Historical Coins |
|
| TITLE |
+ |
- |
| FILE NAME |
+ |
- |
| DATE |
+ |
- |
| POSITION |
+ |
- |
|
|
Roman republic, Didrachm372 viewsDidrachm struck in Rome, circa 269-266 BC
Obv : diademed head of Hercules right, wearing lion's skin and with club on shoulder
Rev : ROMANO at exergue. She-wolf suckling Remus and Romulus
7.29 gr
Ref : RCV # 24
This silver didrachm is supposed to be the first silver coinage struck under the authority of the roman republic. Mr Crawford found 136 ex of this coin, with 18 different dies for the obverse and 24 for reversePotator II
|
|
Domitius Domitianus, Octadrachm339 viewsOctadrachm struck in Alexandria in 297 AD
Obv : DOMTI - ANOCCEB, radiate head of Domitianus right
Rev : LB (regnal year 2), Serapis walking right, palm behind
12.79 gr
Ref : Sear #4801, Alexandrian coins #4241/2 (the illustration is this ex)
Domitius Domitianus, stationed in Egypt, rebelled against Diocletianus in july 296 AD and was proclaimed emperor. He was defeated during spring 297 AD. Diocletian decided to close the alexandrian mint, so the coins of Domitianus are the last provincial coins from Alexandria. Also, Domitianus was the only ruler to strike octadrachms (in paralle with didrachms, tetradrachms and hexadrachms)Potator II
|
|
Agrippina the Elder (ca. 14 B.C.-33 A.D)495 viewsAgrippina the Elder (ca. 14 B.C.-33 A.D)
Sestertius
Daughter of Julia and Marcus Agrippa, wife of Germanicus and mother of Emperor Caligula. The most beautiful woman of all Caesars in the most incredible condition. The finest known specimen orriginally from the Morreti Collection.
Obv.Posthumous portrait ordered by Caligula to commemorate his mother who had tragically died in exile. Rev.The carpentum drawn by two mules, the vehicle reserved for the use of the women of the imperial family in the city.
Cohen 1 ; RIC 42 Petitioncrown
|
|
Altar of Lugdunum531 viewsCAESAR PONT MAX
Laureate head of Augustus, right.
ROM ET AVG
Altar flanked by two columns each surmounted by Victory.
Various sacred items on top; mystic symbols to front.
Copper As 22.5 mm 9.5 gm
Augustus took a risky break with tradition by allowing
himself to be the object of cult adoration. To minimize
the affront to his fellow Romans, he permitted the
practice only in the West. Interestingly, the year of
dedication in 10 BC saw the birth of Claudius in the same
place.
MassanuttenMassanutten
|
|
Augustus RIC I, 322365 viewsAugustus 27 BC - AD 14
AR - Denar, 3.83g, 20mm, Rome 19 BC, by moneyer Q Rustius
obv. Q RVSTIVS - FORTVNA, ANTIAT (in ex., hard to see!)
Busts, draped, jugate, r., of Fortuna Victrix, helmeted, holding patera in l.
hand, and Fortuna Felix, wearing stephane;
both busts rest on bar terminating at each end in a ram' s head
rev. CAESARI . AVGVSTO
A highly ornamented rectangular altar with a bowl on it, inscribed in front
FOR.RE
ex.: EX.S.C.
RIC I, 322; BMCR 2
R2; about VF, toned
FORTVNA ANTIATIS, Fortuna of Antium, one of the most important places of Fortuna worshipping, as two goddesses, sisters, FORTVNA VICTRIX, more male, and FORTVNA FELIX, more female. Or as two aspects of only one goddess?
On the rev. the altar of FORTVNA REDVX, erected by the Senatus for the lucky return of Augustus 19BC with the 53 standards from the Parthians in Rome near the Porta Capuana.
