The Twelve Caesars (49BC-96AD)

Julius Caesar — 49–44 BC
Augustus — 27 BC – AD 14
Tiberius — AD 14–37
Caligula — AD 37–41
Claudius — AD 41–54
Nero — AD 54–68
Galba — AD 68–69
Otho — AD 69
Vitellius — AD 69
Vespasian — AD 69–79
Titus — AD 79–81
Domitian — AD 81–96

Julius Caesar (100–44 BC) was the brilliant Roman general and statesman whose actions ended the Roman Republic and set the foundations for the Empire. Rising through military success and political alliances, he conquered Gaul, crossed the Rubicon in defiance of the Senate, and emerged victorious from civil war as Rome’s dominant figure. As dictator, he introduced major reforms—from the calendar to provincial administration—that reshaped Roman life. His growing power alarmed traditionalists, and on the Ides of March 44 BC he was assassinated by senators hoping to save the Republic. Instead, his death triggered another civil war, leading to the rise of Augustus and the birth of imperial Rome.

Julius Caesar stands at the turning point between Republic and Empire, and his coinage reflects that seismic shift. His issues — from the famous elephant denarius to the unprecedented lifetime portrait coins of 44 BC — were political statements as much as currency. They celebrated his victories in Gaul, his role as dictator perpetuo, and his religious authority, all while signalling the rise of personal power over traditional Republican institutions. Caesar’s coinage marks the moment Rome embraced the image of a single ruler, setting the template for every emperor who followed.

178. Julius Caesar (100 - 44 BC) - Venus / Aeneas

Notes

178. Head of Venus right, wearing diadem. Border of dots. Reverse; Aeneas left, carrying palladium in right hand and Anchises on left shoulder, on right, inscription

This classic ancient Roman silver denarius was issued by Julius Caesar andwas struck by a mobile military mint traveling with Caesar during his African campaign between 47 and 46 BCE(around the time of the Battle of Thapsus).

The coin features remarkable propaganda intended to legitimize Caesar's political power and divine lineage:

  • Obverse (Head of Venus right): The portrait represents the goddess Venus. The gens Julia (Julius Caesar's family) famously claimed direct descent from Venus through her grandson, Iulus (the son of Aeneas). 
  • Reverse (Aeneas and Anchises): This side depicts the Trojan hero Aeneas fleeing the burning city of Troy. He is shown carrying his crippled father, Anchises, on his shoulder and the Palladium (a sacred statue of the goddess Athena/Minerva) in his outstretched right hand. 
  • Inscription: The inscription on the right side reads CAESAR.

This specific mythology beautifully ties together Caesar's claimed divine grandmother (Venus) and his heroic ancestor (Aeneas). The reverse scene was later heavily popularized in Virgil's epic poem, the Aeneid.

This coin was minted in the middle of the civil war between Julius Caesar and Pompey, albeit after the latter’s defeat and death. Already in 50 BCE, the Senate commanded Caesar to return to Rome because his term as governor was over. In answer to that, in 49 BCE, Caesar crossed the Rubicon River with only one legion. This act resulted in a civil war between Caesar and the optimates, who chose Pompey as their leader. Afterwards Caesar defeated Pompey's allies in Spain and returned to the East, to confront the latter in Illyria.
Later on, Caesar defeated Pompey at Pharsalus, in Greece, and pursued him to Egypt, arriving soon after the murder of the general. There, he supported Cleopatra VII against her younger brother Ptolemy XIV. Caesar decided to bestow the pharaoh's crown on the head of Cleopatra in 47 BCE, after having successfully defeated her opponents. After the defeat of the King of Pontus, who had sided with Pompey, by 46 BCE, Caesar advanced to Africa to deal with Cato, and others supporters of the optimates' rule.

Possibly the coin was minted on the spot to pay the soldiers who fought on African soil.  At that time Julius Caesar had witnessed in person all the pageantry of the Hellenistic monarchy in Ptolemaic Egypt, as well as the Ptolemies’ claim to divinity. Contrary to the previous warlords such as Sulla, who claimed a close bond with Venus Felix, and to his rival Pompey, who claimed a close bond with Venus Victrix, but without pretending to descend from the goddess, Julius Caesar claimed much more. Perhaps drawing on the example of the Hellenistic monarchies of the Greek East, Caesar emphasized the divine ancestry of his family, the gens Iulia. They claimed descent from the goddess Venus and her son, the Trojan hero Aeneas, who saved his father from the fall of Troy and, according to the legend, fled to Italy. The Romans traced their history back to him. Caesar’s claim was accepted by his adopted son Octavian and it became one of the main vehicles of imperial propaganda.

The Aeneid, written by Virgil, as well as various coins minted by Octavian/Augustus, and his well-known portrait, the statue of Augustus of Prima Porta, convey the idea of a close relationship between the gens Iulia and Venus. This denarius suggests that the Roman Republic had to be identified with the personal power of Julius Caesar, by then also dictator, or supreme magistrate of the Roman Republic.
Finally, it is important to emphasize that this coin also forwards an ideal of pietas, by reffering to the pietas of Aeneas towards his father, as well as to the pietas of Julius Caesar towards his ancestors, the goddess Venus and Aeneas himself. The idea of pietas consisted in "fulfilling one's responsibilities to anyone or anything to whom one was bound in any way. The fulfillment of these responsibilities could be motivated by the requirements of duty or obligations, in which case pietas was often overlapped with the notion of officium, fides, or religio, or by the deeper sentiments of love and affection" (Noreña, Imperial Ideals in the Roman West, p. 71). Later on, in the early imperial period, according to Carlos Noreña, pietas was one of the most important virtues displayed on Roman imperial coinage.

