Description

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The first Roman silver coins were produced about the time of King Pyrrhus' invasion of Italy at the behest of the Tarentines (280 BC) and were struck on a weight standard derived from the currency of the Campanian city of Neapolis. This initial issue (Mars/horse's head) seems to have been produced at the Greek mint of Metapontum, an attribution strongly suggested by the ear of barley appearing behind the horse's head on the reverse. The dies for this first issue of Roman didrachms display the fine Greek style for which the Metapontine coinage was renowned. The head of Mars on the obverse is inspired by the portrait of Leukippos, the founder of Metapontum when it was resettled from Sybaris, which had appeared regularly on the Metapontine coinage in the latter part of the 4th century.

Roman Republic. Anonymous. After 211 BC.  Æ Triens. (22mm, 7.51 g). Helmeted head of Minerva right; four pellets above / Prow of galley right; four pellets below. Crawford 56/4; Sydenham 143b and 231b. Good VF, much better colour than average.

The obverse and reverse of this coin refer to the lineage of the gens Mamilia, who claimed their descent from Mamilia, the daughter of Telegonus, the son of Ulysses and Circe, and a descendant of Mercury. The reverse is very interesting. The scene depicts the moment when, returning home from his long wanderings in the guise of a beggar so as to surprise and kill the many suitors of his wife Penelope, Ulysses' aged dog Argus recognizes him:

"Soon as he perceived
Long-lost Ulysses nigh, down fell his ears
Clapped close, and with his tail glad sign he gave
Of gratulation, impotent to rise,
And to approach his master as of old.
Ulysses, noting him, wiped off a tear
Unmarked." 

At last seeing his master after so many years, the old dog dies.

$295

This coin is the only surviving record of the Temple of Jupiter Libertas on the Aventine Hill. Possibly built by Ti. Sempronius in 238 BC, it was restored by Augustus as part of his grand renovation of Rome.

Marcus Junius Brutus was the son of M.  Junius Brutus and Julius Caesar's former mistress, Servilia. By 59 BC he acquired the alternative name Quintus Caepio Brutus through adoption by his uncle, Quintus Servilius Caepio. Brought up by Porcius Cato, he was educated in philosophy and oratory and long retained a fierce hatred of his natural father’s murderer, Pompey. He began his political career in 58 BC by accompanying Cato to Cyprus. As triumvir monetalis in about 54 BC he issued coins illustrating his strong republican views with Libertas and portraits of his ancestors L. Junius Brutus. Despite his hatred of Pompey, he followed him in the Civil War of 49 BC against Caesar, but after Pompey was defeated at Pharsalus (August 9th, 48 BC) he sought and was granted Caesar’s pardon. He proceeded to enjoy Caesar’s favor and was appointed governor of Gaul in 46 BC, Praetor in 44 BC and Consul Designate for 41 BC. Perhaps under the influence of his second wife Porcia, Cato’s daughter, Brutus joined the conspiracy against Caesar, becoming the leader alongside Cassius. The reaction of the populace in the aftermath of the Ides of March compelled Brutus to leave Rome in April 44 BC. In an ironic twist of fate, Brutus committed suicide during the second battle at Philippi on 23 October 42 BC, using the dagger with which he assassinated Caesar.

Julius Caesar and his armies assembled on the banks of the Rubicon River on 10 January 49 BC, ready to invade Italy. The Roman world would be shaken and transformed by the ensuing civil war. Since large quantities of denarii were necessary to pay Caesar's military expenses, the mint travelled with them. This issue was ordered, not by a moneyer, as was usual, but by Julius Caesar himself. The obverse clearly depicts the triumph of good over evil, numismatic propaganda designed to encourage Caesar's soldiers during the long, intense campaign. The reverse, depicting priestly emblems, tells of Caesar's office as Pontifex Maximus, high priest. In all likelihood, this type was used by Caesar's military forces at least until the decisive battle of Pharsalus.

Marcus Junius Brutus was the son of Marcus Junius Brutus and Julius Caesar's former mistress, Servilia. By 59 BC he acquired the alternative name Quintus Caepio Brutus through adoption by his uncle, Quintus Servilius Caepio. Brought up by Porcius Cato, he was educated in philosophy and oratory and long retained a fierce hatred of his natural father’s murderer, Pompey. He began his political career in 58 BC by accompanying Cato to Cyprus. As triumvir monetalis in about 54 BC he issued coins illustrating his strong republican views with Libertas and portraits of his ancestors. In 53 BC Brutus served in Cilicia as quaestor to Appius Claudius Pulcher, whose successor, Cicero, found that ‘the honourable Brutus’ was extracting 48 per cent interest on a loan to the city of Salamis in Cyprus, contrary to the lex Gabinia.

