Roman Imperial Coins

Carcalla was born Lucius Septimius Bassianus in A.D. 188. When his father, Septimius Severus, became emperor that changed to Marcus Aurelius Antoninus for a link to the fondly remembered Antonine Dynasty. He was later made joint emperor but within a year of Septimius Severus’ death in A.D. 211, Caracalla ensured he had no rivals by killing his brother, Geta, and Geta’s 20,000 supporters. He was a soldier, so left his mother, Julia Domna, to run the empire while he campaigned, gaining the name Carcalla from a Gallic cloak & hood he adopted while on the Rhine. He was also cruel & unstable, massacring thousands in Alexandria (Egypt) over a satirical play. He was eventually killed by a disaffected soldier he had refused promotion, leaving the empire in financial ruin from his campaigns and increases to soldiers pay. Caracalla’s coins have his most enduring legacy on them, his portrait, one of the most impressive on all Roman coins. It breaks from previous philosopher-emperors; his curly hair close-cropped like a soldier and his life-like bust becoming more imposing as he ages. We have a small group of his silver Denarii in Good Very Fine showing his adult bust on the obverse with multiple reverse types. We think Roman coins are miniature pieces of art, this is a great example!

Caracalla. A.D. 198-217. Rome - A.D. 201. AR Denarius. Laureate head right / 'RECTOR ORBIS' Caracalla, naked, standing facing, head left, holding globe & spear. Good Very Fine. A classic reverse design, old collectors ticket included.

Caracalla. A.D. 198-217., Moesia Inferior, Nikopolis ad Istrum. Æ Assarion. Laureate head right / Nude, winged Eros standing left with legs crossed & holding torch. About Very Fine & Scarce.

Caracalla. A.D. 198-217. Rome - A.D. 199. AR Denarius. Laureate head right / 'SECVRIT ORBIS' Securitas enthroned right at ease & holding sceptre; altar to right. Lustrous About Extremely Fine & Scarce thus.

Caracalla. A.D. 198-217., Rome - A.D. 213. AR Denarius. Laureate bust right / 'P M TR P XVI COS IIII P P' Serapis standing raising right hand & holding sceptre. Toned About Extremely Fine.

Born of humble origin around A.D. 245 in Dalmatia near Split, Diocletian bought order to the Roman world after nearly 60 years of chaos. Like many of his predecessors, he had a military career, rising through the ranks to high command. Following the murder of the emperor Numerian, Diocletian was proclaimed emperor by his troops. Then the defeat of Carinus (brother of Numerian) left Diocletian in undisputed control of the Empire. Having realised the empire was too big for one person alone he quickly appointed an old army colleague, Maximian, as co-emperor. He also settled the problem of succession by the appointment of two junior Caesars, one for himself and Maximian. Diocletian spent much of his reign campaigning against Rome’s enemies on the Danube frontier, in North Africa, Egypt and Syria. Although there were Christians at all levels of society at this time, Diocletian worshipped the old Roman gods and was responsible for A savage persecution of Christians. Diocletian was a prolific builder and did much to overhaul the tax system and reform the coinage in an attempt to counter inflation. He abdicated in A.D. 305 and retired to his palace in Split. He died there in A.D. 311 a broken man, having watched his reforms trampled to death by the likes of Constantine the Great and Licinius. The coins we offer here are Billon Antoninianus in Extremely Fine condition with various reverses

Constantius II. A.D. 337-361. Arles - A.D. 357-361. AR Siliqua. Diademed, draped & cuirassed bust right / 'VOTIS XXX MVLTIS XXXX' in four lines within wreath; 'P CON' in ex. About Extremely Fine & Scarce. With this coin the emperor is celebrating his 30th anniversary & hoping for a 40th.

Titus Flavius Domitianus was born in Rome in A.D. 51 to the future emperor Vespasian. Side-lined for much of his youth, the sudden death of his older brother, Titus, in A.D. 81 made Domitian emperor. His tyrannical reputation is due to the historians writing about him being of the senatorial ruling class with whom he clashed politically; he executed at least 12 ex-consuls! But, when all the evidence is considered, including archaeology such as coins, it shows he was a ruthless but efficient ruler who provided the foundation of the peaceful second century. He was loved by the people and the army for improving their lives, for instance he improved the silver quality of the coinage, therefore public trust in money. We have a small group of Domitian’s silver Denarius grading Very Fine that show his bust on the obverse and his patron deity, Minerva, standing on the reverse. She was the Roman version of Athena, the goddess of wisdom, justice, law, victory, and the sponsor of arts, trade, and strategic warfare. Fill this gap in your collection and decide for yourself, Tyrant or Terribly Misunderstood?

Gallic Empire. Postumus. A.D. 260-269., Cologne - A.D. 260-265. Billon Ant. Radiate bust right / 'LAETITIA AVG' Galley sailing left over waves with rowers & steersman. Toned Very Fine with slightly weak reverse & Scarce. This likely commemorates a visit to Britain.