Minted in Africa

Currency Denarius

Paid £150 - Kevin - Charing Cross

Date 18/12/1999

Reference s.1402 / s.2355

Current Value £2,500

Size 16mm

Weight 3.83g

112. Julius Caesar (100 - 44 BC) - Elephant Trampling Snake (* Contemporary Counterfeit *)

Notes

112. Julius Caesar (100 - 44 BC) - Elephant Trampling Snake

* Contemporary Counterfeit *

This is the first coin ever issued by Julius Caesar, struck in 49 BC at the very start of the civil war against Pompey. It shows:

> Obverse: An elephant advancing right, trampling a serpent

> Reverse: A collection of priestly symbols (simpulum, aspergillum, axe, and apex)

The message was pure propaganda: Caesar = the mighty elephant crushing evil / chaos / Pompey’s faction.

A contemporary counterfeit means:

  • It was made in antiquity, not modern.

  • Usually produced by criminals or local moneyers during Caesar’s lifetime.

  • Often silver‑plated bronze, or low‑grade silver.

  • Style is usually slightly “off”:

    • Elephant looks more cartoonish or stiff

    • Legends irregular

The weight is 1.75g as oposed to the heavier silver original of 3.8–4.0g.

These were made to pass in everyday circulation — essentially ancient fraud.

 

Currency Denarius

Paid £130 - Alan Cherry - Commonwealth Institute

Date 17th November 1999

Reference s.353

Current Value

Size 16mm

Weight 1.75g

241. Julius Caesar (100 - 44 BC) - Elephant Trampling Snake

Notes

241.Julius Caesar (100 - 44 BC) - Elephant Trampling Snake

This is the first coin ever issued by Julius Caesar, struck in 49 BC at the very start of the civil war against Pompey. It shows:

> Obverse: An elephant advancing right, trampling a serpent

> Reverse: A collection of priestly symbols (simpulum, aspergillum, axe, and apex)

The message was pure propaganda: Caesar = the mighty elephant crushing evil / chaos / Pompey’s faction.

 

Currency Denarius

Paid £120 - Kevin - Charing Cross

Date 12th August 2000

Reference s.1399

Current Value

Size 19mm

Weight 3.25g

185. Julius Caesar (100 - 44 BC) - Gaulish Captives

Notes

104. Julius Caesar (100 - 44 BC) - Gaulish Captives

Roman Republican/Imperatorial. Military mint moving with Caesar in Spain, 46-45 BCE.
Obv: Head of Venus to right, wearing stephane; Cupid behind shoulder
Rev: Trophy of Gallic arms, composed of helmet and cuirass, oval shield and two carnyxes. Two Gallic captives seated at base, to left, a female (Gallia) in posture of mourning, head resting in r. hand; to right, a bearded male (Vercingetorix) with hands bound behind him, looking l. CAESAR in exergue.
Reference: Crawford 468/1; CRI 58; RSC 13; Sydenham 1014.

Numismatic Notes: The figures on the reverse of this coin are traditionally identified as the same as those portrayed on the obverses of the pair of Hostilius Saserna AR Denarii, c. 48 BC, depicting Gallia (left) and Vercingetorix (right).
This coin became the archetype for Roman numismatic depictions of captives for the next 400 years. The trophy with two captives beneath was used frequently in the 3rd century (e.g., by Septimius Severus and Caracalla) and became a popular type on 4th century small bronze coinage (see, e.g., the Constantine AE3s). Even those depicting a single captive borrowed from this imagery; e.g., Judaea (under Vespasian et al.), Armenia (L. Verus et al.), and Dacia (Trajan et al.), among others, were depicted as female personifications in the same attitude of dejection/posture of mourning.

Currency Denarius

Paid £220 - Bob Unger - Charing Cross

Date 11th July 1999

Reference s.354

Current Value £350

Size 19mm

Weight 3.72g

122. Julius Caesar (100 - 44 BC) - Gaulish Captives

Notes

122. Julius Caesar (100 - 44 BC) - Gaulish Captives

Roman Republican/Imperatorial. Military mint moving with Caesar in Spain, 46-45 BCE.
Obv: Head of Venus to right, wearing stephane; Cupid behind shoulder
Rev: Trophy of Gallic arms, composed of helmet and cuirass, oval shield and two carnyxes. Two Gallic captives seated at base, to left, a female (Gallia) in posture of mourning, head resting in r. hand; to right, a bearded male (Vercingetorix) with hands bound behind him, looking l. CAESAR in exergue.
Reference: Crawford 468/1; CRI 58; RSC 13; Sydenham 1014.

Numismatic Notes: The figures on the reverse of this coin are traditionally identified as the same as those portrayed on the obverses of the pair of Hostilius Saserna AR Denarii, c. 48 BC, depicting Gallia (left) and Vercingetorix (right).
This coin became the archetype for Roman numismatic depictions of captives for the next 400 years. The trophy with two captives beneath was used frequently in the 3rd century (e.g., by Septimius Severus and Caracalla) and became a popular type on 4th century small bronze coinage (see, e.g., the Constantine AE3s). Even those depicting a single captive borrowed from this imagery; e.g., Judaea (under Vespasian et al.), Armenia (L. Verus et al.), and Dacia (Trajan et al.), among others, were depicted as female personifications in the same attitude of dejection/posture of mourning.

