image