Imperial Coinage

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Visit the Provincial page for futher great Emperors such as Augustus & Tiberius.

The period between the outbreak of civil war between Caesar and Pompey at the beginning of the 49BC and Octavian becoming Augustus in 27BC, contains the 'Imperatorial' coinage.This was a transitional stage of coinage running alongside that produced by Rome and as yet only had the names of those in power and not their portraits. Julius Caesar was the first to make this innovative step, unfortunately he was assassinated only three months later, but the idea stuck and later issues all had the ruler's portraits on them and the Imperial coinage evolved. The Imperatorial coins of Pompey, Caesar, Octavian and Anthony etc will be added to this area for convenience, when available.

The Imperial Coinage of Rome covers over 500 years, from the establishment of Octavian (Augustus) to the transformation and rise of Constantinople to Byzantinian coinage with Anastasius I. Those coins produced at provincial mints are separated, as are the Byzantine coins.

Antoninus Pius, Bronze Sestertius, Liberalitas,

Rome, AD 145

Obverse: Laureate head, right; ANTONINVS AVG P P IMP

Reverse: COS IIII above emperor seated left on curule chair on top of a platform with officer standing behind, Liberalitas holding abacus and cornucopia, citizen standing right at foot of platform, holding out fold of toga. [LIBERALITAS AVG III] in two lines in exergue. S C either side in field.

30mm, 26.54g

Grade: VF, unusual obverse legend of IMP instead of TR P

Ref: RIC III 774, S4187

Prov: Ex TimeLine auctions

£300 (+P&P, non-UK locations please ask) #8

Domitian as Caesar under Vespasian, 77-78AD, Silver Denarius, Horseman Riding Right

Obverse: DOMITIANVS CAESAR AVG F; laureate bust right

Reverse: Rider on horseback raising right hand, right, COS V

19mm, 2.78g

Ref: S2638, RIC 957

Grade: AVF/F, old European packet

£95 (P&P FREE to UK, other locations please ask) #139a

Augustus, Silver Denarius, Lugdunum Mint, Bull Butting, 15BC

Obverse: Bare head of Augustus, right, AVGVSTVS DIVI .F

Reverse: Bull butting right, IMP.X in exergue

19mm, 3.67g

Grade: VF+ slightly off centre as this coin often is, wonderful example

Ref: RIC I 167a, RSC 137

£470 (P&P FREE to UK, other locations please ask) #146

Hadrian Brass Dupondius, Rome Mint, Annona, 119AD

Obverse: Hadrian's radiate and heroic bust right, drapery on far shoulder, IMP CAESAR TRAIANVS HADRIANVS AVG

Reverse: Annona standing left by altar, forepart of galley behind her, PONT MAX TR POT COS III SC, ANNONA AVG in exergue

28mm, 12.86g

Ref: RIC 570, S3576

Grade: Almost very fine

£135 (P&P FREE to UK, other locations please ask) #168

Antoninus Pius, Brass Sestertius, AD 141-143, Rome Mint, Italia Seated, SCARCE

Obverse: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS III; laureate head of Antoninus Pius to the right

Reverse: [ITALIA] below; Italia, towered and draped, seated to the left on globe, holding cornucopia and sceptre; in fields: SC

Grade: VF/ AVF dark patina, rubbed in places, Scarce coin. 25.75g, 32.96mm

Ref: RIC 746a

Prov: Ex Hansons, previously Essex coins

£120 (P&P FREE to UK, other locations please ask) #114

Hadrian Silver Denarius, AD 126-127, Virtus

Obverse: Laureate head to right, traces of drapery visible on shoulder, HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS

Reverse: Virtus, helmeted and draped, standing to right, left foot on helmet, holding spear in right and parazonium in left

3.11g, 18mm

Grade: Very fine, lovely portrait

Ref: RIC II.3 851

Prov: Ex Roma, previously a European collection

£110 SOLD #110

Hadrian, Silver Denarius, Hispania, Rome Mint, 136AD, Scarce

Obverse: Laureate and draped bust, right, HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P

Reverse: RESTITVTORI HISPANIAE Hadrian, togate, standing left, extending his right hand to grasp that of Hispania, who kneels left before him; between them a rabbit or helmet.