Currency Denarius

Paid £120 - Bob Unger - Charing Cross

Date 7th August 1999

Reference s.357

Current Value £350

Size 18mm

Weight 3.88g

104. Julius Caesar (100 - 44 BC) - Trophy of Gallic Arms

Notes

185. Julius Caesar (100 - 44 BC) - Trophy of Gallic Arms

Roman Republican/Imperatorial. Military mint moving with Caesar in Spain, 46-45 BCE.
Obv: Head of Venus to right, wearing stephane; Cupid behind shoulder
Rev: Trophy of Gallic arms, composed of helmet and cuirass, oval shield and two carnyxes. Two Gallic captives seated at base, to left, a female (Gallia) in posture of mourning, head resting in r. hand; to right, a bearded male (Vercingetorix) with hands bound behind him, looking l. CAESAR in exergue.
Reference: Crawford 468/1; CRI 58; RSC 13; Sydenham 1014.

Numismatic Notes: The figures on the reverse of this coin are traditionally identified as the same as those portrayed on the obverses of the pair of Hostilius Saserna AR Denarii, c. 48 BC, depicting Gallia (left) and Vercingetorix (right).
This coin became the archetype for Roman numismatic depictions of captives for the next 400 years. The trophy with two captives beneath was used frequently in the 3rd century (e.g., by Septimius Severus and Caracalla) and became a popular type on 4th century small bronze coinage (see, e.g., the Constantine AE3s). Even those depicting a single captive borrowed from this imagery; e.g., Judaea (under Vespasian et al.), Armenia (L. Verus et al.), and Dacia (Trajan et al.), among others, were depicted as female personifications in the same attitude of dejection/posture of mourning.

Currency Denarius

Paid £100 - Kevin - Charing Cross

Date 18th December 1999

Reference s.1404

Current Value

Size 20mm

Weight 4.04g

190. Cnaes Pompey - Roma / Pompey Receives Palm (46 BC)

Notes

190. Cnaes Pompey, Junior - Roma / Pompey Receives Palm (46 BC)

Minted in Cordoba, Spain in summer 46 BC to spring 45 BC, just before his defeat by Caesar.

M. Poblicius, legate pro praetore. Obv: helmeted head of Roma right; M•POBLICI•LEG PRO•PR around. Rev: female figure standing right, with shield slung on back, holding two spears and giving palm-branch to soldier (Pompey?) standing to left on prow of ship; CN•MAGNVS•IMP upwards to right.

Currency Denarius

Paid £80 - Kevin - Charing Crosss

Date 29th January 2000

Reference S.1384

Current Value £350

Size 20mm

Weight 3.91g

Augustus (born Gaius Octavius, later Octavian; 63 BC–AD 14) was the founder of the Roman Empire and its first emperor, ruling for more than forty years. After Julius Caesar’s assassination, Octavian rose from a little‑known teenager to the dominant force in Roman politics, defeating rivals like Mark Antony and Cleopatra to bring an end to the civil wars. In 27 BC he took the title Augustus, marking the beginning of a new political order. His reign brought stability, administrative reform, and a cultural flourishing often called the Pax Romana. Augustus reshaped Rome’s institutions while maintaining the façade of republican tradition, creating a system that endured for centuries and defining what it meant to be a Roman emperor.

Augustus transformed Caesar’s raw, revolutionary power into a stable political system, and his coinage is the visual proof of that achievement. His issues emphasise peace and restoration — the closing of the Temple of Janus, the return of lost standards, and the prosperity of the new Pax Romana. Portraiture becomes serene and idealised, projecting a ruler who governs by harmony rather than force. Through careful symbolism, Augustus used his coinage to legitimise his authority, celebrate Rome’s renewal, and define what it meant to be an emperor for generations to come.

137. Agrippa (63-12 BC) - Neptune

Notes

137. Agrippa (63 - 12 BC) - Neptune - Struck by Tiberius

Neptune standing, nude, with a cloak over his shoulders, holding a dolphin and a trident. 

Agrippa is one of the greatest men of Ancient Rome. His lifetime accomplishments were spectacular and his heritage is incredibly rich even two thousand years after his death. However, only a few Roman coins issued during his lifetime bear his portrait or name. This is due to the role that money played at the time of the Roman Empire. In addition to being a means of payment, coins were also a form of propaganda. As this centered around the person of Octavian, and later his family, other subjects or persons, with rare exceptions, had no place on Rome’s coins.

 

 

Currency Sestertius

Paid £45 - Saive

Date 11th September 1999

Reference s.556 / s.1812

Current Value £350

Size 25mm

Weight 13.06 g

172. Agrippa (63-12 BC) - Neptune

Notes

172. Agrippa (63 - 12 BC) - Neptune - Struck by Tiberius

Neptune standing, nude, with a cloak over his shoulders, holding a dolphin and a trident. 

Agrippa is one of the greatest men of Ancient Rome. His lifetime accomplishments were spectacular and his heritage is incredibly rich even two thousand years after his death. However, only a few Roman coins issued during his lifetime bear his portrait or name. This is due to the role that money played at the time of the Roman Empire. In addition to being a means of payment, coins were also a form of propaganda. As this centered around the person of Octavian, and later his family, other subjects or persons, with rare exceptions, had no place on Rome’s coins.

 

 

Currency Sestertius

Paid £50 - Ziele

Date 13th November 1999

Reference s.556 / s.1812

Current Value £350

Size 27mm

Weight 13.67g

161. Octavian (29-27  BC) - Victory standing flanked by Two Snakes

Notes

161. Octavian (63 BC) - Victory standing on Cista Mystica flanked by Two Snakes

Minted in: Italy (Brundisium and Rome?). Rev. ASIA / RECEPTA Victory standing front on cista mistica, head to left, holding wreath in her right hand and palm frond in her left, flanked by two interlaced snakes with heads erect.

The Cista Mystica is a sacred box used in the Dionysiac mysteries, especially in Asia Minor (Pergamon, Ephesus, etc.). It symbolises Asia Minor - both its religious identity and its Hellenistic heritage

Augustus deliberately uses a symbol familiar to Greek‑speaking provinces.