Brutus, the principled student, stoic, and Platonist who wrote a number of philosophical treatises and poems, seems an unlikely tyrannicide, quite dissimilar to the vehement Cassius. Despite his hatred of Pompey, he followed him in the Civil War of 49 BC against Caesar, but after the former’s defeat at Pharsalus he sought and was granted Caesar’s pardon. He proceeded to enjoy Caesar’s favor and was appointed governor of Gaul in 46 BC, praetor in 44 BC and consul designate for 41 BC. Perhaps under the influence of his second wife Porcia, Cato’s daughter, Brutus joined the conspiracy against Caesar, becoming the leader alongside Cassius. The reaction of the populace in the aftermath of the Ides of March compelled Brutus to leave Rome in April 44 BC.

The Senate’s resolution to declare him a ‘public enemy’ on 28 November 44 BC was soon repealed and in February 43 BC he was appointed governor of Crete, the Balkan provinces and later Asia. Successful against the Bessi in Thrace, he was hailed imperator by his troops, but after the establishment of the triumvirate in November 43 BC he was outlawed again and joined forces with Cassius at Sardes. In the summer of 42 BC they marched through Macedonia and in October met Octavian on the Via Egnatia just outside Philippi and won the first battle. Cassius, as his conservative coins show, remained true to the old republican cause, while Brutus followed the self-advertising line of Antony in the new age of unashamed political propaganda and struck coins displaying his own portrait. In an ironic twist of fate, Brutus committed suicide during the second battle at Philippi on 23 October 42 BC, using the dagger with which he assassinated Caesar.

Gaius Cassius Longinus held a high command in the army of Crassus, which was so disastrously defeated by the Parthians in 53 BC. Bravely extricating himself from this perilous situation, he rallied the remnants of the Roman forces & successfully organized the defence of Syria. In the civil war of 49-48 BC he supported Pompey against Caesar, but was pardoned by the latter after the battle of Pharsalus (48BC). He repaid the generosity by playing a leading role in the assassination of Caesar on the Ides (15th) March, 44 BC. In the confused period following this event, Cassius was forced to leave Rome, where he made his way to his old province of Syria, which he soon gained absolute control. In 43 BC the Senate first gave Brutus & Cassius control of the Eastern provinces, then following coercion from Octavian, revoked it, declaring them public enemies. After various campaigns of plunder in Asia-Minor to strengthen their position, Brutus & Cassius confronted Antony & Octavian at the battle of Philippi in central Greece in 42 BC. In the first of two engagements Cassius' camp was captured and he, believing the day was lost, committed suicide.

63 BC. His remarkable political career, which spanned nearly six decades, began when he was adopted as heir by his great-uncle, Julius Caesar. Following the death of Caesar, Octavian, Marc Antony & Lepidus formed a political alliance known as the second Triumvirate. This was aimed at defeating the power of the Republicans, led by Brutus and Cassius, which was achieved at the battle of Philippi in 42 BC. By careful political intrigues and a fair share of luck, Octavian gradually came to dominate the triumvirate. Lepidus died in 36 BC, whilst the confrontation between Octavian & Marc Antony was postponed until 31 BC, and was much facilitated by Marc Antony 's intimate relationship with Cleopatra VII, queen of Egypt, a liaison viewed with deep suspicion by the Roman people. Octavian eventually became Augustus, the first Emperor of Rome (27 BC-14AD). Under his rule, much public works, many reforms and new building was carried out. Octavian had a long life and died peacefully in 14 AD, aged 77 years, having transformed the Roman state and left it in a peaceful and prosperous condition. Octavian once said "I found Rome made of brick and left it made of marble" - a fitting quote to one of the greatest Romans, whose passing at the time caused universal grieving.

Of Biblical importance as the issue is often described as the Tribute Penny (Mark 12: 14-17)

Of Biblical importance as the issue is often described as the Tribute Penny (Mark 12: 14-17)

Of Biblical importance as the issue is often described as the Tribute Penny (Mark 12: 14-17)

Tiberius was born in 42 B.C. After the death of Agrippa, Augustus became increasingly dependant on his step-son in military matters and Tiberius spent much of his time campaigning on the frontiers of the Empire. His marriage with Augustus' daughter Julia was not a happy one and in 6 A.D. he retired to the island of Rhodes where he spent the next eight years. Augustus never had any affection for Tiberius and it was only after the death of his two grandsons, Caius & Lucius, that he grudgingly recognized Tiberius as probable successor. Tiberius as Emperor proved a capable administrator and the Empire prospered under his rule, but there was much tragedy within the Emperor's family and treason trials grew more common. In 26 A.D. Tiberius retired to Capreae and never again returned to Rome. he died at Misenun in 37 A.D. at age 78. The Ministry and Crucifixion of Jesus Christ occurred in this reign.

