History Coins
Imperial Coinage
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
transformation and rise of Constantinople to Byzantinian coinage with Anastasius I. Those coins produced at provincial mints are separated, as are the Byzantine coins.
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.
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
Tiberius, 'Tribute Penny' Silver Denarius, 14-37AD, Lyon Mint
Obverse: TI CAESAR DIVI AVG AVGVSTVS laureate head right.
Allegedly, this was the coin shown to Jesus when he uttered "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's" whilst in the temple.
Reverse: PONTIF MAXIM with Livia (his mother) as Pax seated right on throne, holding long sceptre and olive branch, chair legs ornamented, single line below.
3.7g, 20mm
Ref: S1763
Grade: Good very fine
£250 SOLD
Claudius, AE As, Rome Mint, 42AD
Obverse: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P P P, bare head of Claudius, left
Reverse: LIBERTAS AVGVSTA S-C
Ref: S1860
29mm, 9.14g
Grade: Almost Very Fine
Prov: ex Chris Rudd Collection, ex John Lumley collection.
£100 SOLD
Claudius, AE As, Rome Mint, 41-50AD
Obverse: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP, bare head of Claudius, left
Reverse: CONSTANTIAE AVGVSTI S-C, Constantia in military dress standing left holding spear
Ref: S1857
28mm, 11.31gg
Grade: Fine+, Sandy deposits
£85 (+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)
Faustina Junior (Under Marcus Aurelius) Denarius, Rome, 161-175AD, Hilaritas
Obv: draped bust, right
Rev: Hilaritas standing left holding long palm and cornucopiae.
VF
3.28g, 18mm
£45 (+P&P) SOLD
Vespasian Denarius (Regular Series) Rome 72AD, Victory with Standard
Obv: laureate bust of Vespasian, right, IMP CAES VESP AVG P M COS III
Rev: Victory advancing right, placing wreath on standard and holding palm
Ref: S2317
2.8g, 18mm
£120 (+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
Septimus Severus Silver Denarius, 197-8AD
Obverse: L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP X, laureate
head right
Reverse: MARTI PACIFERO, Mars standing
left, right foot on top of helmet and holding a branch and reversed spear.
Ref: S6311
2.83g, 17mm, aVF/F
SALE
Was £80 now £70 SOLD
Septimus Severus Silver Denarius, 194AD
Obverse: L SEPT SEV PE-RT AVG IMP III,
laureate head right
Reverse: VIRT AVG TR P II COS II P P,
Virtus helmeted, standing left, holding Victory and reversed spear.
Ref:RIC IV 39
17mm, 2.97g, aVF
£70 SOLD
Augustus and Agrippa, Gaul, Nemausus, AE As
Obverse: Back to back heads of Augustus and Agrippa
Reverse: Crocodile chained to palm.
Near VF pitting, but lovely reverse.
25mm, 12.59g
£110 SOLD
Augustus Bronze Dupondius, Minted After Death by Tiberius, A RARE Example
Obverse: DIVVS AVGVSTVS PATER ratiate bust left
Reverse: large SC within wreath
14.34g, 28mm
Grade: Very fine, slight pitting to ob. RARE coin.
£160 SOLD
Claudius (41-54AD) AE As, Rome Mint
Obverse: Bear head of Claudius, left
28mm, 11.05g
Reverse: Minerva, wearing aegis, advancing right, brandishing spear with right hand and holding shield with left.
Grade: VF, brown patina
£95 (+P&P) SOLD
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