Gallienus (A.D. 253-268) is a much maligned Roman emperor. Originally he ruled jointly with his father, Valerian I, until the latter was scandalously captured for life by the Sassanid Empire in A.D. 260. Throughout Gallienus’ reign he also faced natural disasters, disease and invasions on all sides. But most serious were at least 8 internal rebellions from his own governors and generals, the last one killed him! Even with these setbacks his impressive 15 years was by far the longest reign of the period called ‘The Crisis of the Third Century’. His reforms, such as a mobile field army, set the stage for the revival of the empire by others after he died. We have put together a small group of his billon silver Antoniniani with various reverses. The chaos of his reign famously meant the quality of his coins declined compared to earlier emperors. What makes these we offer so special is that the portraits are all clear and in Extremely Fine grade! And at a price we think you will agree is most fair, we got a good deal on these so we pass that saving on to you, don’t miss out...

Geta as Caesar. A.D. 198-209., Rome - A.D. 209. AR Denarius. Bare head right / 'PONTIF COS II' Genius/Bonus Eventus standing left sacrificing from patera over altar & holding corn ears. Flan crack, bright About Extremely Fine with a choice portrait.

Born in 225 A.D, Gordian III became Roman Emperor at the age of 13, reigning from 238 to 244 AD. His ascension followed the chaotic Year of the Six Emperors. Despite his youth, Gordian III faced major challenges such as the Sassanian Empire’s incursions. Tragically, Gordian III died under suspicious circumstances at the age of 19, sparking speculation about possible foul play in the imperial court. These coins were struck in the ancient Bithynian city of Nicaea (now İznik, Turkey) which is famous for the council of Nicaea in 325 A.D by Constantine I which formed the basis for Christianity today. The coins have the legends in Greek with the bust of Gordian III on the obverse and three to four army standards on the reverse with the legend N-I-K-AI-EWN (Nicaea) between the standards.

Gordian III. A.D. 238-244., Rome - A.D. 239. AR Antoninianus. Radiate bust right / 'PAX AVGVSTI' Pax standing left holding branch & sceptre. Toned Extremely Fine with slightly weak reverse.

Gordian III. A.D. 238-244., Rome - A.D. 241-243. AR Antoninianus. Radiate bust right / 'AETERNITATI AVG' Sol stg. left holding globe & saluting. Toned Good Very Fine.

Gordian III. A.D. 238-244., Rome - A.D. 244. AR Antoninianus. Radiate bust right / 'FELICIT TEMP' Felicitas stg. holding long caduceus & cornucopiae. Toned Good Very Fine.

Gratian. A.D. 367-383., Trier - A.D. 368-75. AR Siliqua. Diademed bust right / 'VRBS ROMA' Roma enthroned left holding Victory on globe & sceptre. Small flan crack, About Extremely Fine & Scarce.

Herennia Etruscilla, Wife of T. Decius., Rome - A.D. 250. AR Antoninianus. Diademed bust right on crescent / 'PVDICITIA AVG' Pudicitia stg. left holding sceptre & drawing veil across face. Very Fine & Scarce.

Herennius Etruscus as Caesar. A.D. 250-251., Rome. AR Antoninianus. Radiate bust right / 'PIETAS AVGVSTORVM' Priestly implements: sprinkler, simpulum, jug, patera, & lituus. Good Very Fine with better portait & Very Scarce.

Julia Domna was descended from the Priest-Kings of Emesa, Syria. According to legend, before Septimius Severus was emperor he heard prophecy of a woman destined to marry a king, so he found her and married her! A very intelligent woman, celebrated for her learning, Julia Domna helped administer the empire holding many titles such as the exquisite “Mother of the Invincible Camps”. Like many empresses she also set fashion trends; it is thought she introduced the Romans to the wearing of wigs with her particular hairstyle still worn by Zenobia 60 years later! This hairstyle can be seen on the silver Denarius we offer in Extremely Fine. On the obverse is her draped bust with various goddesses on the reverse. We have not been able to offer Julia Domna like this in a long time, these high grade coins will make great gifts (especially for a lady) or grace any collection. Do not miss out!

Julia Maesa (born AD 160) AR. Denarius. Obv. Draped bust of Julia Maesa facing to rightbust right, Rev. PIETAS AV Pietas standing left sacrificing over an altar holding box of incemse. [Sear 7754] Good Very Fine+. Julia Maesa was the Grandmother of the Emperors Elagabalus and Severus Alexander.

Julia Paula, Wife of Elagabalus., Rome - A.D. 220. AR Denarius. Draped bust right / 'CONCORDIA' Concordia standing left holding patera with star above it. Good Very Fine & Very Scarce.

Julia Soaemias (died AD 222) Mother of Elagabalus. AR Denarius, Rome AD 220-222. Obv. Draped bust right. Rev. VENVS CAELESTIS, Venus standing left holding apple and sceptre, star in field to right. [Sear 7719 var.] Good Very Fine & Scarce.

Macrinus, AD 217-218, AR Denarius, Rome AD 217. Obverse. Laureate and cuirassed bust of Macrinus facing to right. Reverse: SECVRITAS TEMPORVM, Securitas standing facing to left holding a sceptre and leaning on a column [Sear 7365] Extremely Fine and Scarce.

Macrinus. A.D. 217-218., Seleucis & Pieria, Beroea. Billon Tetradrachm. Laur. & draped bust R. / Eagle stg. facing, head L., with wings spread & wreath in beak; mintmark between legs. Good Very Fine & Rare!

Magnus Maximus. A.D. 383-388., AR Siliqua. Roma std. Very Fine & Rare.