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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Roman Coins| ▸ |The Twelve Caesars||View Options:   | | | |
This type was the first portrait sestertius struck at the mint of Rome. The wreath on the reverse is the corona civica, the oak wreath awarded to Roman citizens ex senatus consulto (by special decree of the Senate) for saving the life of another citizen by slaying an enemy in battle. It became a prerogative for Roman emperors to be awarded the Civic Crown, originating with Augustus, who was awarded it in 27 B.C. for saving the lives of citizens by ending the series of civil wars.
SH94041. Orichalcum sestertius, RIC I 37, BMCRE I 38, Cohen I 24, BnF II 50, Hunter I 15, SRCV I -, Choice VF, well centered, attractive style, dark reddish brown patina, highest point of bust a little weakly struck, weight 28.089 g, maximum diameter 35.4 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 37 - 38 A.D.; obverse C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT, laureate head left; reverse S P Q R / P P / OB CIVES / SERVATOS (from the Senate and people of Rome to the father of the country for saving the citizens) in four lines within Corona Civica oak wreath; ex Nomos Obolos auction 9 (25 March 2018), 160; ex Stoecklin Collection (Amriswil, Switzerland, acquired prior to 1975, see The Story of the Stoecklin Collection); 
Augustus, 16 January 27 B.C. - 19 August 14 A.D.
Honos was the Roman god personifying honor. He was closely associated with Virtus, the goddess of manliness, or bravery, and the two are frequently depicted together. Honos is typically shown wearing a wreath of bay leaves, while Virtus is identified by her helmet.SH95113. Silver denarius, RSC I 429, RIC I 313, BMCRE I 55, BnF I 196, Choice EF, attractive style, nice toning, well centered, banker's mark on cheek, thin flan cracks on reverse, tiny edge cracks, weight 3.894 g, maximum diameter 18.8 mm, die axis 90o, Italian (Rome?) mint, moneyer M. Durmius, 19 - 18 B.C.; obverse M DVRMIVS III VIR HONORI, bare head of Honos right, with idealized features of Augustus; reverse CAESAR AVGVSTVS, slow quadriga right, modius-shaped car, three grain ears on top, S C (senatus consulto) in exergue; ex Superior Galleries, The Moreira Sale, part 2 (10-11 Oct 1988), part of lot 2305; very rare;
Caligula, 16 March 37 - 24 January 41 A.D.
This type was the first portrait sestertius struck at the mint of Rome. The wreath on the reverse is the corona civica, the oak wreath awarded to Roman citizens ex senatus consulto (by special decree of the Senate) for saving the life of another citizen by slaying an enemy in battle. It became a prerogative for Roman emperors to be awarded the Civic Crown, originating with Augustus, who was awarded it in 27 B.C. for saving the lives of citizens by ending the series of civil wars.SH94039. Orichalcum sestertius, RIC I 37, BMCRE I 38, Cohen I 24, BnF II 50, Hunter I 15, SRCV I -, VF, good style portrait, well centered on a tight flan, corrosion, weight 25.093 g, maximum diameter 34.5 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 37 - 38 A.D.; obverse C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT, laureate head left; reverse S P Q R / P P / OB CIVES / SERVATOS (from the Senate and people of Rome to the father of the country for saving the citizens) in four lines within Corona Civica oak wreath; ex Savoca auction 34 (16 Jun 2019), 365;
Roman Civil War, Vitellius, c. 69 A.D.