The accession of Gaius (Caligula) to the imperial throne on the death of his great-uncle Tiberius signalled a kind of "golden age" in that for the first time, not only did a direct biological descendant of Augustus become emperor, but one who could also claim a direct link with several important Republican figures. Through his mother, Agrippina Sr., Gaius was descended from Augustus, and also Agrippa, the victor of Actium. Gaius' father Germanaicus was the son of Nero Claudius Drusus and nephew of Tiberius, sons of Augustus' widow, Livia. Through his mother Antonia, Germanicus was the grandson of Mark Antony and Octavia, the sister of Augustus. Accordingly, many of his coins recall his dynastic connections to both the Julians and the Claudians as well as his own family, and included in their designs his mother and his three sisters. Unfortunately, after promising beginnings, Caligula proved himself to be one of the most evil and vicious of all Roman Emperors and his murder in 41 AD was widely applauded.

ROME - Claudius, 41-54 AD. Æ As.  10.6 grams. 27mm. Constantia reverse, issued 42 AD, Seaby 1858, VG.

$75

The younger son of Drusus and Antonia, Claudius was born in 10 B.C. A childhood attack of infantile paralysis had left him with a grotesque appearance and it was generally assumed that he was also feeble-minded. He took little part in public life, devoting himself to studies until the death of his nephew Caligula, when he was proclaimed Emperor by the Praetorian guard. It soon became clear that Claudius was an intelligent man and a capable administrator. In 43 A.D. he personally took part in the invasion of Britain. He married his niece Agrippina Junior in 49 A.D. and the following year adopted her son Nero. He died in 54 A.D. possibly as the result of poison administered on the orders of Aggripina.

Nero was born at Antium in 37 A.D. He succeeded to the throne in 54 A.D. and at first the government was in the capable hands of Senecca and Burrus. The young Emperor soon decided to free himself of all restraints, however, and after the death of Burrus in 62 A.D. and the retirement of Senecca, Nero's conduct became unrestrained. He was very enthusiastic about art and sport but his waste and vanity made him most unpopular and it was rumoured that he had started the great fire which destroyed half of Rome in 64 A.D.  In 68 A.D. revolt broke out in Gaul, Africa and Spain. The Praetorians in Rome deserted him and Nero fled and committed suicide.

Born in A.D. 32, a close friend of Nero who appointed him Governor of Lusitania. He supported Galba in his revolt in the hope of being adopted by Galba and eventually becoming Emperor. Galba, however, adopted L Calpurnius Piso, whereupon Otho conspired against the pair, had himself proclaimed Emperor and put both Galba & Piso to death. Defeated in battle by Vitellius, who had also been proclaimed Emperor by the legions of Lower Germany, Otho committed suicide on April 17th, 69 A.D.

Born A.D. 9, the son of a tax gatherer. His military skill carried him to a series of important posts and he commanded part of the forces which invaded Britain in A.D. 43. In A.D. 67 Nero appointed him to quell the Jewish rebellion and he successfully prosecuted the Jewish wars in the troubled period following Nero's death. Proclaimed Emperor by both the legions of Alexandria and Danube, Vespasian defeated the forces of Vitellius in the Battle of Cremona. Vespasian reached Rome in A.D. 70 and quickly set about repairing the damage caused by the Civil Wars. He proved to be a just and industrious ruler and the condition of the State soon improved. He died on June 24th, 79 A.D. and was deified by the Senate.

(Titus Flavius Vespsianus) Born in A.D. 41. The eldest son of Vespasian. Served in Germany & Britain & commanded a legion in his father's Jewish campaign. When Vespasian left to assume the purple, he carried on the Jewish War and captured Jerusalem in A.D. 70. On his return to Rome, Vespasian made him his colleague in the Government and his succession in A.D. 79 was smooth. Titus  proved a most benevolent Emperor and his premature death in A.D. 81 caused great sorrow.

Younger son of Vespasian, born A.D. 51. During the reigns of his father & brother, Domitian was kept very much in the background, but on the death of his brother Titus, his succession was not disputed. At first, he showed great promise, but he was very unpopular with the Senatorial Nobility and numerous plots & conspiracies were made against him. Domitian, suspicious by nature, reacted violently and the last years of his reign were ones of terror and oppression. Domitian was murdered on Sept 18th, 96 A.D. as a result of a palace plot involving his wife and chamberlain.

each

Born in A.D. 32, he became a distinguished lawyer and was consul with Vespasian in A.D. 71 & with Domitian in A.D. 90. Upon Domitian's assassination, he was proclaimed Emperor and in his short reign, he did much to improve the condition of the State. However, he lacked the capacity to command and had only half-hearted support from the Army. This led them to adopt Trajan and on the death of Nerva, Trajan succeeded to Emperor.