Q Rustius celebrates Augustus and his own hometown Antium.Jochen
|
|
Augustus RIC I, 86a659 viewsJochen's Augustus RIC I, 86a
Augustus, 27 BC - AD 14
AR - Denar, 3.74g, 19mm
Colonia Patricia(?), ca. 19 BC - 18 BC
obv. CAESAR AVGVSTVS
bare head r.
rev. SIGNIS above, RECEPTIS under round shield inscribed with CL.V between
eagle l. and standard r. S.P.Q.R. at the corners of the shield
RIC I, 86a; BMCR 417; RSC 265
good VF, toned
The eagle standards were introduced by Marius similar to the Ptolemaic eagle to each of his legions. This issue celebrates the recovery of the 3 eagle-standards 20 BC by Augustus (by negotiations), which were lost by Crassus 53 BC at the battle of Carrhae against the Parthians. The 3 eagles thereafter were erected in the new temple of Mars Ultor on the Forum of Augustus. The day of recovery was determined public holiday.
Jochen
|
|
AUGUSTUS. AR Cistophorus (3 denarii) of Pergamum. Struck c.19 - 18 B.C.110 viewsObverse: IMP IX TR PO V. Bare head of Augustus facing right.
Reverse: Triumphal arch surmounted by Augustus in facing triumphal quadriga; IMP IX TR POT V on architrave; S P R SIGNIS RECEPTIS in three lines within arch opening, standards at either side.
RIC I : 510 (s) | BMC : 703 | RSC : 298.
This coin commemorates Augustus' triumphant agreement with the Parthians in 20 B.C. under which they returned the legionary standards captured from Crassus who was defeated and killed at Carrhae thirty-three years earlier (53 B.C.) Augustus installed these standards in the Temple of Mars Ultor.
The reverse of the coin shows the triumphal arch which was awarded to Augustus on the occasion of his recovery of the standards. This was the second triumphal arch awarded to Augustus and, like the earlier arch which had been constructed in 29 BC to honour his victory over Cleopatra, this second arch stood in close proximity to the Temple of Divus Julius at the southern entrance to the Roman Forum.divvsavgvstvs
|
|
Saladin377 viewsSaladin (Salah al-Din)
Ayyubid
Dirham Halab (Aleppo) 580AH/1184AD
Recaptured Jerusalem from the crusaders and defeated their armies at Hittin in 1187.barrage
|
|
|
|
|
Q. Cassius Longinus -- AR Denarius340 viewsQ. Cassius Longinus -- AR Denarius. Head of Libertas right; LIBERT left, Q. CASSIVS right / Curule chair within temple of Vesta; urn to left and voting tablet inscribed AC to right. Crawford 428/2; Sydenham 918; Cassia 8. Triton VI, Lot 739.
CNG's historical take on these coins: The reverse of this attractive type alludes to an incident in 113 BC, in which the College of Ponftiffs acquitted two Vestal Virgins, allegedly improperly, on charges of incest, while condemning a third. An ancestor of the moneyer was called in to investigate the affair. The curule chair under the circular temple alludes to the judicial power given to the investigator; the urn to the left and the tablet to the right inscribed A/C (for Absolvo and Condemno) is the ballot used by jurors to vote for guilt or innocence.Joe Sermarini
|
|
gallienus DIANAE CONS AVG242 viewsgallienus, 267-268 A.D., mint of rome..
OBV: GALLIENVS AVG, radiate head right.
REV: DIANAE CONS AVG, stag walking left. X in exergue.
this coin is historically important because it is believed that this coin was minted to commemorate vows to goddess diana and invoke her protection of gallienus against the revolt of aureolus... theres a whole series of these asking all kinds of different gods/goddesses for help. when i get more of these " zoo" coins ill post them here!
submitted by ancientcoinsancientcoins
|
|
This coin was given to my dad while we were in Ethiopia in 196921 viewsThis coin was given to my dad while we were in Ethiopia in 1969dhissen
|
|
This coin was given to my dad while we were in Ethiopia in 196927 viewsThis coin was given to my dad while we were in Ethiopia in 1969dhissen
|
|
Commodus--Concordia Militum7 viewsSesteertius 28mm 20.51 g
o: Laur Head R
r: Concordia Militum standing L holding 2 legionary standards/SC
Coin was minted in 186 AD and refers to the unity of purpose among legions that enabled the suppression of Perennis' plot against Commodus in 185 ADlaney
|
|
Constantius II RIC VIII, Alexandria 58346 viewsConstantius II 324 - 361, son of Constantin I
AE - AE 3, 4.68g, 21mm
Alexandria 2. officina, 348 - 350
obv. DN CONSTA - NTIVS PF AVG
draped bust, pearl-diademed head l., holding globe with r.
