Classical Numismatics Discussion Members' Coin Collection Photo Gallery

Image search results - "MILIT"

AE3, Constantinople mint, 395-401 AD
Obverse: DN ARCADIVS PF AVG, Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Reverse: VIRTVS EXERCITI, Emperor standing facing in military uniform, being crowned from behind by Victory.
CONSB in exergue
RIC 60
17mm, 2.1gms.
Jerome Holderman

CLAUDIUS I - As - 42/54 AD - Mint of Rome
Obv.: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP P P
Bare head left
Rev.: CONSTANTIAE AVGVSTI S C
Constantia, helmeted and in military dress, standing left, holding long spear in left hand.
Cohen 14, Sear RCV 1858
g. 10 mm. 29,91 commentsMaxentius

SEVERINA - Billon Antoninianus - Rome mint - 275 AD
Obv.: SEVERINA AVG, diademed, draped bust right on crescent
Rev.: CONCORDIAE MILITVM, Concordia standing left with two ensigns, A to right, XXIR in ex.
Gs. 3,5, mm. 21,9
RIC 4, Cohen 7. Maxentius

Constantius I Chlorus - AE Post-Reform Radiate - 294-299 AD - Alexandria mint
Obv.: FL VAL CONSTANTIVS NOB CAES, radiate cuirassed bust right
Rev.: CONCORDIA MILITVM, Constantius standing right, receiving globe from Jupiter standing opposite and holding a scepte, Δ between. In ex., ALE
Gs. 3,2 mm. 20,5
Cohen 20

Maxentius

Denarius -110-109 BC. - Rome mint
P. PORCIVS LAECA - Gens Porcia
Obv.: Helmeted head of Roma right; P LÆCA behind; ROMA above; X under the chin
Rev.: Roman soldier standing left, placing his hand on head of a citizen, lictor standing behind; PROVOCO in ex.
Gs. 3,8 mm. 18,68x16,90
Crawf. 301/1, Sear RCV 178
It refers to Lex Porcia de provocatione, by which a citizen could appeal against military sentences

Maxentius

Cyzicus RIC 18a Constantius I Chlorus AE Post-
Reform Radiate. 294-299 AD. FL VAL CONSTA
NTIVS NOB CAES, radiate cuirassed bust right /
CONCORDIA MILITVM, Constantius standing
right receiving globe from Jupiter standing opposite
and holding a scepte, KB between. Coin #128
cars100

Macrinus Denarius
20 mm 3.05 gm
O: IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG
Bust draped and cuirassed right.
R: FIDES MILITVM PRINC IVVENTVTI
Fides standing front, head right, right foot on helmet, holding standard in each hand.2 commentsKoffy

C 284C Diocletian Follis. Exe: HT | (delta) Heraclea, AD 293. IMP C DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG, Laureate head right / CONCORDIA MILITVM, Jupiter presents Victory on a globe to Diocletian. HB between them. Mintmark dot XXI dot. _sold

http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/diocletian/RIC_0284C.3.jpgAntonivs Protti

Tetricus I, Mint II, reverse FIDES MILITVM

IMP C P ESV TETRIC[VS AVG], Radiate, cuirassed bust right
FIDES MILITVM, Fides standing left with two standardsAdrianus

Tetricus I, Mint II, reverse CONCORDIA MILITVM
IMP TE[TRIC]VS AVG, Radiate, cuirassed bust right
CONCORD[IA MI]LITVM, Concordia standing left with patera an cornucopia, standard behind
Normanby -
Weight 3.62g

A previously unknown issue which links typologically to Tetricus CONCORDIA AVG issues (Mint I) and FIDES MILITVM issues (Mint II) and Domitianus' CONCORDIA MILITVM type (Mint II).Adrianus

SEVERUS ALEXANDER
Denarius
19.3 mm, 3.1 grams

OBV: IMP SEV ALEXAND AVG, laureate head right
REV: VIRTVS AVG, Emperor in military dress, walking right, carrying spear and trophy.
RIC-IVb-225

Here is an example of a cabinet showing three different available styles of trays for storage. At the top is a standard round recess type tray....very traditional.

In the middle is an open format tray for displaying items "free form", or for items of unusual sizes/shapes such as large medals, military decorations or pocket watches.

On the bottom is a new offering; a drawer for slabs. Each drawer can hold 30 slabs from any of the three major slabbing firms; PCGS, NCG, or ANACS. Other commercial, or "DIY" slabs should also fit, provided they are no larger than any from the "big three" firms.

www.CabinetsByCraig.netcmcdon0923

Valentinian I AE3
Obverse: DN VALENTINIAN VS PF AVG, pearl diademed, cuirassed bust right.
Reverse: GLORIA ROMANORVM, Emperor in military dress advancing right, head left, holding labarum and dragging captive behind.
Right field- star over A
D Gamma SISC in ex. 18.8 mm., 1.8 g.NORMAN K

Postumus. Romano-Gallic Emperor, A.D. 260-269. BI antoninianus (20 mm, 3.04 g, 7 h). Treveri, A.D. 266. IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Postumus right / FIDES [E]XERCITVS, four military standards. RIC 303; Mairat 120; AGK 20; RSC 65. Quant.Geek

EDWARD IV
Edward IV was King of England from March 1461 to October 1470, and again from April 1471 until his sudden death in 1483. He was the first Yorkist King of England. The first half of his rule was marred by the violence associated with the Wars of the Roses, but he overcame the Lancastrian challenge to the throne at Tewkesbury in 1471 and there were no further rebellions in England during the rest of his reign.
In 1475, Edward declared war on France, landing at Calais in June. However, his ally Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, failed to provide any significant military assistance leading Edward to undertake negotiations with the French, with whom he came to terms under the Treaty of Picquigny. France provided him with an immediate payment of 75,000 crowns and a yearly pension of 50,000 crowns, thus allowing him to "recoup his finances". Edward also backed an attempt by Alexander Stewart, 1st Duke of Albany and brother of King James III of Scotland, to take the Scottish throne in 1482. Edward's younger brother, the Duke of Gloucester (and future King Richard III) led an invasion of Scotland that resulted in the capture of Edinburgh and the Scottish king himself. Alexander Stewart, however, reneged on his agreement with Edward. The Duke of Gloucester then withdrew from his position in Edinburgh, though he did retain Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Edward became subject to an increasing number of ailments when his health began to fail and he fell fatally ill at Easter in 1483. He survived long enough though to add some codicils to his will, the most important being to name his brother Richard, Duke of Gloucester as Protector after his death. He died on 9th April 1483 and was buried in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. He was succeeded first by his twelve-year-old son Edward V of England, who was never crowned, and then by his brother who reigned as Richard III.
It is not known what actually caused Edward's death. Pneumonia, typhoid and poison have all been conjectured, but some have attributed his death to an unhealthy lifestyle because he had become stout and inactive in the years before his death.*Alex