Born in Spain circa A.D. 52. He had several important military posts and was appointed Governor of Upper Germany by Nerva who later adopted him as heir to the throne. Trajan conquered Dacia, which then became a Roman Province. The famous column which was erected to mark Trajan's Dacian Wars still stands in Rome today. He also undertook a large building and repair programme throughout the Empire. In the later part of his reign, Trajan fought several campaigns in the East and added new provinces to the Roman Empire, but these were beset by revolts. Trajan died on a journey in Cilicia whilst directing operations against these revolts in August A.D. 117.

Rome - Hadrian, 117-138 AD. Silver Denarius. (19mm, 3.1 grams) Rome mint. RIC 244. RSC 762. S 3494. Laureate head right /Fortuna seated left holding rudder set on globe and cornucopiae. F.

Rome - Hadrian, 117-138 AD. Silver Denarius. (18mm, 3.4 grams) Rome mint. RIC 244. RSC 762. S 3494. Laureate head right /Fortuna seated left holding rudder set on globe and cornucopiae. VF.

Rome - Hadrian, 117-138 AD. Silver Denarius. (20mm, 3.11 grams) Rome mint. RIC 98. RSC 1151. S 3525. Laureate head right /Salus seated left feeding snake arising from altar. Fine.

Rome - Hadrian, 117-138 AD. Silver Denarius.  (19mm, 3.02  grams) Laureate head right / Roma seated left on shield, holding palladium and cornucopia. S 3537. RSC 1312. RIC 265. Good metal and appearance, VF.

P. Aelius Hadrianus was born in A.D. 76 and having lost his father at the age of ten, was placed under the care of guardians, one of whom was the future emperor Trajan. Soon embarked on a military career and was appointed governor of Syria during Trajan's Parthian war.  Much of Hadrian's career was spent visiting the frontiers and he greatly improved the defences, including supervising the building of the remarkable Hadrian's Wall in Britain which ran from the Tyne to the Solway. One of the most capable of all the Roman Emperors and spent much of his life dedicated to the improvement of the Roman State. His rule was firm & humane & he was also a patron of the arts. Died July 10th, A.D. 138, after a long illness.

Roman Provincial. Egypt, Alexandria. Hadrian. 117-138 AD. Æ Drachm (35mm, 22.26 gm). Dated RY 12 (127/8 AD). Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right / Nilus reclining left, holding reed; crocodile below; L IB (date) above. Cf. Köln 990; cf. Dattari 1807; Emmett 1014; Milne 1264. Near Fine, brown patina.  From the Dr Garth R. Drewry Collection.

Roman Provincial. Egypt, Alexandria. Hadrian. 117-138 AD.  Æ Drachm (34mm, 24.49 gm). Dated RY 17 (132/3 AD). Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right / Sarapis and Hadrian standing facing each other within distyle temple containing a small shrine inscribed ADR/IAN/ON in three lines; L IZ (date) across field. Köln 1084; Dattari 1946; Milne 1377; Emmett 1042. Near VF, brown patina, a little smoothed. Scarce.  From the Dr Garth R. Drewry Collection. Ex Paramount (7-8 June 1977), lot 780

Born A.D. 86. He adopted a senatorial career and was consul in A.D. 120, later distinguishing himself as proconsul in Asia. Adopted by Hadrian as his heir in early A.D. 138. The history of his reign is almost a blank in the records, owing to the tranquility and prosperity the Roman world enjoyed under his patient, judicious and impartial rule.  The series of commemorative coins issued after his death were the largest since the reign of Augustus.

The esteem by which she was held by the Emperor can be gauged by the enormous amount of posthumous issues he made in the 20 years after her death. 

Born in A.D. 121, Hadrian had recognized the fine qualities of this youth and he was given the title of Caesar in A.D. 139. His succession to Emperor in A.D. 161 was smooth, although his reign was disturbed by many frontier wars and the legions returning from the Parthian War in A.D. 165 bought with them  a plague which spread through much of the empire and left many districts almost depopulated. Marcus Aurelius spent much of the later period of his reign campaigning on the lower Danube and it was here that he wrote the celebrated "Meditations" Immediately deified upon his death on 17th March A.D. 180. He was a careful, generous and conscientious ruler and is best remembered for his devotion to Stoic philosophy. 