rev. FEL TEMP - REPARATIO
helmeted soldier walking r., head l., holding reversed spear l. and
leading young barbarian out of his hut, tree behind
exergue: ALEB
RIC VIII, Alexandria 58; C.53
VF, sandpatina
added to www.wildwinds.com
This issue celebrates the fact that AD 342 under Constans the Franks were taken over the Rhine and settled in Taxandria (Belgium). This was a peaceful act (the barbarian would not been dragged but guided!) done by negotiations and the Franks had to fight for the Romans.
Jochen
|
|
Constantius II RIC VII, Antiochia 132436 viewsConstantius II, AD 324-362, son of Constantin I
AE - AE3, 5.56g, 24mm, Antiochia 11.officina, AD 350-355
obv. DN CONSTAN - TINVS PF AVG
draped, cuirassed bust, pearl-diademed head r., necklace
rev. FEL TEMP RE - PARATIO
Soldier spearing falling horseman, which stretching arm against him
(so-called FH3 type)
field left: Gamma
exergue: ANAI
RIC VIII, Antiochia 132; LRBC 2625
nice EF, nearly uncirculated
The reverse clearly shows a Parthian identified by his headgear. This issue most probably celebrates Constantius' victory in the battle of Singara AD 344 against the Sassanides where the Romans succeeded in capturing the successor of the throne. Jochen
|
|
|
Domitian sestertius saecular games98 viewsIMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM PM TR P VIII CENS POT PP
COS XIIII LVD SAEC A POP / FRVG AC / SC
RIC 375a (R2), Cohen 83 (50 fr.),
Show a scene of the saecular's games, a distribution to people of fruits from harvest.
Collection Frederic Weber frederic W
|
|
Athens Emergency Issue Plated Tetradrachm Circa 406-404 BC496 viewsQuote from David Sear:
"Athens was the greatest power in the Greek world throughout most of the 5th century BC. Its famous 'owl' coinage, principally of silver tetradrachms, possibly commenced in 510 BC on the occasion of the downfall of the tyrant Hippias. On these celebrated coins the helmeted head of the goddess Athena was accompanied by her attendant owl and the first three letters of the ethnic 'AQE'. Later, a diadem of olive leaves was added to Athena's helmet and a cresent moon was placed in the reverse field, though the precise chronological significance of these changes remains uncertain. To the intense chagrin of the Spartans Athens became the leader of the Greek states, including those of Ionia, in the epic struggle against the expansionist policies of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. The victories at Salamis (480 BC) and the Eurymedon (circa 467) clearly established the Athenian supremacy in the Aegean world. Initially, the Delian League (founded in 477) was an alliance of independent states sharing a common cause under the leadership of Athens. It gradually developed into an Athenian maritime empire with the member cities obliged to pay an annual tribute into the League's treasury on Delos. In 454 this treasury, amounting to 5,000 talents of silver, was actually removed to Athens and the vast wealth was openly employed for the aggrandizement of the city, now under the leadership of the great statesman Pericles. Vast building projecdts, such as the monumental edifices on the Acropolis, were financed in this way. From 431, however, Athens became embroiled in the protracted Peloponnesian War and increasingly the wealth of the state was dissipated in this futile cause. This attractive tetradrachm belongs to the exceptionally large ouput of Athenian 'owls' made during the second half of the 5th century. In contrast to the artistic development taking place at mints in other parts of the Mediterranean world, the late archaic style of the earlier 5th century became 'frozen' on these issues which represent the first truly imperial coinage of the Greek world. As Athens restricted or forbade the issue of independent currency at many of the cities within her sphere of influence the 'owls' came to circulate over an increasingly wide area. But this all came to an end with the defeat of Athens by Sparta in 404 BC and during the period immediately preceding this catastrophe the Athenians were reduced to the desperate expedient of issuing bronze tetradrachms and drachms with a thin surface coating of silver. This specimen is an excellent example of this emergency coinage the production of which drew contemporary comment from Aristophanes who, in his play Frogs (717ff), compares the decline in the quality of the leading citizens with the recent debasement of the Athenian coinage."Gunner
|
|
Anonymous (Ezanas Christian)274 viewsObverse: Bust rt. Garment draped on shoulders, v-neck collar, wearing a head cloth. Within a beaded border. Greek inscription BAX ACA (Interpretation uncertain)
Reverse: Greek cross in beaded inner circle, cross inlaid with gold. Greek inscription outside circle TOYTOAP[CHTHXWPA (May this please the country/people)
Date : AD.330-358
Reference : M-H 50, V27
Grade : EF
Weight : 0.73g
Metal : Silver
Comments : AR 13mm, Die Axis 0°, Aksum has claims to be the first civilization anywhere to use Christian imagery on its coins. King Ezanas became a Christian early in his reign and quickly made Christianity the official state religion. Around A.D. 330 he began to use the cross on his coinage as propaganda to spread his new religion, this is type is thought to be the first of those issues.