JAMES IV OF SCOTLAND
James IV was the King of Scotland from June 1488 until his death in battle at the age of 40 on the 9th September, 1513.
James IV's mother, Margaret of Denmark, was more popular than his father, James III, and though somewhat estranged from her husband she raised their sons at Stirling Castle until she died in 1486. Two years later, a rebellion broke out, where the rebels set up the 15-year-old Prince James as their nominal leader. The rebels fought James III at the Battle of Sauchieburn where, on 11th June 1488, the king was killed. Prince James assumed the throne as James IV and was crowned at Scone on 24th of June. However he continued to bear an intense guilt for the indirect role which he had played in the death of his father.
James maintained Scotland's traditional good relations with France, and this occasionally created diplomatic problems with England, but James recognised nonetheless that peace between Scotland and England was in the interest of both countries, and established good diplomatic relations with England as well. First he ratified the Treaty of Ayton in 1497, then, in 1502 James signed the Treaty of Perpetual Peace with Henry VII which was sealed by his marriage to Henry's daughter Margaret Tudor the next year. Anglo-Scottish relations generally remained stable until the death of Henry VII in 1509.
James saw the importance of building a fleet that could provide Scotland with a strong maritime presence, he founded two new dockyards and acquired a total of 38 ships for the Royal Scots Navy. These including the "Great Michael" which, built at great expense, was launched in 1511 and was at that time the largest ship in the world.
When war broke out between England and France, James found himself in a difficult position as an ally by treaty to both countries. But relations with England had worsened since the accession of Henry VIII, and when Henry invaded France, James reacted by declaring war on England.
James sent the Scottish navy, including the "Great Michael", to join the ships of Louis XII of France and, hoping to take advantage of Henry's absence at the siege of Thérouanne, he himself led an invading army southward into Northumberland. However, on 9th September 1513 at the disastrous Battle of Flodden James IV was killed, he was the last monarch in Great Britain to be killed in battle. His death, along with many of his nobles including his son the archbishop of St Andrews, was one of the worst military defeats in Scotland's history and the loss of such a large portion of the political community was a major blow to the realm. James IV's corpse was identified after the battle and taken to Berwick, where it was embalmed and placed in a lead coffin before being transported to London. Catherine of Aragon, wife of Henry VIII, sent the dead king's slashed, blood-stained surcoat to Henry, who was fighting in France, with the recommendation that he use it as a war banner.
James IV's son, James V, was crowned three weeks after the disaster at Flodden, but he was not yet two years old, and his minority was to be fraught with political upheaval.*Alex

Caracalla, RIC 311d, Date 213-217 AD, Silver Antoninianus Rome, VENVS VICTRIX (with Helmet)
Marcus Aurelius Severus Antoninus Caracalla
Antoninianus of the Roman Imperial Period 213/217 AD
Material: Silver
Diameter: 23mm
Weight: 5.19g
Mint: Rome
Reference: RIC IV Caracalla 311d var. (Rare, with Helmet)
Provenance: Ex Dr. Gernot Heinrich Collection

This ist the RIC 311d Version with Helmet under the shield. An fantastic Antoninianus with many details on obverse and reverse, fantastic Caracalla bust and a clear reverse Venus. Rare RIC, and more Rare in this condition.

Obverse:
You can see the right-facing bust of Caracalla with a radiant crown. The inscription reads: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM for Antoninus Pius Augustus Germanicus.

Reverse:
The goddess Venus can be seen standing to the left, leaning on a shield. In her left hand she holds a Victoriola, in her right hand a spear. Standing, she leans on her shield and helmet. The inscription reads: VENVS VICTRIX for Venus Victrix (the victorious Venus).

Comments:
In ancient Rome, Venus Victrix is the form of the goddess Venus as victor or „as the one who brings victory“. Especially Pompeius Magnus celebrated his military successes in their honor. This was probably inspired by the armed Aphrodite (nikephoros carrying victory) who protected the Acropolis in certain eastern regions of ancient Greece. In Rome, the victorious Venus was mainly in the third century BC increasingly invoked in the wars against Carthage. Iulius Caesar traced the descent of his family and thus his own from Venus (Venus Genitrix). Pompey, as his adversary, identified his glorious destiny with Venus Victrix in order to claim Venus‘ protection in the secret rivalry. After his victory in the war against Mithridates in 55 BC Pompeius celebrated his triumph „de orbi universo“ (over the whole world) and had a temple built for the victorious Venus, which unfortunately has not been preserved. The sanctuary of Venus Victrix stood on the Capitol, which was probably built during the war against the Samnites. Her feast days were August 12 and October 9, with an annual sacrifice being made on the latter date. At the same time, homage was also paid to Victoria, who closely connected the Romans with Venus Victrix.

Associating this type of coin directly with a specific historical event in the reign of Caracalla is difficult. This Antoninianus is between 213 and 217 AD dated. He could therefore retrospectively refer to the victories in the Germania campaign in 213 AD relate to the battles in Dacia against the Carps in 214 AD refer to or anticipate „the-victorious“ Venus Victrix to refer to the coming eastern campaign against the Parthians.1 commentspaul1888

1st Century CE, IRON AGE BRITAIN, Tribes: Catuvellauni and Trinovantes, AE Unit, Struck c.10 - 40 at Verlamion under CunobelinusObverse: CVNO - BELIN. Bare head facing left.
Reverse: TASCIO. Metal worker, wielding hammer, seated facing right.
Diameter: 15mm | Weight: 2.24gms | Axis: 3h
Spink: 342 | ABC: 2969 | Van Arsdell 2097

CUNOBELINUS
Cunobelinus was a king in Iron Age Britain from about 9 CE until about 40 CE. He is mentioned by the Roman historians Suetonius and Dio Cassius, and many coins bearing his inscription have been found. Cunobelinus controlled a substantial portion of south-eastern Britain, including the territories of the Catuvellauni and the Trinovantes, and is called “Britannorum rex" (King of the Britons) by Suetonius. He appears to have been recognized by the Roman emperor Augustus as a client king, shown by the use of the Latin title Rex on some of his coins.
Numismatic evidence appears to indicate that Cunobelinus took power around AD 9 after the death of his father Tasciovanus, minting coins from both Camulodunum, capital of the Trinovantes and Verlamion (Roman Verulamium), capital of the Catuvellauni. Some of the Verulamium coins name him as the son of Tasciovanus, a previous king of the Catuvellauni. Cunobelinus' earliest issues are, however, from Camulodunum, indicating that he took power there first, and some have a palm or laurel wreath design, a motif borrowed from the Romans indicating a military victory. It is possible that he was emboldened to act against the Trinovantes, whose independence was protected by a treaty they made with Julius Caesar in 54 BC, because problems in Germania severely affected Augustus' ability to defend allies in Britain.
Cunobelinus, however, appears to have maintained quite good relations with the Roman Empire, he used classical motifs on his coins and his reign also saw an increase in trade with the continent. Archaeological evidence shows an increase in imported luxury goods, including wine and drinking vessels from Italy, olive oil and “garum” (fish sauce) from Spain, as well as glassware, jewellery, and tableware from the wider continent, all of which, from their distribution, appear to have entered Britain via the port of Camulodunum. Rome's lucrative trade with Britain was also reported by Strabo, according to him the island's exports included grain, gold, silver, iron, hides, slaves and hunting dogs. It seems likely that Cunobelinus was one of the British kings, mentioned by Strabo, who sent embassies to Augustus.
Cunobelinus died about 40, probably within a year of that date, as he was certainly dead by 43.
Traditionally it has been suggested that the “Lexden Tumulus” on the outskirts of Colchester was Cunobelinus' tomb, but without evidence confirming that, it is also possible that the tomb was built for the earlier Trinovantian king, Addedomarus. Interestingly there is a second tumulus, though this one is not so well known, 665m to the northwest of the Lexden burial mound, on a grassy area in the middle of a modern housing estate. This tumulus, known as ‘The Mount’, probably dates from around the same time as the well-known one at Fitzwalter Road, Lexden.