The son of Marcus Aurelius, born in A.D. 161. Made co-emperor in A.D. 177, he accompanied his father to the second Germanic War. Upon becoming Emperor, Commodus concluded a peace treaty with the Germans and hurried back to Rome. Proved the most unworthy son of a noble father, he soon withdrew from public life leaving the administration of the Empire to a number of favourites. In later years, he seems to have become quite insane, believing himself to be the re-incarnation of Hercules and demanding the worship of the people. After numerous plots against his life, he was eventually murdered on the night of Dec 31 A.D. 192.

Born in Africa, through military prowess rose to become Governor of Britain. Septimus Severus, in order to keep the West quiet whilst he consolidated his position, offered Albinus the title of Caesar, which he accepted. However, once Septimus was in control of the East and Italy, he soon demanded control of the whole empire and declared Albinus a public enemy. After being defeated in a great battle fought near Lyons on Feb 19th, A.D. 197, Clodius Albinus committed suicide. 

Came to Rome in A.D. 173 and married Septimus Severus as his second wife. She was a woman of brilliant intellect and was often consulted by Severus on important matters.  After the murder of her son Caracalla in A.D. 217 she committed suicide by a voluntary abstinence from food.

Born in A.D. 146 in Africa, Severus was a soldier of outstanding ability, holding a series of increasingly important commands. Expressed his allegiance to Pertinax, but upon the murder of Pertinax and the shameful elevation of Didius Julianus, he was saluted Emperor by the troops at Carnuntum. He rapidly disposed of Julianus and Niger and soon attacked a third rival, Clodius Albinus in A.D. 197. Severus spent much of his reign campaigning in different parts of the empire & visiting many of the provinces. In A.D. 208 he came to Britain and carried out repairs to Hadrian's wall and campaigned in Northern Britain. This proved too much, however and he died at York on Feb 4th, A.D. 211.

The younger son of Severus and Julia Domna, Geta was born in Rome in A.D. 189. In A.D. 198 he was given the title of Caesar at the same time as his brother, Caracalla, was raised to the title of Augustus. He assisted in the campaigns in Britain and it was the intention of Severus that Geta & Caracalla should serve as co-Emperors. The savage and jealous nature of Caracalla would, however, admit of no such arrangement and Geta was murdered in February A.D. 212 after only three months of joint rule. Their followed a vigorous persecution of all the adherents of Geta in which, it is said, not less than twenty thousand people met their deaths.

M. Aurelis Antoninus, originally named Bassianus, was born at Lugdunum on April 6th A.D. 188 the elder son of Severus & Julia Domna. Created Augustus in A.D. 198 and accompanied his father & brother in the campaigns in Britain. Upon the death of Severus, Caracalla & Geta ruled jointly for three months before Caracalla had Geta assassinated. His reign was marked by extravagance and cruelty and in his wars he acheived more by treachery than by force of arms. Eventually murdered by Macrinus, April 8th, A.D. 217.

Lower grade AE As  of Augustus, from the time of Christ, $25 each

Hadrian, 117-138 AD. Dupondius, G. $35

Constans 337-350 AD. AE4. gF $25

Constantius Gallus, 351-354 AD. AE3, Fine - $25

A selection of Cheaper Roman Coins.

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August (14BC-27AD) AE AS, very worn,  cheap coins from the time of Christ - $20 each.  Germanicus. (died 19AD) AS, S1905. Struck under Claudius, some spots, aF $65  Claudius (41-54AD) AS, Minerva rev, S1861. Lovely sharp portrait, few age spots, VF $100  Hadrian (117-138 AD) Dupondius, Pietas rev, S3665, much wear, G $35 Hadrian Sestertius, green patina, showing its age, but with a decent portrait, VG/gF $80 Gallienus (253-268 AD) Antoninianus, S 2983, corrosion etc, $12 Terticus I 270-273 AD, AE3, Rx Hilaritis S 3177 aEF $40 Constantine I (the Great, 307-337) AE3, VF, rev camp gate $40 another Constantine the Great AE3, Rx Victory gVF $50 Constans (337-350 AD) AE4, S 3970 gF $25 Constantius II (337-361 AD) AE 3 average $15 to $20 each  Constantius Gallus (351-354 AD) AE3, S4056, Fine $25 Gratian (367-383 AD) AE 4, Near Fine $20 Valentinian II (375-392 AD) AE4, small coin but decent portrait, S 4197, VG $18 Theodosius II (402-450 AD) AE4, Desert patina, clear portrait, edge chip, Fine - $15

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