This coin is M71 in Butcher, K. & M. Pointing, The Metallurgy of Roman Silver Coinage: From the Reform of Nero to the Reform of Trajan (Cambridge, 2015). There is a tiny drill hole on the edge where silver was extracted for testing. This was an important coin in the study, with test results indicating 93.9% silver bullion and Gallic isotope ratios strongly suggesting similarity with other Vitellius coins from Gallia, not coins minted for Galba.RS86684. Silver denarius, Butcher-Pointing M71 (this coin), RIC I Civil Wars 121, BMCRE I 65, RSC I Galba 363, BnF I 75, Martin 7, EF, toned, tight flan, light corrosion, test drill hole on edge, weight 3.127 g, maximum diameter 17.5 mm, die axis 180o, Southern Gaul(?) mint, c. 69 A.D.; obverse clasped hands, FIDES above, EXERCITVVM below; reverse clasped hands, FIDES above, PRAETORIANORVM curving along the edge below; from the Jyrki Muona Collection, ex Helios, auction 4 (Munich, 14 Oct 2009), lot 270; ex Coll. A. Lynn collection; ex Classical Numismatic Group, auction 54 (14 June 2000), lot 1484; ex P. DeVicci collection; rare;
Nero, 13 October 54 - 9 June 68 A.D.
Annona was the goddess of harvest and Ceres the goddess of agriculture. This reverse refers to the transportation of grain by sea from the provinces (especially from Africa) and its distribution to the people. By the Code De Naviculariis, the mariners appointed to carry grain from Egypt could be executed if they did not keep the proper course; and if they did not sail in the proper season, the master of the vessel would be banished.
SH94037. Orichalcum sestertius, RIC I 137, BMCRE I 128, Mac Dowall WCN 119, BnF II 273 var. (NERO CLAVDIVS...), Cohen I 24 var. (same), Hunter I -, SRCV I -, VF, well centered on a broad flan, nice green patina, pin-prick pitting, weight 26.678 g, maximum diameter 35.3 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 65 A.D.; obverse NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P, laureate bust right wearing aegis; reverse ANNONA AVGVSTI CERES, Annona standing right, right hand on hip, cornucopia in left hand, facing Ceres enthroned left, holding grain-ears in right hand, torch in left hand, modius on garlanded altar in center between them, ship's stern in background, S C (senatus consulto) in exergue; ex Pegasi Numismatics; Herod Philip, Tetrarch of Batanea, 4 B.C. - 34 A.D., Issued for Augustus
Son of Herod the Great, Philip was educated with his older brothers at Rome. He inherited the northern part of his father's kingdom. Augustus gave him the title tetrarch, not king. Philip was peace-loving and a good administrator. He was the first Jewish ruler to put his own portrait, as well as those of Roman rulers, on coins.
JD94487. Bronze AE 19, RPC I 4942, Hendin 1223, Meshorer TJC 99; Meshorer AJC II p. 244, 5; Sofaer Collection 126; BMC Palestine -, nice F, attractive patina, slightly off center on a tight flan cutting off parts of legends, weight 7.158 g, maximum diameter 19.0 mm, die axis 45o, Caesarea Philipi (Paneas) mint, 12 - 13 A.D.; obverse KAICAPI CEBACTΩ (for Caesar Augustus), laureate head of Augustus right; reverse ΦIΛIΠΠOY TETPAPXOY, the Augusteum of Paneas (tetrastyle temple) with stairs leading to it, dot in pediment, L - I - ς (year 16) between the columns; rare; Titus, 24 June 79 - 13 September 81 A.D., Judea Capta
Judea Capta issue On 14 April 70 A.D., Titus surrounded Jerusalem. He allowed pilgrims to enter to celebrate Passover but this was a trap to put pressure on supplies of food and water; he refused to allow them to leave. On 10 May he began his assault on the walls. The third wall fell on 25 May. The second wall fell on 30 May. On 20 July Titus stormed the Temple Mount. On 4 August 70 A.D. Titus destroyed the Temple. The Jewish fast of Tisha B'Av mourns the Fall of Jerusalem annually on this date.