CLICK ON MAP BELOW TO ENLARGE IT

1 comments*Alex

JUSTINIAN I, AE Half-Follis (20 Nummi), struck 548/549 at Antioch (Theoupolis)Obverse: D N IVSTINIANVS P P AVG. Helmeted and cuirassed facing bust of Justinian I holding globus cruciger in his right hand and shield in his left; cross in right field.
Reverse: Large K, cross above and mint-mark O/Π below. A/N/N/O in field to left of K and regnal year XXII in field to right
Diameter: 25mm | Weight: 7.8gms | Die Axis: 11
SBCV: 230 | DOC: 238.3

Much of Antioch was destroyed by a great earthquake on 29th November 528 and, following this disaster, the city was renamed Theoupolis.

548: On June 28th of this year, at the age of 48, the Empress Theodora died. Her body is buried in the Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople.
Also in this year Justinian I relieved Belisarius from military command in favour of the elderly Byzantine general Narses.
549: This year, after Belisarius had returned to Constantinople, the Ostrogoths under Totila besieged Rome for a third time. The Ostrogoths then conquered the city of Perugia in central Italy and stationed a Gothic garrison there.
549 was also the year that the last ever chariot races were held in the Circus Maximus in Rome.
*Alex

2 Augustus, PhilippiAUGUSTUS
Macedon, Philippi
AE 19mm (Semis)

VIC AVG, Nike standing left on globe, holding wreath and palm / COHOR PRAE PHIL, three military standards.

SNG ANS 677; SNG Copenhagen 305, BMC 23, SGI 32, RPC 1651 VF
RI0069Sosius

41 - 54, Claudius I, AE Dupondius, Irregular (barbarous) issue struck after 43AD in BritanniaObverse: Blundered legend. Bare head of Claudius I facing left.
Reverse: Blundered legend. Ceres, veiled, seated facing left, holding grain ears and long torch.
Diameter: 26mm | Weight: 9.5gms | Die Axis: 11h
SPINK: 745
Green Patina. Scarce. Found near Sleaford, Lincolnshire, UK

These irregular coins are associated with the Claudian invasion of Britain in 43AD. It appears likely that the authorities allowed them to be struck to augment the scanty supply of bronze from the central mint of Rome and the evidence available from museums and recorded in numismatic literature would seem to bear this out.
Although it is difficult to work out the proportion that these copies bear to the official issues on a national scale, it is quite evident that it is of a considerable size, about 20% on an average over the whole area in which Claudian coins are found, and in some localities well over 50%. When you consider that the actual area over which these coins are found exactly covers the areas of the first conquests, and there are no credible reasons for supposing them to be Gallic importations, the likelihood is that they were struck in Britain itself. Those barbarous examples found beyond the Fosse Way bear witness to the spread of the new coinage, and also to its continuance during the subsequent years of conquest..
The actual types found are equally strong evidence for the connection of these copies with the Claudian legions. Copies of Sestertii are rare, Dupondii less so, but the majority, about 70% of the Claudian copies found in England, are Asses.
Irregular issues of all the foregoing types are found in varying stages of degradation, ranging from coins which show all the detail, and much of the excellence of the official prototypes, down to rough unskilful productions of crude and barbarous style.
The majority of copies, particularly the good ones, have been found in or near the towns which were either administrative and/or military centres, such as Lincoln and Gloucester. This seems to indicate that the coining of irregular issues were, if not official, an acceptable method of supplementing the military funds to pay the troops during the conquest. The first generation copies, since they were intended for paying the soldiers, were fairly accurate in style and weight. In time though, once they had circulated through the tribal centres and the lands that lay between and behind the chief Roman military posts and been absorbed into currency, the copies would themselves be copied. These second-degree copies became proportionately less faithful to the originals and are extremely numerous at such tribal centres as Cirencester, Silchester, Winchester and Dorchester, which were civil, but not military, towns.*Alex

6 NeroNERO
AR Denarius (19mm, 3.43 g, 6h)
Rome mint. Struck ~65-66 AD

O: Laureate head right

R: Salus seated left on throne, holding patera.

RIC I 60; RSC 314. aVF

Ex-CNG Sale 35, Lot 737, 9/20/95

In AD 65-66 two new types appear on the coins of Nero, Jupiter Custos- “Guardian”, and Salus- “Well-Being” (of the emperor). Nero gave thanks for surviving the Pisonian Conspiracy, which got its name from G. Calpurnius Piso, a senator put forward as an alternative emperor by senior military officers and government officials who feared the increasingly erratic Nero. The plot was discovered, many prominent Romans were executed, and others, such as the philosopher Seneca, were forced to commit suicide. This delayed the emperor’s fate for a few years.

RI00431 commentsSosius

6.75 Revolt of VindexRevolt Against Nero, Gaius Iulius Vindex, Governor of Gallia Lugdunensis, c. Late 67 - May 68 A.D.

Struck by Gaius Iulius Vindex, the Roman governor of Gallia Lugdunensis, who rebelled against Nero's tax policy and declared allegiance to Galba, the governor of Hispania Tarraconensis, as the new emperor. Vindex was defeated and killed in battle near Vesontio (modern Besançon), but the military continued to support Galba. On 9 June 68, deserted by the Praetorian Guard, Nero stabbed himself in the throat.