Bolayi
|
|
Germanicus RIC I, (Gaius) 57357 viewsGermanicus, died AD 19, brother of Claudius, father of Gaius Caligula
AE - Dupondius, 16.7g, 31mm, Rome AD 41-54
obv. GERMANICVS/CAESAR in two lines across field
Germanicus bare-headed and in military cloak standing r. in a slow-quadriga
ornamented with Victory holding wreath.
rev. SIGNIS - RECEPT/DEVICTIS - GERM/S- C in three lines, between them Germanicvs bare-headed in tunika standing l., r. hand raised for greeting, in l.
hand eagle-sceptre
RIC II, (Gaius) 57; C.7; BMCR. 94
VF, nice patina!
This issue commemorates the triumph of Germanicus AD 17 due to his rather poor successful campaigns against the Germans, where he regains 2 of the 3 signs of the 17., 18. and 19. legion which were lost AD 9 by Varus in the battle of Teutoburg Forest. On the battlefield he let collect the mortal remains of the dead and built a big tomb.
For Latin scholars: The grammar structure on the rev. is the infamous 'ablativus absolutus' and we find a nice Chiasmus, a crossing of words.Jochen
|
|
HADRIANVS BRITANNICUS394 viewsSestertius of Hadrian, AD 122. EXERC BRITANNICVS SC ("For the army of Britain, by order of the Senate") RIC 913.
The reverse shows Hadrian addressing the troops in England, standing on a low plinth, clearly showing the Roman soldiers with their standards.
Coin currently in the British Museum Department of Coins and Medals (gallery 49, case 14).
Obv. HADRIANVS AVG COS 111 PP ("Hadrian Augustus, three times consul, father of his country") Petitioncrown
|
|
592 viewsGens Licinia. Roman republic. With another coin of Gens Cassia, it's to my knowledge the only coin representing the democratic act of voting. A lesson of democracy for the other ancient coutries, but even for us...
PliniusPLINIUS
|
|
Marcus Aurelius RIC III, 163306 viewsMarcus Aurelius AD 161-180
AR - Denar, 3.53g, 18.1mm, Rome summer-Dec. 166
obv. M ANTONINVS AVG ARM PARTH MAX, laureate head l.
rev. TRP XX IMP IIII COS III, Victoria standing facing, holding palmbranch in l., and with r. put shield with VIC PAR on a palmtree
RIC III, 163; C.878
The war against the Parthians AD 161-166:
The tension between Rome and the Parthians were growing due to the control over Armenia, the important buffer state, after the death of Antoninus and the uncertainties in Rome (two emperors!). Volagaeses III put his candidate on the throne. So Marc Aurel decided to send Lucius Verus, who has a bad reputation, and his best general Avidius Cassius. They succeded in catching and destroying towns and fortresses, f.e. Seleucia and Ctesiphon. The Roman advance was so quick that it reminds on Alexander the Great. AD 166 the Parthians surrendered and Rome could put his candidate on the Armenian throne.