The serpents are guardians of the cista in Dionysiac ritual.

They represent the mystical traditions of Asia, the “taming” of the East under Roman rule and the idea of Rome restoring order

So Victory stands ovber the cista, literally dominating Asia, her wreath and palm frond proclaim triumph.

This coin announces:

“Asia has been recovered for Rome after the defeat of Antony and Cleopatra.”

It is a political statement, not a religious one.

 

Currency Quinarius

Paid £35 - Commonwealth Institute

Date 23rd October 1999

Reference s.1568

Current Value £550

Size 12mm

Weight 1.90g

382. Augustus and Agrippa (9 BC) - Crocodile in chains

Notes

382. Heads of Augustus and Agrippa / Crocodile in chains

The obverse displays the heads of Augustus, laureate (on the right) and Agrippa, laureate and wearing a rostral crown (on the left), back to back.

On the reverse is featured a crocodile, right, in chains, with a palm-branch behind; behind the palm, a wreath with long ties.

Inscription: The obverse bears the inscription “IMP DIVI F,” indicating Augustus as the son of the deified Julius Caesar. The reverse field has the inscription “COL NEM,” referring to the colony of Nemausus (modern-day Nîmes, France).

Historical Significance: The crocodile represents Egypt, symbolizing the defeat of Cleopatra and the Roman victory at the Battle of Actium. It may also refer to the veterans of the Actium campaign settled in Nemausus by Octavian (Augustus).


Currency Brass Dupondius

Paid £55 - Charing Cross

Date 2025

Reference s.1728

Current Value

Size

Weight

 

180. Augustus and Agrippa (9 BC) -Crocodile in chains

Notes

180. Heads of Augustus and Agrippa / Crocodile in chains

The obverse displays the heads of Augustus, laureate (on the right) and Agrippa, laureate and wearing a rostral crown (on the left), back to back.

On the reverse is featured a crocodile, right, in chains, with a palm-branch behind; behind the palm, a wreath with long ties.

Inscription: The obverse bears the inscription “IMP DIVI F,” indicating Augustus as the son of the deified Julius Caesar. The reverse field has the inscription “COL NEM,” referring to the colony of Nemausus (modern-day Nîmes, France).

Historical Significance: The crocodile represents Egypt, symbolizing the defeat of Cleopatra and the Roman victory at the Battle of Actium. It may also refer to the veterans of the Actium campaign settled in Nemausus by Octavian (Augustus).


Currency Brass Dupondius

Paid £55 - Charing Cross

Date 2025

Reference s.1728

Current Value

Size

Weight

196. Octavian (63 BC - 14 AD) - Head of Apollo / Octavian Plowing

Notes

196. Octavian (63 BC - 14 AD) - Head of Apollo / Octavian Plowing

This denarius was struck around 29–27 BC, just before Octavian received the title Augustus. It marks the moment he transitions from Civil war victor to founder of a new political order.  This coin is essentially the numismatic birth certificate of the Augustan regime.

This is Octavian performing the ritual foundation ceremony of a city — the sulcus primigenius, the sacred first furrow.  In Roman tradition, when founding a new city, the leader:

  • Wore a veil 

  • Drove two oxen pulling a plow

  • Marked out the pomerium, the sacred boundary

Octavian used this imagery to claim he was refounding Rome after the civil wars, restoring peace, order, and tradition.  It also illustrated that his rule was divinely sanctioned

This is one of the clearest pieces of propaganda showing Octavian presenting himself not as a conqueror, but as a founder and restorer.


Currency Denarius

Paid £120 - Kevin - Charing Cross

Date 4th December 1999

Reference s.460 / S.1560

Current Value £1,200

Size 19 mm

Weight 3.83 g

80. Octavian (63 BC - 14 AD) - Head of Apollo / Octavian Plowing

Notes

80. Octavian (63 BC - 14 AD) - Head of Apollo / Octavian Plowing

This denarius was struck around 29–27 BC, just before Octavian received the title Augustus. It marks the moment he transitions from Civil war victor to founder of a new political order.  This coin is essentially the numismatic birth certificate of the Augustan regime.

This is Octavian performing the ritual foundation ceremony of a city — the sulcus primigenius, the sacred first furrow.  In Roman tradition, when founding a new city, the leader:

  • Wore a veil 

  • Drove two oxen pulling a plow

  • Marked out the pomerium, the sacred boundary

Octavian used this imagery to claim he was refounding Rome after the civil wars, restoring peace, order, and tradition.  It also illustrated that his rule was divinely sanctioned

This is one of the clearest pieces of propaganda showing Octavian presenting himself not as a conqueror, but as a founder and restorer.


Currency Denarius

Paid £90 - Kevin - Charing Cross

Date 11th December 1999

Reference s.460 / S.1560

Current Value £1,000

Size 19 mm

Weight 3.83 g

291. Octavian (63 BC - 14 AD) - Pax Standing Holding Olive Branch

Notes

291. Octavian (63 BC - 14 AD) - Pax Standing Holding Olive Branch and cornucopia

This Octavian denarius (minted 32–29 BC) has an obverse featuring a bare head of Octavian, while the reverse depicts Pax (goddess of peace) standing left, holding an olive branch (symbolizing peace and victory) and a cornucopia (symbolizing prosperity and abundance).

Political Symbolism

Commissioned during the civil wars as Octavian fought Mark Antony and Cleopatra, this coin was a brilliant piece of propaganda. By placing Pax on the reverse, Octavian promised citizens that an end to the civil wars would bring the return of stability and wealth to Rome. It subtly framed his military campaigns as necessary to achieve this ultimate peace, subtly pointing to Cleopatra as the disruptor.