Silver denarius, Unpublished, civil war restitution of Augustus, gF, porosity, marks, uncertain (Lugdunum?) mint, weight 3.167g, maximum diameter 19.0mm, die axis 180o, c. late 67 - May 68 A.D.; obverse CAESAR, bare head of Augustus right; reverse AVGVSTVS, young bull walking right, head turned facing; ex Roma Numismatics e-auction 6, lot 321; only two examples known to Forum

Purchased from FORVM2 commentsSosius

Claudius II Gothicus, RIC 110 Rome
September 268 - August or September 270 CE
antoninianus, RIC V 110, Rome mint, 3.2g, 20.1mm,
Obverse: IMP C CLAVDIVS AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust right.
Reverse: VIRTUS AUGUSTI, Virtus helmeted and wearing military gear stands left, waving a branch of laurel in right hand and holding a spear in the left hand, at his feet to the left is his shield. Episilon in right field.NORMAN K

Julian II RIC 100, Heraclea 355-360 CEObverse: DN IVLIA-NVS NOB C, bare-headed, cuirassed bust right.
Reverse: SPES REI-PVBLIC, emperor helmeted in military dress, standing left, holding globe and spear.
SMHD in ex. Heraclea mint. 17.4 mm., 1.8 g.NORMAN K

JUSTINIAN I, AE Decanummium (10 Nummi), struck 548/549 at CarthageObverse: D N IVSTINIANVS P P AG. Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Justinian I facing right.
Reverse: VICTORIA AG. Victory advancing facing holding wreath in right hand and globus cruciger in left, in exergue X with star either side. (The X indicates the mark of value, i.e. 10 Nummi).
Diameter: 20.7mm | Weight: 4.24gms | Die Axis: 9
SBCV: 271 | DOC: 304
SCARCE

548: On June 28th of this year, at the age of 48, the Empress Theodora died. Her body is buried in the Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople.
Also in this year Justinian I relieved Belisarius from military command in favour of the elderly Byzantine general Narses.
549: This year, after Belisarius had returned to Constantinople, the Ostrogoths under Totila besieged Rome for a third time. The Ostrogoths then conquered the city of Perugia in central Italy and stationed a Gothic garrison there.
549 was the year that the last ever chariot races were held in the Circus Maximus in Rome.
*Alex

Louis XIII and Anne d'Autriche. AE (Brass) Jeton struck c.1615 - 1616Obverse: LVDO•XIII D G FR•ET•NA•ANNA•AVSTR•HISPAN. Crowned jugate busts of Louis XIII and Anne facing right, both wearing ruffs.
Reverse: Crown and two branches above two hearts, between which are the scrolled words CARITAS / *SPES* / *FIDES* in three lines above * L * - * A * (for Louis and Anne) either side of facing eagle. Below, scroll bearing the words •HANS•LAVFER•; in exergue H – L (for Hans Laufer) either side of floral device.

Struck at Nuremburg, Germany
Die engraver: Hans Laufer
Dimensions: 27.1mm | Weight: 3.87gms | Die Axis: 12
Ref. M: 3714 | Feuardent: 12329

Hans Laufer became Guild master at Nuremburg in 1611, though he had been responsible for issuing jetons from 1607. He died in 1632.

Louis XIII became king of France and Navarre in 1610, shortly before his ninth birthday, after his father Henry IV was assassinated. He ruled France until he died of Tuberculosis in 1643. Anne was betrothed to him at the age of eleven and, on 24th November 1615, they were married by proxy in Burgos. The marriage following the tradition of cementing military and political alliances between France and Spain that had begun with the marriage of Philip II of Spain to Elisabeth of Valois in 1559 as part of the Peace of Cateau-Cambrésis. Anne and Louis, both fourteen years old, were pressured to consummate their marriage in order to forestall any possibility of future annulment, but this was ignored and Louis' mother, Marie de Medici, continued to conduct herself as Queen of France, without showing any deference to her daughter-in-law. However, in 1617, Louis conspired with Charles d'Albert, Duke of Luynes, to dispense with his mother's influence and she was ousted in a palace coup d'état which also saw her favourite, Concino Concini, assassinated. Louis turned now to Cardinal Richelieu as his advisor but Anne was opposed to Richelieu and became embroiled in several intrigues against him. This inevitably created tension between Louis and Anne. But despite this, and after having endured several stillbirths, in 1638 Anne finally gave birth to a son, the future Louis XIV, and the Bourbon line was further secured when in 1640 she gave birth to a second son, Philippe. *Alex

Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, 64 – 12 BCECopper as, RIC Caligula 58, BMC II 161, SRCV I 556, Rome mint, 10.2 g, 27.6 mm diam.
Obverse - M AGRIPPA L F COS II. Head left wearing a rostral crown.
Reverse - S - C . Neptune standing left, dolphin in right, trident vertical behind in left. Counter mark above left.
Military commander, Friend of Augustus, Grandfather of Caligula, Great-grandfather of Nero.
Sold 5-2018NORMAN K

Valentinian I, RIC VII 5a Siscia, 364-376 CEValentinian I AE3
Obverse: DN VALENTINIAN VS PF AVG, pearl diademed, cuirassed bust right.
Reverse: GLORIA ROMANORVM, Emperor in military dress advancing right, head left, holding labarum and dragging captive behind.
Right field- star over A
D Gamma SISC in ex. 18.8 mm., 1.8 g.NORMAN K

1 Gordian IIIGordian III
Ant 4.1g

Obverse: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, radiate, draped & cuirassed bust right.

Reverse: PM TR P III COS II PP, Gordian in military dress, standing right with spear & globe.

RIC IV-3 91; Cohen 242; Sear (5) 8644Sosius

1 Gordian IIIGORDIAN III
AR Antonianus, Rome Mint
240 AD

O: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right

R: VIRTVS AVG, Virtus standing front, head left, in military dress, holding branch and spear, shield resting against right foot

RIC IV-3 71; Cohen 388; Sear (5) 8669Sosius

1 Gordian IIIGORDIAN III
AR Antonianus, Rome Mint
240 AD

O: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right

R: VIRTVS AVG, Virtus standing front, head left, in military dress, holding branch and inverted spear, shield resting against right foot

RIC IV-3 71 (var. due to inverted spear?); Cohen 388; Sear (5) 8669Sosius

1 Gordian IIIGordian III
AE Sestertius, Rome Mint
240 AD

O: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, bust r.

R: PM TR P III COS II PP SC, Emperor standing right in military dress, holding transverse spear and globe

RIC IV-3, 305 Sosius

1 Gordian IIIGORDIAN III
AR Antonianus, Rome Mint
241-243 AD

O: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG

R: PM TR P III COS II PP, Emperor standing right in military dress, holding transverse spear and globe

RIC IV-3 91; Cohen 242; Sear (5) 8644Sosius

143 - Carausius - Antoninianus - RIC V Pt 2, 205Obv:- IMP CARAVSIVS P F AVG, Radiate draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev:- CONCORDIA MILITV,, Emperor and Concordia standing facing each other clasping hands
Minted in Camulodonum, //C
Reference:- RIC V Pt 2, 205

3/42 gms, 23.16 mm. 180 degrees1 commentsmaridvnvm

177 - 192, COMMODUS, AE Sestertius, Struck 185 at Rome, alluding to BritanniaObverse: M COMMODVS ANTON AVG PIVS BRIT, laureate head of Commodus facing right.
Reverse: P M TR P X IMP VII COS IIII P P. Draped figure of Victory, seated on pile of shields, facing right, holding a long stylus in her right hand and supporting a shield on her left knee with her left hand; S – C in field; VICT BRIT in exergue.
Diameter: 29.5mm | Weight: 20.12gms | Die Axis: 12h
RIC III: 452 | SRCV: 5826 | Cohen: 946 | BMCRE: 560 | SPINK: 648
SCARCE

This sestertius has a historically important reverse type which refers to Commodus' significant military campaign in Northern Britain.