18mm, 3.41g, Ref: cf S3535

Grade: NEF

Prov: Ex Lockdales

£200 SOLD

Nerva, Silver Denarius, Rome Mint, Aequitas Holding Scales, 96AD

Obverse: Laureate head, right, IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS III P P

Reverse: Aequitas standing holding scales and cornucopia, AEQVITAS AVGVST

3.61g, 18mm

Grade: AEF/VF

Ref: S2019, RIC 1

£170 (P&P FREE to UK, other locations please ask first)

Geta as Caesar Under Caracalla, Silver Denarius, Laodicea Mint, 200AD

Obverse: P SEPT GETA CAES PONT, bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right

Reverse: VICT AETERN, Victory flying left, holding open wreath with both hands over shield set on base

Ref: S7205, RIC23

Grade: EF+

19mm, 2.9g

£250 (P&P FREE to UK, other locations please ask)

Nerva, SIlver Denarius, Rome Mint, Priestly Symbols, 97AD

Obverse: Laureate head right, IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR POT II

Reverse: COS III PATER PATRIAE

18mm, 2.85g

Ref: S3022, RIC 12

Prov: ex Lockdales

Grade: VF but weak in parts, sprinkler is only partly visible

£165 (+ P&P, non-UK locations please ask)

Imperatorial Coinage, Mark Antony, Quinarius, Portrait of His First Wife, Fulvia, 42BC, Lugdunum

This coin is famous on two counts. Firstly, as it was issued by Mark Antony and secondly, as it depicts his first wife Fulvia. Numimatically histroical, as it was the first time a living female had been depicted on coinage!

Obv: Winged bust of Fulvia, as Victory, right, III•VIR behind, R•P•C before

Rev: Lion walking right between A - XLI, ANTONI above, IMP in exergue

14mm, 1.67g

Grade: NVF, these coins are rarely seen and those that are are often in poor grade, this is a good example! There appears to be bankers test marks on both sides too!

Prov: ex Savoca Coins, Munich

Fulvia was Antony's first wife, but this was her third marriage. She was a courageous, forceful women in a time when this was seen as unfeminine. She gained riches from her previous two marriages to wealthy families and was the shrewd, yet loyal, woman behind the throne in her marriage to Antony. She was despised by many for her less than expected feminine ways and many unsavoury rumours were spread about her conduct. Her images were often defaced or obliterated, hence the rarity of her coins. She died in 40BC of natural causes, probably!

£360 (+P&P)

Drusus, Son of Tiberius, Restitution Issue Struck Under Titus, Rome Mint, As

Obverse: DRVSVS CAESAR TI AVG F DIVI AVG N, bare head of Drusus, left

Reverse: IMP T CAES DIVI VESP F AVG REST around large SC

Ref: RIC 437, S2594

24mm, 8.71g

Grade: Very Fine, SCARCE

£200 (+P&P)

Julia Domna, Denarius, 211-217AD,

Struck under Caracalla, Diana with Torch

Obv: IVLIA PIA FELIX AVG, draped bust right

Reverse: DIANA LVCIFERA, Diana standing left holding long torch with both hands.

Reverse a little weak but the portrait is good.

VF+/VF

£65 (P&P free to UK)

Divus Lucius Verus (issued by Marcus Aurelius in his honour) Rome 169AD, Denarius

Obv: bare headed bust of Lucius Verus, DIVVS VERUS

A rare example as only two denominations were produced.

Rev: CONSECRATIO, eagle standing right, head left, wings open

Ref: S5204

3.17, 20mm

VF but a little ragged to edge

£60 (+P&P)

Diva Faustina Senior, Silver Denarius, Rome After 147AD, Peacock on Sceptre

Obv: Draped bust of Faustina Senior, right; DIVA FAUSTINA

Ref: RSC 32

Rev: Peacock standing r., head l., on sceptre with knobs on both ends.

EF/AEF, Good silver and toned

2.9g, 17mm

£120 (+P&P)

Divus Antoninus Pius, 161AD, Crematorium, Denarius

Head of deified Antoninus

Ref: RIC 436, Cohen 164

Rev: Pyre, CONSECRATIO

VF

3.12g, 18mm

£65 (+P&P)

Imperatorial Coinage, M. Junius Brutus (Julius Caesar's Assassin in 44BC), Silver Denarius, 54BC

Brutus was born M Junius Brutus but after being adopted took the name Q. Servilius Caepio Brutus, he later reverted to his birth name. As senator, he took a leading role amongst the plotters leading to the assassination of Julius Caesar, in the belief that it would save the Roman Republic. However, the death of Caesar in 44BC resulted in civil war and two years later he committed suicide after losing the battle of Philippi.

Obverse: bust of Libertas right, LIBERTAS behind

Reverse: Consul L. Junius Brutus (509BC), between two lictors, preceded by accensus, all walking left, BRVTVS in exergue.

Grade: VF

20mm, 3.50g

Prov: ex Savoca Coins

His name has become synonymous with betrayal. His coin types relate to his illustrious ancestry.

£230 (+P&P) SOLD

Imperial Coinage

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