  • Reverse Legend: CAESAR DIVI F (Caesar, Son of the Divine)
  • Significance of Legend: This text was crucial for legitimizing Octavian's rule by visually and textually tying him to the legacy of Julius Caesar.

Currency Denarius

Paid £160 - CNG - eBay

Date 25th October 2000

Reference s.1551

Current Value £12,500

Size 19 mm

Weight 3.55 g

179. Octavian and Lepidus (42 BC)

Notes

179. Octavian and Lepidus (42 BC)

The Octavian & Lepidus denarius of 42 BC is one of the clearest numismatic snapshots of the Second Triumvirate at the moment it was gearing up for the campaign against Brutus and Cassius. It’s catalogued as Crawford 495/2 and is part of the large imperatorial coinage struck in Italy in spring–summer 42 BC.

It’s a silver denarius showing Lepidus on one side and Octavian on the other, both identified as triumvirs for the re‑establishment of the Republic, struck to fund the military operations leading to Philippi.

Obverse

  • Bare head of Lepidus, right

  • Legend: LEPIDVS PONT MAX III VIR R P C

    • Pontifex Maximus — he inherited Caesar’s priesthood in 44 BC

    • III VIR R(ei) P(ublicae) C(onstituendae) — “Triumvir for the re‑establishment of the Republic”

Reverse

  • Bare head of Octavian, right

  • Legend: CAESAR IMP III VIR R P C

    • IMP — imperator, acknowledging his military victories

    • Same triumviral title as Lepidus

It was minted in Italy, moving with the triumviral forces in 42 BC, just before the campaign against Brutus & Cassius

After Caesar’s assassination, Octavian, Antony, and Lepidus formed a legally constituted three‑man dictatorship. All three struck coinage aggressively in 43–42 BC to fund armies.

Crawford notes these issues were funded by the proceeds of the proscriptions, the brutal confiscations and executions used to raise money for the coming war.

Lepidus was the least militarily dominant of the triumvirs. His coinage is less common and less varied than Antony’s or Octavian’s, reflecting his weaker political position.

Octavian’s portrait and IMP title show his growing military legitimacy. Within a year, after Philippi, he would eclipse Lepidus entirely

Currency Denarius

Paid £350 - Kevin - Charing Cross

Date 18th December 1999

Reference s.1523 / s.401

Current Value £1,800

Size 19 mm

Weight 3.93g

173. Octavian (32 BC) - Head of Pax / Octavian Walking

Notes

173. Octavian (32 BC) - Head of Pax / Octavian Walking

This coin is the Octavian “Pax / Adlocutio” denarius, struck Autumn 32 – Summer 31 BC, just before Actium. 

The obverse displays the Diademed head of Pax right, with Cornucopia behind, Olive branch before

The message: Octavian is presenting himself as the bringer of peace and prosperity.

On the reverse, Octavian walking right, raising hand in adlocutio (addressing the troops), Spear over shoulder

The Message: Octavian as commander‑in‑chief, rallying the army before the decisive war with Antony.

The coin was struck immediately before the Battle of Actium (31 BC), when Octavian was consolidating political and military power.  As part of a huge propaganda push presenting him as a bringer of peace (Pax), the leader of the legions (adlocutio) and protector of Rome

The imagery is deliberate: peace on the obverse, military authority on the reverse. It’s Octavian saying: I will bring peace, but only after victory.

This is one of the clearest “pre‑Augustus” coins showing the transition from Republican general to future emperor.

Currency Denarius

Paid £130 - Cumberland Coin Show

Date 6th November 1999

Reference s.1549

Current Value £2,000

Size 19 mm

Weight 3.79g

183. Octavian (29-27 BC) - Victory on Prow of Ship

Notes

183. Octavian (29-27 BC) - Octavian driving a bigae / Victory on Prow of Ship

The obverse depicts Octavian driving a bigae (two‑horse chariot). He holds the reins and a sceptre, the horses are shown in motion.  This is a triumphal chariot scene, not a portrait.  Legend: IMP CAESAR

This is a rare and desirable type, struck just after Actium.

The reverse image shows Victory standing on a ship’s prow, holding a wreath.  This is the classic Actium victory symbol

This coin celebrates Octavian’s naval victory at Actium (31 BC), his triumphal return to Rome and his status as Imperator Caesar. The biga obverse represents his triumphal procession. The prow reverse represents the naval victory that made him master of the Roman world.

It was minted during the transition period just before he becomes Augustus in 27 BC

 

Currency Denarius

Paid £180 - Mike Vosper - Charing Cross

Date 6th November 1999

Reference s.1555

Current Value £600

Size 19 mm

Weight 3.62g

188. Octavian (29-27 BC) - Victory on Prow of Ship

Notes

188. Octavian (29-27 BC) - Octavian driving a bigae / Victory on Prow of Ship

The obverse depicts Octavian driving a bigae (two‑horse chariot). He holds the reins and a sceptre, the horses are shown in motion.  This is a triumphal chariot scene, not a portrait.  Legend: IMP CAESAR

This is a rare and desirable type, struck just after Actium.

The reverse image shows Victory standing on a ship’s prow, holding a wreath.  This is the classic Actium victory symbol

This coin celebrates Octavian’s naval victory at Actium (31 BC), his triumphal return to Rome and his status as Imperator Caesar. The biga obverse represents his triumphal procession. The prow reverse represents the naval victory that made him master of the Roman world.