COMMODUS
Between 180 AD and 184 AD, the Romans were once again at war with the northern tribes in Britain. According to Cassius Dio, “the tribes in that island, crossing the wall that separated them from the Roman legions, proceeded to do much mischief and cut down a general together with his troops”. Though Dio does not make it clear to us today which wall he was writing about, his Roman audience would have known. However, that said, since Southern Scotland was still occupied by the Romans at this time and the Maetae, one of the main tribes involved in the incursion, occupied a hill fort (called Myot Hill today) a few miles north of Antonine's Wall, the wall that seems to best fit his description of separating the tribes from the Roman legions would be the Antonine Wall rather than that of Hadrian. This was the most serious war of Commodus’ reign and when the war was won, Commodus minted coins to celebrate the victory. He also took on the title “Britannicus”, and all his coins after this date feature “Brit” in the legend.

CLICK ON THE IMAGE OF COMMODUS BELOW TO ENLARGE IT

*Alex

205Carausius 287-93AD
Antoninianus
Obv “IMP CARAVSIVS PF AVG”
Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev “CONCORDIA MILITV”
Emperor and Concordia standing facing each other clasping hands
Camulodunum mint
-/-//C
RIC 205mauseus

209cfCarausius 287-93AD
Antoninianus
Obv "IMP CARAVSIVS PF AVG"
Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev "CONCOR[D(?) MILIT]"
Clasped hands
Camulodunum mint
-/-//MC
RIC - (cf 209-10) mauseus

210Carausius 287-93AD
Antoninianus
Obv "IMP CARAVSIVS P AVG"
Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev "CONCOR MILIT"
Clasped hands
Camulodunum mint
-/-//C
RIC 210mauseus

226Carausius 287-93AD
Antoninianus
Obv "IMP CARAVSIVS PF AVG"
Radiate, draped & cuirassed bust right
Rev "FIDES MILITVM"
Fides standing left holding two standards
Camulodunum mint
-/-//C
RIC 226
Ex Vogelaar collection1 commentsmauseus

229Carausius 287-93AD
Antoninianus
Obv "IMP C CARAVSIVS AVG"
Radiate, draped & cuirassed bust right
Rev "FIDES MILITV"
Four standards
Camulodunum mint
-/-//SPC
RIC 229mauseus

3.1 SeverinaSeverina
AE Antoninianus. Siscia mint
SEVERINAE AVG, diademed draped bust right on crescent / CONCORDIAE MILITVM, Concordia standing with two standards.
Cohen 8. RIC 13 SisciaSosius

31 Maximinus I Thrax, 20 March 235 - Late May 238 A.D.Orichalcum sestertius, RIC IV 43, Cohen 10, VF, 23.158g, 32.3mm, 30o, Rome mint, 235 A.D.; obverse IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, from behind; reverse FIDES MILITVM S C, Fides standing half-left, military standard in each hand; well centered, nice patina, flan crack, typical squared flan

Purchased from FORVM 1 commentsSosius

4 TacitusTACITUS
AR Antoninianus
IMP C M CL TACITVS AVG, radiate head right / FIDES MILITVM Fides standing, head right, holding standard in each hand, XXIS in ex.
RIC 87 (radiate head). F/aVFSosius

449cfCarausius 287-93AD
Antoninianus
Obv "IMP C CARAVSIVS PF AVG"
Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev "FIDES MILIT"
Fides standing left holding two standards
Uncertain mint
S/C//
RIC - (cf 449)mauseus

5 FlorianFLORIAN Jun-Aug 276 A.D.
AE Antoninianus. Cyzicus mint.
IMP FLORIANVS AVG, radiate, draped & cuirassed bust right / CONCORDIA MILITVM, Victory presenting wreath to Florian standing left, V in ex.
Cohen 15. RIC 116v.; S-11853
Good VFSosius

571bisCarausius 287-93AD
"Denarius"
Obv "[IM]P CARAVSIVS PF AVG"
Laureate, draped & cuirassed bust right
Rev "[P]RINC IVVE[NT]"
Carausius standinding left holding two standards
London mint?
-/-/RSR
RIC -
Sam Moorhead thinks this coin reads FIDES MILITVM. I have to confess that I agree with himmauseus

599Antoninianus
Rome
Issue 9
FIDES MILITVM
G 599mauseus

599Denarius
Rome
Issue 9
FIDES MILITVM
G 599bbmauseus

6 ProbusPROBUS
Antoninianus, Rome Mint
PROBVS PF AVG, Radiate bust right / FIDES MILITVM, Fides standing left holding standards, R thunderbolt epsilon in ex.
RIC V-2 Rome 170Sosius

600Antoninianus
Rome
Issue 9
FIDES MILITVM
G 600mauseus

604cfCarausius 287-93AD
Antoninianus
Obv "IMP CARAVSIVS P AV"
Radiate, draped & cuirassed bust right
Rev "CONCORD MILIT"
Clasped Hands
London mint?
-/-//RSR
RIC - (cf 604)mauseus

634cfCarausius 287-93AD
Antoninianus
Obv "IMP C CARAVSIVS IVG"
Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev "CONCORD MILIT"
Emperor clasping hands with Concordia
Rotomagus mint
RIC - (cf 634); Beaujard & Huvelin -mauseus

68AE sestertius
Trier Mint
IMP C POSTVMVS PF AVG
Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right
FIDES MILITVM SC
Fides standing left with two standards
Bastien 68mauseus

69Allectus 293-6
Antoninianus
IMP C ALLECTVS PF AVG
Radiate & cuirassed bust right
FIDES MILITVM
Fides standing left holding two standards
Camulodunum mint
S/P//C
RIC 69
mauseus

69Allectus 293-6
Antoninianus
IMP C ALLECTVS PF AVG
Radiate & cuirassed bust right
FIDES MILITVM
Fides standing left holding two standards
Camulodunum mint
S/P//C
RIC 69mauseus

69cfAllectus 293-6
Antoninianus
IMP C ALLECTVS PF I AVG
Radiate & cuirassed bust right
FIDES MILITVM
Fides standing left holding two standards
Camulodunum mint
S/A//C
RIC - (cf69ff)
mauseus

7 MaxentiusMAXENTIUS
AE Follis (24-27 mm, 5.96 g)
Aquileia Mint, late Summer 307.

O: IMP C MAXENTIVS P F AVG, Laureate head right.

R: CONSERV VRB SVAE, Roma seated l. on shield in tetrastyle temple, r. handing globe to Maxentius (in military dress, stading r.), l. hand holding sceptre; seated captive between;

Victories as acroteria; she-wolf and twins in pediment; AQP in ex.

RIC VI Aquileia 113.

Dark patina. Extremely fine.

