Obverse: Portrait of the Emperor Hadrian Crowned in a Laurel Wreath Reverse: Jupiter Standing Left, Holding Scepter and Lightning Bolt Hadrian spent much of his reign  More »

Obverse: Portrait of the Emperor Hadrian Crowned in a Laurel Wreath Reverse: Jupiter Standing Left, Holding Scepter and Lightning Bolt 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.3011)   « Less

Obverse: Laureate Bust of the Emperor Facing Right. Reverse: A Bull Walking to the Right Vespasian was one of the most human of all the Roman emperors. He appreciated a  More »

Obverse: Laureate Bust of the Emperor Facing Right. Reverse: A Bull Walking to the Right Vespasian was one of the most human of all the Roman emperors. He appreciated a good joke, even when he was the butt of it. Legend states that he never had an innocent man punished, and even wept for condemned criminals when it was necessary that they be executed. He was an old soldier, and would often show kindness to other old soldiers. He was well aware of the labors of the common man: his father was a tax collector, and Vespasian himself had to become a mule driver after he was banished from Nero's court for falling asleep during one of Nero's performances. Later, Nero made him a general and put him in command of an army sent to put down a revolt in Judea. When Vespasian became emperor his son Titus replaced him as general in Judea and finally put down the revolt in A.D. 70. Vespasian died on June 23, A.D. 79 after a short illness. As he was at the point of death, he struggled to stand up, saying that an emperor should die on his feet. He even made a joke about his own death. It was the custom to consecrate popular emperors after their deaths, declaring them a minor god. Vespasian was heard to say as he was about to expire, "Oh my, I fear I am about to become a god!" 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 active currencies in the age we live 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. Although history often leaves little room for the benevolent leaders that looked after the welfare of their citizens, opting instead to highlight those who started great wars or constructed great monuments often at the expense of the people, the memory of Vespasian will live on in artifacts like this coin: concrete remnants of ancient empires passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation. - (C.4069)   « Less

Obverse: NERO CAESAR AVGVSTVS; Portrait of the Emperor Crowned in a Laurel Wreath Reverse: AVGVSTVS AVGVSTA; Radiate Nero Standing on the Left, Holding a Patera and a  More »

Obverse: NERO CAESAR AVGVSTVS; Portrait of the Emperor Crowned in a Laurel Wreath Reverse: AVGVSTVS AVGVSTA; Radiate Nero Standing on the Left, Holding a Patera and a Sceptre, Poppaea Standing Next to Him on the Right, Holding a Patera and a Cornacopiae 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.4079)   « Less

Emperor Valens - C.4179 Medium: gold

Emperor Valens - C.4179 Medium: gold   « Less

Obverse: Laureate and Draped Bust of the Emperor Facing Right. Reverse: Fortuna Seated to the Left Holding a Rudder and a Cornucopiae Trajan was born in 53 A.D. to a family  More »

Obverse: Laureate and Draped Bust of the Emperor Facing Right. Reverse: Fortuna Seated to the Left Holding a Rudder and a Cornucopiae Trajan was born in 53 A.D. to a family of Roman origin residing in Itálica (near modern Sevilla, Spain). Conqueror of Dacia (modern Romania) and Mesopotamia, he ruled the Roman Empire from the year 98 until his death in 117. He was trained as a youth in the Roman army and took an active part in campaigns in Spain, Syria, and Germany during the reigns of the emperors Titus and Domitian. Trajan achieved distinction as a general of outstanding ability, and in 91 he was elected a consul. In 97, he was adopted by Emperor Nerva as his colleague and successor. On the death of Nerva the following year, Trajan, who was at that time inspecting the Roman frontier in Germany, became the sole ruler of the empire. 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. Numerous monuments scattered throughout the Roman Empire today bear testimony to Trajan’s reign. However, perhaps no ruin is as personal and intimate as this coin. Although simple in form and function, void of any grandeur or pomposity, this coin is not a stagnant memorial but an active artifact of a leader passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation. - (C.2023)   « Less

Obverse: Laureate Bust of Emperor Facing Right Surrounded by Text, "IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG" Reverse: Victory Holding a Wreath Standing on Cista Mystica, Serpent to  More »

