The end of the Hellenistic period did not result in the restoration of the independent Greek city coinage. There was a new power ready to take over. Early Roman coinage included silver didrachms for use in trade with the Greek colonies in southern Italy. For home use the Romans preferred bronze coinage. The earliest Roman bronzes were not tokens; they contained the full value of metal. These coins are big! As time passed, practicality resulted in a shrinking of the weight standards until the standard denomination, the as, dropped from the original full Roman pound to a half ounce. In the late third century BC Rome began to issue a silver coin, the denarius, valued at ten asses. Soon retariffed at sixteen asses, the denarius would remain the standard Roman coin for over 400 years.

Rome was a Republic and proud of its lack of a king. No politician dared put himself on too high a pedestal or there certainly would be someone prepared to cut him down to size. Coins during the Republic were issued by moneyers serving in the office as one step along the honored course of civil service that could eventually lead to the highest office, the consulship. Many of these moneyers issued coins calling to public memory great moments in Roman history, especially moments involving a member of the moneyer's family. No living person could be shown on the coins but the image of a deceased hero of the Republic was quite acceptable and if this hero happened to share the family name; so much the better.

The end of the Republic saw the rise of men bold enough to place their portraits on the coins. These included Julius Caesar, Brutus, Mark Antony and other Romans still famous today. The last personality of this "Imperatorial" period was Octavian, the adopted son of Caesar soon to be known as the first Roman Emperor: Caesar Augustus.

Augustus permanently changed the Roman state from the Republic to the Empire. The early coins of Augustus resemble issues of the other men of the Imperatorial period but later issues set what would become the new standard. These coins bear long legends around the edges of both sides of the coin. From this point until the end of the Roman Empire the standard coin would bear the head of the Emperor surrounded by his name and titles on the obverse. The reverses varied greatly including figures of gods or personifications of virtues. Usually the perimeter of the reverse would bear a legend relating to the reverse type or just continuing the series of titles begun on the obverse. Many coins are dated by numerals giving the number of times the Emperor had held certain offices or received certain honors.

Following the death of Augustus the Empire passed peacefully to his appointed successor Tiberius. The question of succession was not always so clear cut or peaceful. In an attempt to solidify his own position and that of his family, most Roman Emperors issued coins in the names of family members. In the early Empire these coins honored members of the imperial house and pointed out that the way the emperor fit into the family of Augustus. Later, coins issued in the names of family members reinforced the idea of who was to succeed to the throne. In many cases the heir was made co-emperor ("Augustus") before the death of the current ruler. The large 'SC' in the field indicates that Roman bronze coins were issued by decree of the Senate (SENATUS CONSULTO). These letters are found on almost all Roman bronze coins until the late third century AD.

These family issues include some of the most fascinating of the Roman Imperial coins. Young children can be watched as they grow. Hair styles of empresses showed the progress of fashion. Roman art style required enough realism that we are shown age and youth; beauty and ugliness. Altogether it is possible for the collector to recognize about 200 different people from the imperial families. Add to this variety introduced by increasing age and various mint styles and it is seen clearly that coins are an important source in the study of Roman portraiture.