Ex Auctiones GmbH
3 commentsSosius

7 MaxentiusMaxentius. A.D. 306-312. Æ Follis (24.5 mm, 5.69 g, 6 h). Ostia, A.D. 309-312. IMP C MAXENTIVS PF AVG, laureate head right / FIDES MILITVM AVG N, Fides standing left, holding standard in each hand: MOSTS in exergue. RIC 45. Good VF, brown patina.
Ex Agora Auctions - Nov 2013Sosius

70 AD: Vespasian - Defeat of the Jewish revolt and fall of JerusalemSestertius (28.6g, 37mm, 6h). Roman mint. Struck AD 71.
IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG PM TR P P COS III laureate head right
IVDAEA CAPTA / S C [in ex.] Judaea seated, in attidue of sorrow, at the foot of a palm tree; behind Vespasian standing in military dress holding spear and parazonium; left foot on a helmet.
RIC 427 (scarce); BMC 543; Cohen 2391 commentsCharles S

72AE sestertius
Trier Mint
IMP C POSTVMVS PIVS F AVG
Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right
FIDES MILITVM
Fides standing left with two standards
Bastien 72mauseus

75AE double sestertius
Trier Mint
IMP C M CASS LAT POSTVMVS PIVS F AVG
Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
FIDES MILITVM
Fides standing left with two standards
Bastien 75 (obv. die duplicate)mauseus

755cfCarausius 287-93AD
AE antoninianus
Obv "[IMP CARAVS]IVS PF AV"
Radiate, draped & cuirassed bust right
Rev "CONCORD [MILITV]M
Concordia seated left holding patera and cornucopia
Unmarked mint
RIC - (cf 755)
Obverse and reverse legends confirmed from a second specimen from the same dies in my photo file mauseus

755cfCarausius 287-93AD
AE antoninianus
Obv "IMP CARAVSIVS PF AVG"
Radiate, draped & cuirassed bust right
Rev "CONCORD MILIT"
Concordia seated left holding patera and cornucopia
Unmarked mint
RIC - (cf 755)mauseus

761Carausius 287-93 AD
Antoninianus
Obv "IMP CARAVSIVS PF AVG"
Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev "CONCORDIA MILITV"
Concordia and Carausius standing clasping hands
Unmarked mint
RIC 761
Ex Vogelaar collectionmauseus

762Carausius 287-93 AD
Antoninianus
Obv "IMP C M CA[RAVSIVS] AVG"
Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev "CONCORD[IA MILITVM]"
Concordia and Carausius standing clasping hands
Unmarked mint
RIC 762mauseus

783Carausius 287-93 AD
Antoninianus
Obv “IMP CARAVSIVS PF AVG”
Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev “FIDES MILITVM”
Fides standing left with two standards
Unmarked Mint
RIC 783
mauseus

783Carausius 287-93 AD
Antoninianus
Obv “IMP CARAVSIVS PF AVG”
Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev “FIDES MILITVM”
Fides standing left with two standards
Unmarked Mint
RIC 783mauseus

96Nerva 96-8 AD
AE dupondius
Obv "IMP NERVA CAES AVG PM TRP COS II PP"
Radiate bust right
Rev "CONCORDIA MILITVM SC"
Clasped hands, standard behind
Rome mint
mauseus

Carinus, RIC V 251 RomeCarinus AE Antoninianus .
Obverse: IMP C M AVR CARINVS PF AVG, radiate, draped &cuirassed bust right.
Reverse: FIDES MILITVM, Fides standing left, flanked by a standard in each haand.
KAE in ex. Rome mint, 23 mm., 2.6 g.NORMAN K

CONCORDIA MILITVM, Thessalonica; RIC VIII 167Constantius Gallus, Caesar, AE Centenionalis. Thessalonica Mint, 23mm; FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB CAES, bare-headed & cuirassed bust right / CONCORDIA MILITVM, Gallus standing facing, head left, holding two labara, each bearing a Chi-Rho; G-//*TSE*. LRBC 1667. Thessalonica. RIC VIII 167.Podiceps

Constantine I, RIC VII 124 TicinumObverse: IMP CONSTANTINVS PF AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust right.
Reverse: MARTI CONSERVATORI, Mars in military dress standing right with spear in hand with point on ground and his left hand on shield set on the ground, cloak across right shoulder. .
19. mm., 2.5 g. Mintmark: S dot T Ticinum mint.
NORMAN K

Diocletian RIC 13b, Heraclea, 300-301 CE.Diocletian AE 20 post reform radiate
Obverse: IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, radiate head right.
Reverse: CONCORDIA MILI-TVM, Diocletian standing right in military dress, holding parazonium, receiving Victory on a globe from Jupiter who is leaning on sceptre. HB in lower center.
23.2 mm., 4.0 gNORMAN K

Honorius-Constantinople RIC 61AE3, Constantinople mint, 395-401 AD
Obverse: DN HONORIVS PF AVG, Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Reverse: VIRTVS EXERCITI, Emperor standing facing in military uniform, being crowned from behind by Victory.
CONSA in exergue
RIC 61
16mm, 2.7gms.
Jerome Holderman

JUSTINIAN I, AE Pentanummium (5 Nummi), struck 527 – 565 at ChersonObverse: D N IVSTINIANVS P P AG. Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Justinian I facing right.
Reverse: Monogram of Cherson within wreath or foliated circle. (SBCV Monogram 1)

Diameter: 16mm | Weight: 1.8gms | Die Axis: 6
SBCV: 197 | DOC: 108.2

Cherson (in Greek it was spelt with a Chi) was a Byzantine military trading site located in the southern Crimea, centred at Chersonesus Taurica. Ancient Cherson was located near where Sevastopol is now, on the peninsula projecting into the north side of the Black Sea, but parts of the ruins of the city are now under water. Ancient Cherson was destroyed by the Mongols/Tartars in the 13th century and should not be confused with the modern city of Cherson which was not founded until 1779.
1 comments*Alex

Mark Antony and LepidusThe Triumvirs. Mark Antony and Lepidus, 43 B.C. AR quinarius
Military mint traveling with Antony and Lepidus in Transalpine Gaul, 43 B.C.
O: M ANT IMP, emblems of the augurate: lituus, capis, and raven standing left.
R: LEP IMP, emblems of the pontificate: simpulum, aspergillum, securis, and apex.
-Crawford 489/3; CRI 120; Sydenham 1158a; RSC 3.4 commentsNemonater

'Alea iacta est' - Crossing the Rubicon (49 BC)Julius Caesar AR Denarius, military mint traveling with Caesar, April-August 49 BC.

Obv: Elephant advancing r., trampling on horned serpent; CAESAR in exergue
Rev: Emblems of the pontificate: simpulum, aspergillum, securis, and apex

This coin was issued after Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon river and march into Rome, which formally began the Civil war of the Roman Republic.YuenTsin C

Diocletian CONCORDIA MILITVM.20 mm 2.59 grams

Diocletian, 20 November 284 - 1 May 305 A.D.
CONCORDIA MILITVM.Niclas E

ROME
PB Tessera (18mm, 3.06 g, 12 h)
Isis standing left, holding sistrum and situla
IVE/NES
Rostovtsev -

The iuvenes were Roman educational organizations roughly analagous to modern American colleges. Mohler1 argues that, while their athletic program undoubtedly focused on parade and various other activities that relate to war, the group focused equally on education and athletics, rather than as a pseudo-military training program. Inscriptions survive in some theaters and arenas that note reserved seats for iuvenes, leading some to identify these pieces as entrance tickets. I feel they were more likely distributed at the various parades and processions for which the organizations were famous.