It was minted during the transition period just before he becomes Augustus in 27 BC

 

Currency Denarius

Paid £180 - Kevin - Charing Cross

Date 6th November 1999

Reference s.1555 / s.460

Current Value £600

Size 19 mm

Weight 3.59g

325. Octavian (36 BC) - Temple of Julius Caesar

Notes

325. Octavian (34 - 37 AD) - Temple of Julius Caesar

The famous Octavian denarius depicting the Temple of Julius Caesar was actually minted in 36 BC (during his time as Triumvir, rather than 34–37 AD). It is a rare and highly sought-after piece of ancient Roman propaganda.

 

Key Coin Features

The Obverse features a bareheaded, bearded portrait of Octavian facing right, surrounded by the legend identifying him as the son of the divine Julius and a Triumvir.

The Reverse depicts the tetrastyle (four-columned) Temple of Divus Iulius. Inside the temple stands a veiled statue of Julius Caesar holding an augur's staff (lituus). A prominent six-pointed star, representing the Sidus Iulium (Caesar's Comet) is above the temple. A lighted altar is visible to the left of the temple. 

    Struck while the temple was actually still under construction in the Roman Forum, the coin was designed to legally and visually cement Octavian’s connection to the now-divine Julius Caesar. The bearded portrait was an expression of mourning for Caesar's assassination


    Currency Denarius

    Paid £70 - Kevin - Charing Cross

    Date 2nd December 2000

    Reference s.1545

    Current Value £600

    Size 20mm

    Weight 3.37g

    384. Octavian (32-29 BC) - Head of Venus / Octavian Walking in military Attire

    Notes

    384. Octavian - Head of Venus / Octavian Walking in military attire

    The coin depicts Venus, shown facing right, wearing a stephane (diadem) - her hair in the classical Venus style: wavy, tied back, with a ribbon with a small knot behind the head

    Why Venus?

    Octavian is deliberately invoking Julius Caesar’s divine patroness. Caesar claimed descent from Venus Genetrix, and Octavian is hammering home the message:

    “I am Caesar’s heir — therefore Venus is my divine protector.”

    This is part of the Divi Filius (“son of the divine”) propaganda programme.

    On the reverse is the figure of Octavian standing right wearing military dress and holding a spear. He is raising his right hand in a gesture of command or acclamation

    The legend reads: CAESAR DIVI F (“Caesar, son of the divine”)

    This is not a deity, not Virtus, not Mars — it is Octavian, asserting his authority as commander of Rome’s armies.

    Because this coin was struck during the build‑up to the war with Antony and Cleopatra. Octavian needed to present himself as both the rightful heir of Caesar and divinely favoured leader, but also as the commander who would restore Rome.  

     

    Currency Denarius

    Paid £270 - Tony - Charing Cross

    Date 3rd September 2016

    Reference s.1548

    Current Value £600

    Size 20mm

    Weight 3.93g

    191 - Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) - Bull Butting

    Notes

    191 - Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) - Bull Butting

    Bare head of Augustus right./Butting Bull left. IMP X in exergue (meaning Imperator for the tenth time)

    Struck c. 27–26 BC Mint: Probably a Spanish military mint (Tarraco is the leading candidate)

    This is Augustus in his early portrait style:

    • Bare head (not yet consistently laureate)

    • Youthful, idealised features

    • Short, neat hair in the early Augustan style

    This portrait style is transitional — Augustus is no longer Octavian, but not yet the fully formalised imperial portrait of later issues.

    This is not a random animal. The bull is one of the most ancient symbols of strength, Military power, Victory and Founding authority

    Given the mint attribution (Spain) and the legend IMP X, the bull almost certainly references Augustus’ tenth acclamation as Imperator, awarded for victories in Spain.

     

    Currency Denarius

    Paid £80 - Kevin - Charing Cross

    Date 19th January 2000

    Reference s.1610 / RSC 137

    Current Value £500

    Size 16mm

    Weight 3.03g

    198 - Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) - Bull Butting

    Notes

    198 - Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) - Bull Butting

    Bare head of Augustus right./Butting Bull left. IMP X in exergue (meaning Imperator for the tenth time)

    Struck c. 27–26 BC Mint: Probably a Spanish military mint (Tarraco is the leading candidate)

    This is Augustus in his early portrait style:

    • Bare head (not yet consistently laureate)

    • Youthful, idealised features

    • Short, neat hair in the early Augustan style

    This portrait style is transitional — Augustus is no longer Octavian, but not yet the fully formalised imperial portrait of later issues.

    This is not a random animal. The bull is one of the most ancient symbols of strength, Military power, Victory and Founding authority

    Given the mint attribution (Spain) and the legend IMP X, the bull almost certainly references Augustus’ tenth acclamation as Imperator, awarded for victories in Spain.

     

    Currency Denarius

    Paid £120 - Dema - eBay

    Date 11th March 2000

    Reference s.1610 / RSC 137

    Current Value £500

    Size 17mm

    Weight 3.74g

    309. Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) - Capricorn holding Globus attached to Rudder

    Notes

    309. Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) - Capricorn holding Globus attached to Rudder

    This is the classic Spanish mint type (likely Colonia Patricia), struck c. 17–16 BC.

    Obverse: Bare head right; Reverse: Capricorn right, holding globus attached to rudder between front hooves; cornucopia above

    The Capricorn is Augustus’ personal zodiac sign (he was born under Capricorn’s rising sign). But on coins, it carries much deeper political meaning.

    The Capricorn (half‑goat, half‑fish): Represents mastery over land and sea — crucial after Augustus’ victory at Actium.

    The Globus (world sphere): Symbolises world dominion — Rome’s universal rule.

    The Rudder: Represents control over fate and direction of the empire.

    The Cornucopia: Symbol of prosperity and abundance, signalling the peace Augustus brought after decades of civil war.

    This coin is pure Augustan propaganda:

    “Augustus guides the world, brings prosperity, and rules over land and sea.”