RB94481. Orichalcum sestertius, RIC II 151 (R2), BnF III 156, Hunter I 41, Cohen I 109, Hendin 1593, BMCRE II 164, SRCV I -, aF, Tiber patina, corrosion, smoothing where corrosion has been treated and removed, weight 20.680 g, maximum diameter 32.9 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 80 - 81 A.D.; obverse IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII, laureate bearded head left; reverse palm tree in center, morning Jewess on left seated left on pile of shields, her head propped on her left hand, Jewish captive on right standing right with hands bound behind, arms on the ground, IVD - CAP (Judaea capta) divided across upper field, S C (senatus consulto) in exergue; from an Israeli collection, ex Jean Elsen (Belgium); very rare; Galba, 3 April 68 - 15 January 69 A.D., Parium, Mysia
The capricorn, a symbol of Augustus, was adopted as a symbol of Parium, probably after an Augustan refoundation of the colonia.
RP94043. Bronze AE 22, RPC Online I 2267.3 (this coin, 3 specimens), SNG Fitzwilliam 4202, SNG BnF -, SNG Cop -, SNGvA -, BMC Mysia -, VF, the nicest of three known specimens, dark green patina, some legend weak, scratches, spots of corrosion, weight 8.606 g, maximum diameter 22.0 mm, die axis 0o, Parium mint, 3 Apr 68 - 15 Jan 69 A.D.; obverse GALBA CAESAR, bare head of Galba (or Augustus?) right, star below chin; reverse capricorn right, head reverted, cornucopia over shoulder, AVGVSTVS / D D in two lines in exergue; ex CNG mail bid sale 64 (24 Sep 2003), 601; ex Lanz auction 109 (27 May 2002), 334; ex CNG e-auction 456 (13 Nov 19), 286; Coin Archives records only the sale of one specimen in the last two decades - this coin; extremely rare; Vespasian, 1 July 69 - 24 June 79 A.D., Judaea Capta
This type celebrates the success of Vespasian and Titus in quelling the First Jewish Revolt. Coins commemorating this event are referred to as "Judaea Capta" issues.
SL95783. Silver denarius, RIC II-1 4 (R), Hendin 1480, BMCRE II 43, Hunter I 20, RSC II 229, SRCV I 2297, BnF III -, NGC VG, strike 4/5, surface 4/5 (5768937-002), weight 3.20 g, maximum diameter 18.1 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, c. 21 Dec 69 - early 70 A.D.; obverse IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head right; reverse Judaea or Jewess seated right on ground at foot of palm tree behind her, her hands bound behind and tied to the tree, IVDAEA in exergue; NGC| Lookup; rare; Domitian, 13 September 81 - 18 September 96 A.D., Flaviopolis, Cilicia
Vespasian founded both the province of Cilicia and the city of Flaviopolis in 74 A.D. as part of an imperial program for urbanization of the Cilician Plain. Prior to establishing the province, the rural hinterland and the city of Anazarbos were probably administered by the Tracondimotid dynasty from Hieropolis Castabala. The location of Flaviopolis is believed to be Kadirli, Turkey were some mosaic floors, inscriptions, and building blocks have been found. This coin was struck in year 17 of the local era, the first year that Flaviopolis issued coins.
SL21984. Bronze AE 27, RPC II 1757; SNG BnF 2171 - 2172; SNG Levante 1529; BMC Lycaonia p. 78, 1; SGICV 861; c/m: Howgego 190 (21 pcs.), NGC XF, strike 4/5, surface 3/5 (countermark, 5768432-010), weight 13.107 g, maximum diameter 26.8 mm, die axis 0o, Flaviopolis (Kadirli?, Turkey) mint, 89 - 90 A.D.; obverse ∆OMETIANOC KAICAP, laureate head right; countermark: helmeted bust of Athena in 4 x 6 mm rectangular incuse; reverse ΦΛAVIOΠOΛEITWN ETOYC ZI (Flaviopolis year 17), laureate and draped confronted busts of the Dioscuri, each wearing laureate pileus and surmounted by star above forehead; ex FORVM 2014, NGC| Lookup; Page created in 0.533 seconds.
