Domitian was the younger son of the emperor Vespasian. Although his older brother Titus occupied the throne from A.D. 79 to 81, while Domitian was growing up, he was not  More »

Domitian was the younger son of the emperor Vespasian. Although his older brother Titus occupied the throne from A.D. 79 to 81, while Domitian was growing up, he was not given any real political power. Because of this, Domitian always felt a certain amount of resentment towards his elder brother, spurring the rumors that Domitian poisoned Titus, although these are generally believed to be false. Like Tiberius and Caligula before him, Domitian sought to be absolute ruler. He scandalized the Senate and the rest of the Roman aristocracy by having statues of himself erected and by insisting that people refer to him as "Lord and God.” The Senate grew to loathe and fear Domitian, hatching numerous plots against his life, and he, in turn, became increasingly suspicious towards them. In the last three or four years of Domitian’s reign, the senators lived in fear of their lives, reaping the fruit of their conspiracies. In the end, it would be this backstabbing and mistrust on both sides that would doom Domitian. In 95, he eliminated his two praetorian prefects. The two men who replaced them, Petronius Secundus and Norbanus, fearing that they too would soon be eliminated, decided to form a successful conspiracy to assassinate Domitian. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who might have touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after it leaves our hands. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and location, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of a long forgotten empire. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine- made currencies. This ancient coin is a memorial an emperor’s reign passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation that still appears as vibrant today as the day it was struck. - (C.0408)   « Less

Obverse: Portrait of the Emperor Crowned with a Laurel Wreath. Reverse: Livia Enthroned as Pax Seated Facing Right, Holding Branch and Sceptre Tiberius was a tragic figure.  More »

Obverse: Portrait of the Emperor Crowned with a Laurel Wreath. Reverse: Livia Enthroned as Pax Seated Facing Right, Holding Branch and Sceptre Tiberius was a tragic figure. He was an outstanding military commander - the best of his age - but he was neither interested in, nor fitted for politics. Yet, as the son of Emperor Augustus, he was doomed to be emperor. He knew Augustus favored others over him and that he was about the eighth choice. It was his mother, Livia, who was determined that Tiberius should succeed. He was unenthusiastic about becoming emperor and ended by loathing his position. Historically, he has a reputation for being over suspicious to the point of paranoia, constantly fearing plots against his life by senators or popular rivals. In the latter part of his reign, Tiberius moved to the island of Capri, out of touch with Rome but still emperor. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who might have touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after it leaves our hands. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and location, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of a long forgotten empires. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine- made currencies. This coin is more than a commemoration to an individual leader, it is also a glorious memorial to an entire ancient empire passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation. - (C.0465)   « Less

Obverse: Portrait of the Emperor Crowned with a Laurel Wreath. Reverse: Bust of the Sun God Sol Hadrian spent much of his reign traveling about the Roman Empire and  More »

Obverse: Portrait of the Emperor Crowned with a Laurel Wreath. Reverse: Bust of the Sun God Sol Hadrian spent much of his reign traveling about the Roman Empire and checking into the well - being of the cities, towns, provinces, and ordinary citizens over whom he ruled. He was always interested in civic improvements, and would often have a new bridge, road, aqueduct, or temple built when he thought that the local citizens would benefit by such new construction. The reign of Hadrian at the height of the PAX ROMANA period was a time of great peace and prosperity in the Roman Empire. He continued the public works building projects that his adoptive father Trajan began and strengthened the defenses on the borders of the empire. Because of attacks on Roman citizens living in southern Britain, he built Hadrian's Wall across a narrow part of the island. Hadrian was an educated emperor and a patron of the arts. He spent most of his reign visiting the different provinces of the empire and personally overseeing the improvements and public works carried out under his orders. Like Trajan and Nerva before him, he adopted a grown man in order to make him heir to the throne. When his first adopted son Aelius Caesar died of illness, Hadrian adopted another, Antoninus Pius, who would succeed him when Hadrian died in his bed after a long illness. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who might have touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after it leaves our hands. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and location, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of a long forgotten empire. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine-made currencies. While the legend of Hadrian will live on in the ruins his monumental constructions, perhaps his memory is no better preserved than in coins such as this: intimate memorials passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation that appear as vibrant today as the day they were struck. - (C.466)   « Less

Hadrian spent much of his reign traveling about the Roman Empire and checking into the well - being of the cities, towns, provinces, and ordinary citizens over whom he ruled.  More »