Obverse: Laureate Bust of Emperor Facing Right Surrounded by Text, "IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG" Reverse: Victory Holding a Wreath Standing on Cista Mystica, Serpent to Either Side, Surrounded by Text, "PON MAX TR P COS VI" Vespasian was one of the most human of all the Roman emperors. He appreciated a good joke, even when he was the butt of it. Legend states that he never had an innocent man punished, and even wept for condemned criminals when it was necessary that they be executed. He was an old soldier, and would often show kindness to other old soldiers. He was well aware of the labors of the common man: his father was a tax collector, and Vespasian himself had to become a mule driver after he was banished from Nero's court for falling asleep during one of Nero's performances. Later, Nero made him a general and put him in command of an army sent to put down a revolt in Judea. When Vespasian became emperor his son Titus replaced him as general in Judea and finally put down the revolt in A.D. 70. Vespasian died on June 23, A.D. 79 after a short illness. As he was at the point of death, he struggled to stand up, saying that an emperor should die on his feet. He even made a joke about his own death. It was the custom to consecrate popular emperors after their deaths, declaring them a minor god. Vespasian was heard to say as he was about to expire, "Oh my, I fear I am about to become a god!" 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 active currencies in the age we live 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. Although history often leaves little room for the benevolent leaders that looked after the welfare of their citizens, opting instead to highlight those who started great wars or constructed great monuments often at the expense of the people, the memory of Vespasian will live on in artifacts like this coin: concrete remnants of ancient empires passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation. - (C.2247)   « Less

Obverse: FL IVL CONSTANTIVS PERP AVG; Helmeted and Cuirassed Bust of Constantius II Facing Forward, Holding a Spear and a Shield. Reverse: GLORIA REIPVBLICAE; Roma and  More »

Obverse: FL IVL CONSTANTIVS PERP AVG; Helmeted and Cuirassed Bust of Constantius II Facing Forward, Holding a Spear and a Shield. Reverse: GLORIA REIPVBLICAE; Roma and Constantinopolis Seated, Holding a Shield Inscribed VOT XXX MVLT XXXX Flavius Julius Constantius was born on August 7, 317 to Fausta and Constantine the Great. He became Caesar on November 8, 324 and Augustus on September 9, 337 after his father's death. He received the eastern provinces in the division of the Empire with his brothers Constans and Constantine II. He spent much of his reign warring with the Sassanian Empire under Sapor II, but suppressed Magnentius, the murderer of Constans, to become the sole Augustus in August of 353. He died of illness on November 3, 361 near Tarsus while marching to suppress Julian II, who had declared himself Augustus in early 360. Like his father before him, Constantius II played a prominent role in the early history of the Christian Church. He was a tolerant and just ruler, although he stifled any possible competitors to his power. 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 to the Emperor Constantius II, 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.7433)   « 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  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) - (SK.060)   « Less

Roman Gold Coin of Emperor Nero - LC.135. Origin: Mediterranean Circa: 54 AD to 68 AD Weight: 7.3 Grams Collection: Roman Coins Style: Roman Medium: Gold

Roman Gold Coin of Emperor Nero - LC.135. Origin: Mediterranean Circa: 54 AD to 68 AD Weight: 7.3 Grams Collection: Roman Coins Style: Roman Medium: Gold   « Less

Obverse: Laureate head of the Emperor, right. IMP. TITVS CAES. VESPASIAN AVG. P. M. Reverse: TR. P. VIIII. IMP. XV. COS. VII. P. P. Born in 41 AD, Titus was the elder son  More »

Obverse: Laureate head of the Emperor, right. IMP. TITVS CAES. VESPASIAN AVG. P. M. Reverse: TR. P. VIIII. IMP. XV. COS. VII. P. P. Born in 41 AD, Titus was the elder son of Vespasian and Flavia Domitilla and was educated with Britannicus, the ill-fated son of Claudius. He later served in Germany and Britain and commanded a legion in his father's Jewish campaign. When Vespasian left to assume the purple, Titus remained to carry on the war and captured Jerusalem in 70 AD. On his return to Rome, Vespasian made him his colleague in government and his succession in 79 AD was smooth. Remembered as a benevolent emperor, his premature death in 81 AD was deeply mourned. - (SK.070 )   « Less