The iuvenes tokens are related to those of the sodales, composed of individuals not a part of the organization (younger or older men and women) who still actively supported it.

1. Mohler, S. L. (1937). The Iuvenes and Roman Education. Transactions and Proceedings of the American Philological Society, 68, 442–479.Ardatirion

UNITED STATES, Political campaign tokens. William Henry Harrison. President, March 4-April 4 1841.
Æ Political Medallet (23mm, 4.22 g, 12 h)
Belleville (New Jersey) mint. Dually dated 9 February 1773 and 1841
MAJ. GEN. W. H. HARRISON/ * BORN FEB. 9. 1773*
Bust of William Henry Harrison left in military uniform
STEAM BOAT VAN BUREN/ FOR SALT RIVER DIRECT.
Early steamboat sailing right with banner inscribed 1841; LOCO-FOCO/ LINE below. '
With attached contemporary ribbon.
Rulau HT 817; Low -Ardatirion

Dy.262 Philip VI (of Valois): Gros à la couronne, 1st emissionPhilip VI, king of France (1328-1350)
Gros à la couronne, 1st emission (01/01/1337)

Silver (851 ‰), 2.51 g, diameter 25 mm, die axis 5h
O: inner circle: (ringlet)PhI-LIP-PVS-REX; legend interrupted by a cross pattée; outer circle: BnDICTV⋮SIT⋮nOmÐ„⋮DNIâ‹®nRI⋮DÐ„I
R: inner circle: +FRANCORVm; châtel tournois under a crown, with 3 bullets inside; outer circle: a circlet of 11 fleur-de-lis

Philip VI is the first non direct capetian king. He was the cousin of the 3 previous kings.
The Gros tournois hadn't changed since its creation by Saint Louis. During Philip VI's reign, 3 new types of Gros were struck, with lighter weight and less silver. These monetary difficulties may be related to the premisses of the One Hundred Years' war and French military defeats.

The 3 bullets in the chatel (without any star below) are characteristic of the 1st emission.

RIC.54 Postumus: antoninianus (PM TR P COS II PP)Postumus, Gallic emperor (usurper) (260-269)
Antoninianus: PM TR P COIS II PP (1st emission, 3rd phase, 261, Trèves)

Billon (200 ‰), 3.13 g, diameter 23 mm, die axis 6h

A/ IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG; radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
R/ PM TR P CO-S II PP; Emperor in military attire, standing left, holding spear and tropy

EG.19

D.1041 Louis III (denier, Tours)Louis III, king of the Franks (879-882)
Denier (Tours)

Silver, 1.78 g, 19 mm diameter, die axis 12h

O/ +IIISIRICORDIÎ› DI REX; Louis' monogram (legend beginning at 3h)
R/ +HTVRâ—ŠNES CIVITAS; croix pattée

Louis III became king of West Francia at 16 after his father Louis II died quite young. As he was the only living son of Charles II, Louis II had inherited the full kingdom of West Francia from his father. At opposite, when Louis II died, his sons Louis III and Carloman II divided the kingdom into a northern part for Louis III and a southern part for his brother Carloman II. During his reign, Louis III (in alliance with his brother) achieved military successes, especially against Vikings. However, Louis III's reign didn't last long. Louis III died inadvertently at 19 while chasing a girl on his horse. He hit violently the lintel of a door with his head.
Louis III's coinage is hard to distinguish from Louis II's. Both bear the same name et both reigns were very short. Three kinds of coins can be found:
* coins with legend LVDOVICS REX and a KRLS monogram : these coins have been found for northern and southern mints and are consequently given for Louis II;
* coins with a LVDOVICVS monogram ; they have only been found for the northern mints, and are consequently supposed to be Louis III's;
* coins of Toulouse with LV/DO, imitating the ones of Charles emperor with CA/RL. The attribution to Louis II seems to be straightforward due to the southern position.
The legend of the coin is different from the traditional Gratia di Rex, but still shows a religious origin. However its success remained very limited, with some scare coins of Louis III and Eudes. 3 comments

RIC.61? Honorius (AE3, Virtus Exerciti)Honorius, western roman emperor (393-423)
Nummus AE3 : Virtus exerciti (395-401, Constantinople mint)

bronze, 18 mm diameter, 2,31 g, die axis: 12 h

A/ D N HONORI-VS P F AVG; pearl diademed, draped & cuirassed bust right
R/ VIRTVS-EXERCITI/CONSΓ in exergue; Emperor standing facing in military uniform, being crowned by Victory

GERMANY, Kriegsgeld. Uncertain. Kantine Schürmeyer.
ZN 50 Pfennigen Token (23mm, 3.30 g, 1h)
"Kantine/ (rosette)/ Schürmeyer"
Large 50
Menzel 16660.1; TC 208156

Not properly a "kriesgeld," but possibly a token with military connections, perhaps for an officer's mess. Listed as a 'maverick' in Menzel.Ardatirion

"As de Nîmes" or "crocodile" Ӕ dupondius of Nemausus (9 - 3 BC), honoring Augustus and AgrippaIMP DIVI F , Heads of Agrippa (left) and Augustus (right) back to back, Agrippa wearing rostral crown and Augustus the oak-wreath / COL NEM, crocodile right chained to palm-shoot with short dense fronds and tip right; two short palm offshoots left and right below, above on left a wreath with two long ties streaming right.

Ó”, 24.5 x 3+ mm, 13.23g, die axis 3h; on both sides there are remains of what appears to be gold plating, perhaps it was a votive offering? Rough edges and slight scrapes on flan typical for this kind of coin, due to primitive technology (filing) of flan preparation.

IMPerator DIVI Filius. Mint of COLonia NEMausus (currently Nîmes, France). Known as "As de Nîmes", it is actually a dupontius (lit. "two-pounder") = 2 ases (sometimes cut in halves to get change). Dupondii were often made out of a golden-colored copper alloy (type of brass) "orichalcum" and this appears to be such case.

Key ID points: oak-wreath (microphotography shows that at least one leaf has a complicated shape, although distinguishing oak from laurel is very difficult) – earlier versions have Augustus bareheaded, no PP on obverse as in later versions, no NE ligature, palm with short fronds with tip right (later versions have tip left and sometimes long fronds). Not typical: no clear laurel wreath together with the rostral crown, gold (?) plating (!), both features really baffling.

But still clearly a "middle" kind of the croc dupondius, known as "type III": RIC I 158, RPC I 524, Sear 1730. It is often conservatively dated to 10 BC - 10 AD, but these days it is usually narrowed to 9/8 - 3 BC.