Hadrian spent much of his reign traveling about the Roman Empire and checking into the well - being of the cities, towns, provinces, and ordinary citizens over whom he ruled. He was always interested in civic improvements, and would often have a new bridge, road, aqueduct, or temple built when he thought that the local citizens would benefit by such new construction. The reign of Hadrian at the height of the PAX ROMANA period was a time of great peace and prosperity in the Roman Empire. He continued the public works building projects that his adoptive father Trajan began and strengthened the defenses on the borders of the empire. Because of attacks on Roman citizens living in southern Britain, he built Hadrian's Wall across a narrow part of the island. Hadrian was an educated emperor and a patron of the arts. He spent most of his reign visiting the different provinces of the empire and personally overseeing the improvements and public works carried out under his orders. Like Trajan and Nerva before him, he adopted a grown man in order to make him heir to the throne. When his first adopted son Aelius Caesar died of illness, Hadrian adopted another, Antoninus Pius, who would succeed him when Hadrian died in his bed after a long illness. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who might have touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after it leaves our hands. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and location, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of a long forgotten empire. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine-made currencies. While the legend of Hadrian will live on in the ruins his monumental constructions, perhaps his memory is no better preserved than in coins such as this: intimate memorials passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation that appear as vibrant today as the day they were struck. - (C.486)   « Less

Hadrian spent much of his reign traveling about the Roman Empire and checking into the well - being of the cities, towns, provinces, and ordinary citizens over whom he ruled.  More »

Hadrian spent much of his reign traveling about the Roman Empire and checking into the well - being of the cities, towns, provinces, and ordinary citizens over whom he ruled. He was always interested in civic improvements, and would often have a new bridge, road, aqueduct, or temple built when he thought that the local citizens would benefit by such new construction. The reign of Hadrian at the height of the PAX ROMANA period was a time of great peace and prosperity in the Roman Empire. He continued the public works building projects that his adoptive father Trajan began and strengthened the defenses on the borders of the empire. Because of attacks on Roman citizens living in southern Britain, he built Hadrian's Wall across a narrow part of the island. Hadrian was an educated emperor and a patron of the arts. He spent most of his reign visiting the different provinces of the empire and personally overseeing the improvements and public works carried out under his orders. Like Trajan and Nerva before him, he adopted a grown man in order to make him heir to the throne. When his first adopted son Aelius Caesar died of illness, Hadrian adopted another, Antoninus Pius, who would succeed him when Hadrian died in his bed after a long illness. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who might have touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after it leaves our hands. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and location, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of a long forgotten empire. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine-made currencies. While the legend of Hadrian will live on in the ruins his monumental constructions, perhaps his memory is no better preserved than in coins such as this: intimate memorials passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation that appear as vibrant today as the day they were struck. - (C.844)   « Less

Obverse: TI CAESAR DIVS AVG F AVGVSTVS; Portrait of the Emperor Crowned with a Laurel Wreath. Reverse: PONTIF MAXIM; Livia Enthroned as Pax Seated Facing Right Tiberius was  More »

Obverse: TI CAESAR DIVS AVG F AVGVSTVS; Portrait of the Emperor Crowned with a Laurel Wreath. Reverse: PONTIF MAXIM; Livia Enthroned as Pax Seated Facing Right Tiberius was a tragic figure. He was an outstanding military commander - the best of his age - but he was neither interested in nor fitted for politics. Yet, as the son of Emperor Augustus, he was doomed to be emperor. He knew Augustus favored others over him and that he was about the eighth choice. It was his mother, Livia, who was determined that Tiberius should succeed. He was unenthusiastic about becoming emperor and ended by loathing his position. Historically, he has a reputation for being over suspicious to the point of paranoia, constantly fearing plots against his life by senators or popular rivals. In the latter part of his reign, Tiberius moved to the island of Capri, out of touch with Rome but still emperor. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who might have touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after it leaves our hands. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and location, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of a long forgotten empires. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine- made currencies. This coin is more than a commemoration to an individual leader, it is also a glorious memorial to an entire ancient empire passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation. - (C.3093)   « Less

Obverse: Portrait of the Emperor Crowned with a Laurel Wreath. Reverse: Livia Enthroned as Pax Seated Facing Right Tiberius was a tragic figure. He was an outstanding  More »