Jochen
|
|
Marcus Aurelius RIC III, 338306 viewsAR - Denar, 3.25g, 18.8mm
Rome, Dec. 175 - Dec. 176
obv. M ANTONINVS AVG GERM SARM
head laureate, r.
rev. TRP XXX IMP VIII COS III PP
Pile of arms
in ex: DE GERM
RIC III, 338
Scarce; VF(?)
added to www.wildwinds.com
Early in 169, the Marcomanni and Quadi crossed the Danube, penetrated the intervening provinces, and entered Italy. The culmination of their onslaught was a siege of Aquileia. The effect upon the inhabitants of the peninsula was frightful. This was the first invasion of Italy since the late second century B.C., when the Cimbri and Teutones had been separately crushed by Marius.
After a rapid mobilization of forces MARCUS AURELIUS turned north and began his counterattacks against the barbarians. First and foremost, the enemy had to be driven out of Italy and then into their own territory beyond the Danube. But it was a time-consuming and expensive operation. 23 Nov. 176 he held the triumph over Germans and Sarmati. Raetia and Noricum became Roman provinces.Jochen
|
|
MAXIMINUS I denarius AD23596 viewsobv:IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG
rev:SALVS AVGVSTI (Salus seated left, feeding from patera a serpent arising from altar)
ref:RIC14, C.85
2.80gms
The reverse of SALVS AVGVSTI means the Health of the Emperor – should commemorate the Emperor’s survival through two conspiracies against his life. (from RIC IV i)
The ex-consul Magnus had entered into a conspiracy with a number of soldiers and centurions to stab Maximinus, wishing thereby to get the imperial power for himself. Maximinus wished to make a bridge (through the Rhine at Mogantiacum) and cross over against the Germans, and it was resolved that the conspirators should cross over with him and then, breaking the bridge behind them, surround Maximinus on the barbarians' side and kill him, while Magnus seized the throne. (from Historia Augusta)
There was an another uprising by disgruntled soldiers who accompanied Severus Alexander from the East and who championed the recently dismissed provincial governor Quartinus as a rival emperor.
berserker
|
|
Titus RIC II, 23240 viewsJochen's Titus RIC II, 23
Titus 79 - 81
AR - Denar, 3.51g, 17mm
Rome 80
obv. IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG PM
laureate head r.
rev. TRP IV IMP XV COS VIII PP
winged thunderbolt on nice draped table ('pulvinar' of Jupiter and Juno?)
RIC II, 23(b); C.314; BMCR.51
EF nice portrait
These issues show pulvinaria (pl.) prepared for the solemn lectisternium followed the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79 which destroyed Pompeji and Herculaneum.
PULVINAR, seat, on which goods were offered to the gods at a lectisternium, a banquet.
LECTISTERNIUM, a 'laying out of couches', the name for a sacrifice conducted by the Romans at times of great public distress. Couches were set out and tables placed before them, and then images of the gods were laid upon the couches and a banquet set before them.
The thunderbolt, like the eagle, one of the main attributes of Jupiter.Jochen
|
|
Trajan RIC II, 219275 viewsTrajan AD 88 - 117
AR - Denar, 3.15g, 19.9mm
Rome AD 103 - 111
obv. IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC PM TRP COS V PP
bust laureate, r.
rev. SPQ.R. OPTIMO PRINCIPI
Dacian, in mourning attitude, seated on shield; below curved sword
RIC II, 219; BMCR cf.175
uncirculated
This issue celebrates the triumph of Trajan in the war against Dacia. The 1. Dacian war started AD 101 and by clever strategy, building of bridges over the Danube, AD 102 the Dacian king Decebalus choosed to capitulate and sweared obedience. He was to become a client king. Trajan gained the title DACICVS.
But then Decebalus started new offensives against Rome and Trajan took the field again AD 106. This 2. Dacian war was a brutal struggle. Decebalus committed suicid. The triumph in Rome lasted 123 days. Dacia with its vast wealthy becomes Roman province. Most of the inhabitants were killed or enslaved, their place taken for immigrants. Appolodorus built the huge Trajan column for propaganda.
Jochen
|
|
Lucius Verus sestertius REX ARMEN DAT135 viewsRoma, 163-164
L AVREL VERVS AVG ARMENIACVS
REX ARMEN DAT / TR P IIII IMP II COS II / SC
RIC 1371 (R); Cohen 161 (30 fr.)
Frederic Weber's collection
frederic W
|
|
|
|
|