     

    Currency Denarius

    Paid £140 - Paul Murray - eBay

    Date 8th October 2000

    Reference s.1592

    Current Value £650

    Size 21mm

    Weight 3.36g

    78. Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) - Capricorn holding Globus attached to Rudder

    Notes

    78. Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) - Capricorn holding Globus attached to Rudder

    This is the classic Spanish mint type (likely Colonia Patricia), struck c. 17–16 BC.

    Obverse: Bare head right; Reverse: Capricorn right, holding globus attached to rudder between front hooves; cornucopia above

    The Capricorn is Augustus’ personal zodiac sign (he was born under Capricorn’s rising sign). But on coins, it carries much deeper political meaning.

    The Capricorn (half‑goat, half‑fish): Represents mastery over land and sea — crucial after Augustus’ victory at Actium.

    The Globus (world sphere): Symbolises world dominion — Rome’s universal rule.

    The Rudder: Represents control over fate and direction of the empire.

    The Cornucopia: Symbol of prosperity and abundance, signalling the peace Augustus brought after decades of civil war.

    This coin is pure Augustan propaganda:

    “Augustus guides the world, brings prosperity, and rules over land and sea.”

     

    Currency Denarius

    Paid £175 - Mike Vosper - Charing Cross

    Date 5th June 1999

    Reference s.1592

    Current Value £650

    Size 20mm

    Weight 3.75g

    89. Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) - Caius & Lucius Caesars

    Notes

    89. Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) - Caius & Lucius Caesars

    Obverse: Head of Augustus, laureate, right.

    Legend: CAESAR AVGVSTVS DIVI F PATER PATRIAE (Caesar Augustus, son of the divine, father of the nation)

    Reverse: Gaius and Lucius Caesar standing, each, togate, resting hand on shield and spear, simpulum, right, and lituus, left, flanking, left and right respectively.

    Reverse legend : C L CAESARES AVGVSTI F COS DESIG PRINC IVVENT (Gaius and Lucius, sons of Caesar Augustus, consuls elect, princes of the youth.)

    Minted at Lugdunum, Gaul, modern-day Lyons, France (15 BC–AD 78)

    Gaius (born 20 BC) and Lucius (born 17 BC) were the sons of Marcus Agrippa and Julia, Augustus’ daughter. Augustus adopted them as his own and groomed them as future emperors.

    The reverse proclaims them Consuls‑designate and Princes of the Youth (Principes Iuventutis) — a formal honour marking them as heirs

    These coins were struck in huge quantities at Lugdunum between 2 BC and AD 4, precisely when Augustus was promoting the boys as successors.

    The sheer volume was deliberate:

    Every Roman handling money would see the faces of Augustus’ intended heirs.

    Above the boys is a Simpulum (priestly vessel) and a Lituus (augur’s staff)

    These symbols emphasise their religious authority and their legitimacy as future leaders

    Despite the propaganda, both heirs died young:

    • Lucius died in AD 2

    • Gaius died in AD 4

    Their deaths forced Augustus to adopt Tiberius, reshaping Roman history. This makes the coin a poignant reminder of the succession that never happened.

    Currency Denarius

    Paid £75 - Bob Unger - Charing Cross

    Date 12th June 1999

    Reference s.479

    Current Value £

    Size 18mm

    Weight 3.70g

    89. Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) - Caius & Lucius Caesars

    Notes

    36. Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) - Caius & Lucius Caesars

    Obverse: Head of Augustus, laureate, right.

    Legend: CAESAR AVGVSTVS DIVI F PATER PATRIAE (Caesar Augustus, son of the divine, father of the nation)

    Reverse: Gaius and Lucius Caesar standing, each, togate, resting hand on shield and spear, simpulum, right, and lituus, left, flanking, left and right respectively.

    Reverse legend : C L CAESARES AVGVSTI F COS DESIG PRINC IVVENT (Gaius and Lucius, sons of Caesar Augustus, consuls elect, princes of the youth.)

    Minted at Lugdunum, Gaul, modern-day Lyons, France (15 BC–AD 78)

    Gaius (born 20 BC) and Lucius (born 17 BC) were the sons of Marcus Agrippa and Julia, Augustus’ daughter. Augustus adopted them as his own and groomed them as future emperors.

    The reverse proclaims them Consuls‑designate and Princes of the Youth (Principes Iuventutis) — a formal honour marking them as heirs

    These coins were struck in huge quantities at Lugdunum between 2 BC and AD 4, precisely when Augustus was promoting the boys as successors.

    The sheer volume was deliberate:

    Every Roman handling money would see the faces of Augustus’ intended heirs.

    Above the boys is a Simpulum (priestly vessel) and a Lituus (augur’s staff)

    These symbols emphasise their religious authority and their legitimacy as future leaders

    Despite the propaganda, both heirs died young:

    • Lucius died in AD 2

    • Gaius died in AD 4

    Their deaths forced Augustus to adopt Tiberius, reshaping Roman history. This makes the coin a poignant reminder of the succession that never happened.

    Currency Denarius

    Paid £120 - Bob Unger - Charing Cross

    Date 3rd January 1999

    Reference s.479

    Current Value £ 250

    Size 18mm

    Weight 3.70g

    164. Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) - Caius & Lucius Caesars

    Notes

    164. Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) - Caius & Lucius Caesars

    Obverse: Head of Augustus, laureate, right.

    Legend: CAESAR AVGVSTVS DIVI F PATER PATRIAE (Caesar Augustus, son of the divine, father of the nation)

    Reverse: Gaius and Lucius Caesar standing, each, togate, resting hand on shield and spear, simpulum, right, and lituus, left, flanking, left and right respectively.