Obverse: Portrait of the Emperor Crowned with a Laurel Wreath. Reverse: Livia Enthroned as Pax Seated Facing Right Tiberius was a tragic figure. He was an outstanding military commander - the best of his age - but he was neither interested in nor fitted for politics. Yet, as the son of Emperor Augustus, he was doomed to be emperor. He knew Augustus favored others over him and that he was about the eighth choice. It was his mother, Livia, who was determined that Tiberius should succeed. He was unenthusiastic about becoming emperor and ended by loathing his position. Historically, he has a reputation for being over suspicious to the point of paranoia, constantly fearing plots against his life by senators or popular rivals. In the latter part of his reign, Tiberius moved to the island of Capri, out of touch with Rome but still emperor. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who might have touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after it leaves our hands. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and location, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of a long forgotten empires. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine- made currencies. This coin is more than a commemoration to an individual leader, it is also a glorious memorial to an entire ancient empire passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation. - (C.3094)   « Less

Obverse: Portrait of the Emperor Crowned with a Laurel Wreath. Reverse: Livia Enthroned as Pax Seated Facing Right Tiberius was a tragic figure. He was an outstanding  More »

Obverse: Portrait of the Emperor Crowned with a Laurel Wreath. Reverse: Livia Enthroned as Pax Seated Facing Right Tiberius was a tragic figure. He was an outstanding military commander - the best of his age - but he was neither interested in, nor fitted for politics. Yet, as the son of Emperor Augustus, he was doomed to be emperor. He knew Augustus favored others over him and that he was about the eighth choice. It was his mother, Livia, who was determined that Tiberius should succeed. He was unenthusiastic about becoming emperor and ended by loathing his position. Historically, he has a reputation for being over suspicious to the point of paranoia, constantly fearing plots against his life by senators or popular rivals. In the latter part of his reign, Tiberius moved to the island of Capri, out of touch with Rome but still emperor. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who might have touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after it leaves our hands. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and location, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of a long forgotten empires. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine- made currencies. This coin is more than a commemoration to an individual leader, it is also a glorious memorial to an entire ancient empire passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation. - (C.3095)   « Less

Obverse: Portrait of the Emperor Crowned in a Laurel Wreath. Reverse: Jupiter Enthroned, Holding a Thunderbolt and Scepter Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus was born at Antium in  More »

Obverse: Portrait of the Emperor Crowned in a Laurel Wreath. Reverse: Jupiter Enthroned, Holding a Thunderbolt and Scepter Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus was born at Antium in 37 A.D., the son of Cnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus and Agrippina Junior. He became Caesar in 50 A.D., and Augustus from 54 A.D. Perhaps no emperor evokes the image of Rome’s grandeur and decadence better than Nero. Much maligned by later historians, Nero was in fact a complex and talented individual, as full of whims and contradictions as any human being. Though he sat on the throne of Rome, his dearest ambition was to be a stage actor. He neither started the fire that destroyed half of Rome in 64 A.D., nor fiddled as it burned, although this is the impression that has survived through the ages, thanks to the rumors spread by his enemies. He used this opportunity to begin one of the most outrageous building projects Rome has ever known, the Domus Aurea, or “Golden House of Nero.” Once standing on the present site of the Coliseum, work on this monumental complex, apparently covered in gold, silver, and precious jewels, was halted upon his death in 68 A.D. While Nero was not free from faults by any means, he clearly was not the corrupt villain history has painted him to be. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who might have touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after it leaves our hands. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and location, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of a long forgotten empire. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine- made currencies. Today, this coin is an ancient memorial to an emperor passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation. - (C.3092)   « Less

Obverse: Portrait of the Emperor Crowned with a Laurel Wreath Reverse: Livia Enthroned as Pax, Holding Olive Branch and Scepter Tiberius was a tragic figure. He was an  More »

Obverse: Portrait of the Emperor Crowned with a Laurel Wreath Reverse: Livia Enthroned as Pax, Holding Olive Branch and Scepter Tiberius was a tragic figure. He was an outstanding military commander - the best of his age - but he was neither interested in, nor fitted for politics. Yet, as the son of Emperor Augustus, he was doomed to be emperor. He knew Augustus favored others over him and that he was about the eighth choice. It was his mother, Livia, who was determined that Tiberius should succeed. He was unenthusiastic about becoming emperor and ended by loathing his position. Historically, he has a reputation for being over suspicious to the point of paranoia, constantly fearing plots against his life by senators or popular rivals. In the latter part of his reign, Tiberius moved to the island of Capri, out of touch with Rome but still emperor. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who might have touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after it leaves our hands. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and location, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of a long forgotten empires. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine-made currencies. This coin is more than a commemoration to an individual leader, it is also a glorious memorial to an entire ancient empire passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation. - (C.3006)   « Less