It is a commemorative issue, honoring the victory over Mark Antony and conquest of Egypt in 30 BC. The heads of Augustus and Agrippa were probably positioned to remind familiar obverses of Roman republican coins with two-faced Janus. Palm branch was a common symbol of victory, in this case grown into a tree, like the victories of Augustus and Agrippa grown into the empire. The two offshoots at the bottom may mean two sons of Agrippa, Gaius and Lucius, who were supposed to be Augustus' heirs and were patrons of the colony. Palm may also be a symbol of the local Nemausian deity, which was probably worshiped in a sacred grove. When these coins were minted, the colony was mostly populated by the settled veterans of Augustus' campaigns, hence the reminiscence of the most famous victory, but some of the original Celtic culture probably survived and was assimilated by Romans. The crocodile is not only the symbol of Egypt, like in the famous Octavian's coins AEGYPTO CAPTA. It is also a representation of Mark Antony, powerful and scary both in water and on land, but a bit slow and stupid. The shape of the crocodile with tail up was specifically chosen to remind of the shape of ship on very common "legionary" denarius series, which Mark Antony minted to pay his armies just before Actium. It is probably also related to the popular contemporary caricature of Cleopatra, riding on and simultaneously copulating with a crocodile, holding a palm branch in her hand as if in triumph. There the crocodile also symbolized Mark Antony.

Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa was born c. 64-62 BC somewhere in rural Italy. His family was of humble and plebeian origins, but rich, of equestrian rank. Agrippa was about the same age as Octavian, and the two were educated together and became close friends. He probably first served in Caesar's Spanish campaign of 46–45 BC. Caesar regarded him highly enough to send him with Octavius in 45 BC to train in Illyria. When Octavian returned to Rome after Caesar's assassination, Agrippa became his close lieutenant, performing many tasks. He probably started his political career in 43 BC as a tribune of the people and then a member of the Senate. Then he was one of the leading Octavian's generals, finally becoming THE leading general and admiral in the civil wars of the subsequent years.

In 38 as a governor of Transalpine Gaul Agrippa undertook an expedition to Germania, thus becoming the first Roman general since Julius Caesar to cross the Rhine. During this foray he helped the Germanic tribe of Ubii (who previously allied themselves with Caesar in 55 BC) to resettle on the west bank of the Rhine. A shrine was dedicated there, possibly to Divus Caesar whom Ubii fondly remembered, and the village became known as Ara Ubiorum, "Altar of Ubians". This quickly would become an important Roman settlement. Agrippina the Younger, Agrippa's granddaughter, wife of Emperor Claudius and mother of Emperor Nero, would be born there in 15 AD. In 50 AD she would sponsor this village to be upgraded to a colonia, and it would be renamed Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium (colony of Claudius [at] the Altar of Agrippinians – Ubii renamed themselves as Agrippinians to honor the augusta!), abbreviated as CCAA, later to become the capital of new Roman province, Germania Inferior.

In 37 BC Octavian recalled Agrippa back to Rome and arranged for him to win the consular elections, he desperately needed help in naval warfare with Sextus Pompey, the youngest son of Pompey the Great, who styled himself as the last supporter of the republican cause, but in reality became a pirate king, an irony since his father was the one who virtually exterminated piracy in all the Roman waters. He forced humiliating armistice on the triumvirs in 39 BC and when Octavian renewed the hostilities a year later, defeated him in a decisive naval battle of Messina. New fleet had to be built and trained, and Agrippa was the man for the job. Agrippa's solution was creating a huge secret naval base he called Portus Iulius by connecting together lakes Avernus, Avernus and the natural inner and outer harbors behind Cape Misenum at the northern end of the Gulf of Naples. He also created a larger type of ship and developed a new naval weapon: harpax – a ballista-launched grapnel shot with mechanisms that allowed pulling enemy ships close for easy boarding. It replaced the previous boarding device that Romans used since the First Punic War, corvus – effective, but extremely cumbersome. A later defence against it were scythe blades on long poles for cutting ropes, but since this invention was developed in secret, the enemy had no chance to prepare anything like it. It all has proved extremely effective: in a series of naval engagements Agrippa annihilated the fleet of Sextus, forced him to abandon his bases and run away. For this Agrippa was awarded an unprecedented honour that no Roman before or after him received: a rostral crown, "corona rostrata", a wreath decorated in front by a prow and beak of a ship.

That's why Virgil (Aeneid VIII, 683-684), describing Agrippa at Actium, says: "…belli insigne superbum, tempora navali fulgent rostrata corona." "…the proud military decoration, gleams on his brow the naval rostral crown". Actium, the decisive battle between forces of Octavian and Mark Antony, may appear boring compared to the war with Sextus, but it probably turned out this way due to Agrippa's victories in preliminary naval engagements and taking over all the strategy from Octavian.

In between the wars Agrippa has shown an unusual talent in city planning, not only constructing many new public buildings etc., but also greatly improving Rome's sanitation by doing a complete overhaul of all the aqueducts and sewers. Typically, it was Augustus who later would boast that "he had found the city of brick but left it of marble", forgetting that, just like in his naval successes, it was Agrippa who did most of the work. Agrippa had building programs in other Roman cities as well, a magnificent temple (currently known as Maison Carrée) survives in Nîmes itself, which was probably built by Agrippa.

Later relationship between Augustus and Agrippa seemed colder for a while, Agrippa seemed to even go into "exile", but modern historians agree that it was just a ploy: Augustus wanted others to think that Agrippa was his "rival" while in truth he was keeping a significant army far away from Rome, ready to come to the rescue in case Augustus' political machinations fail. It is confirmed by the fact that later Agrippa was recalled and given authority almost equal to Augustus himself, not to mention that he married Augustus' only biological child. The last years of Agrippa's life were spent governing the eastern provinces, were he won respect even of the Jews. He also restored Crimea to Roman Empire. His last service was starting the conquest of the upper Danube, were later the province of Pannonia would be. He suddenly died of illness in 12 BC, aged ~51.

Agrippa had several children through his three marriages. Through some of his children, Agrippa would become ancestor to many subsequent members of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. He has numerous other legacies.Yurii P

(0161) LUCIUS VERUS161 - 169 AD
AE 22.5 mm 3.84 g
O: IMP CAES L AVREL VERVS AVG, laureate head right
R: PROFECTIO AVG TR P III [COS II], Lucius Verus in military dress on horseback right, holding spear in right
Rome RIC III 1356; rare
laney

(0177) Commodus (Concordia Militum)177 - 192 AD
Struck 185 AD
Sestertius 28mm 20.51 g
OBV: Laur Head R
REV: 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

(0177) COMMODUS--ANCHIALOS(0177) COMMODUS--ANCHIALOS
177 - 192 AD
struck ca. 191 - 192 AD, issued by Caecilius Servilianus, Legatus Augusti pro praetore provinciae Thraciae
Æ 29.5 mm; 6.90 g
O: ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ Λ ΑΥΡ - ΚΟΜΟΔΟC , laureate-headed bust of Commodus wearing cuirass and paludamentum, facing right; two countermarks in ovals: helmeted head of Athena, and DX
R: ΗΓ ΚΑΙ CΕΡΟΥΙΛΙΑΝΟΥ ΑΓΧΙΑΛΕΩΝ , emperor (Commodus) on horseback, r., wearing military dress, holding spear.
Thrace, Anchialos
Ref. cf AMNG 441, pl. VI. 16 (rev.) ; RPC online coin type temporary № 4532 (2 pieces listed) but described as "galloping" ; Moushmov 2799; rare1 commentslaney

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