    Reverse legend : C L CAESARES AVGVSTI F COS DESIG PRINC IVVENT (Gaius and Lucius, sons of Caesar Augustus, consuls elect, princes of the youth.)

    Minted at Lugdunum, Gaul, modern-day Lyons, France (15 BC–AD 78)

    Gaius (born 20 BC) and Lucius (born 17 BC) were the sons of Marcus Agrippa and Julia, Augustus’ daughter. Augustus adopted them as his own and groomed them as future emperors.

    The reverse proclaims them Consuls‑designate and Princes of the Youth (Principes Iuventutis) — a formal honour marking them as heirs

    These coins were struck in huge quantities at Lugdunum between 2 BC and AD 4, precisely when Augustus was promoting the boys as successors.

    The sheer volume was deliberate:

    Every Roman handling money would see the faces of Augustus’ intended heirs.

    Above the boys is a Simpulum (priestly vessel) and a Lituus (augur’s staff)

    These symbols emphasise their religious authority and their legitimacy as future leaders

    Despite the propaganda, both heirs died young:

    • Lucius died in AD 2

    • Gaius died in AD 4

    Their deaths forced Augustus to adopt Tiberius, reshaping Roman history. This makes the coin a poignant reminder of the succession that never happened.

    Currency Denarius

    Paid £100 - Kevin - Charing Cross

    Date 30th October 1999

    Reference s.1579 / s.479

    Current Value £ 250

    Size 18mm

    Weight 3.80g

    152. Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) - Shield between Legionary Eagle & Standard

    Notes

    152. Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) - Shield between Legionary Eagle & Standard

    This is a SIGNIS RECEPTIS denarius, struck at Colonia Patricia (Córdoba, Spain) around 19–18 BC, celebrating one of Augustus’ most important diplomatic victories.

    The obverse features CAESAR AVGVSTVS Bare head of Augustus right.

    The reverse features a Round shield inscribed CL V, the legend around: S P Q R, a Legionary eagle (aquila) on left and legionary standard on right.  SIGNIS above and RECEPTIS below

    This is one of the most explicit military‑propaganda reverses of Augustus’ early reign.  In 53 BC, Crassus was defeated at Carrhae, and the Parthians captured Roman legionary standards — a humiliation Rome never forgot.  In 20 BC, Augustus negotiated their peaceful return from King Phraates IV. This was a massive propaganda win:

    Augustus restored Roman honour without war — a victory greater than any battle.

    The coin celebrates this event.

    The reverse symbols mean:

    • CL V on the shield = Cl(a)ssis Vexillum or Classis Legionum Vexilla (interpreted as “the standards of the legions”)

    • S P Q R = “The Senate and People of Rome”

    • Aquila + standard = the actual military emblems returned by Parthia

    • SIGNIS RECEPTIS = “The standards have been recovered”

    This is Augustus telling the Roman world:

    “I restored Rome’s honour and avenged Carrhae.”

     

    Currency Denarius

    Paid £100 - Maison Platt - Coindex

    Date 9th October 1999

    Reference s.492

    Current Value £700

    Size 18mm

    Weight 3.65g

    57. Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) - Augustus facing right / Chariot in Temple

    Notes

    57. Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) - Chariot in Temple

    The reverse features a domed tetrastyle temple, inside: a triumphal chariot (quadriga) facing right.  The chariot contains a legionary aquila (eagle standard) and four miniature horses.  The legend is SPQR

    This is the Temple of Mars Ultor (“Mars the Avenger”), built to house the Parthian standards recovered from King Phraates IV — one of Augustus’ greatest diplomatic victories. The standards had been lost by Crassus (53 BC) and Antony (36 BC). Their recovery was a propaganda triumph, and this coin advertises that success.

    It was struck c.18 BC at Colonia Patricia, celebrating Augustus’ recovery of the Parthian standards. It is one of the most historically significant early imperial denarii, combining architecture, military symbolism, and Augustan propaganda in a single design.

     

    Currency Denarius

    Paid £65 - Bob Unger - Charing Cross

    Date 14th April 1999

    Reference s.492

    Current Value £700

    Size 20mm

    Weight 3.37g

    68. Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) - Augustus facing left / Chariot in Temple

    Notes

    68. Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) - Augustus facing left /Chariot in Temple

    The reverse features a domed tetrastyle temple, inside: a triumphal chariot (quadriga) facing right.  The chariot contains a legionary aquila (eagle standard) and four miniature horses.  The legend is SPQR

    This is the Temple of Mars Ultor (“Mars the Avenger”), built to house the Parthian standards recovered from King Phraates IV — one of Augustus’ greatest diplomatic victories. The standards had been lost by Crassus (53 BC) and Antony (36 BC). Their recovery was a propaganda triumph, and this coin advertises that success.

    It was struck c.18 BC at Colonia Patricia, celebrating Augustus’ recovery of the Parthian standards. It is one of the most historically significant early imperial denarii, combining architecture, military symbolism, and Augustan propaganda in a single design.

     

    Currency Denarius

    Paid £150 - Bob Unger - Charing Cross

    Date 29th May 1999

    Reference RSC 281 / s.492

    Current Value £700

    Size 20mm

    Weight 3.63g

    175. Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) - Capricorn in Wreath - 26 BC

    Notes

    175. Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) - Capricorn in Wreath

    Augustus, 27 BC-AD 14. Cistophorus (Silver, 26 mm, 11.53 g, 12 h),

    Minted in Pergamum (modern-day Bergama, Turkey) in 27-26 BC. IMP•CAESAR Bare head of Augustus to right; to right, lituus curved to right. Rev. AVGVSTVS Capricorn within laurel wreath to right, head turned to left, bearing cornucopiae on its back; all within laurel wreath. 

    Currency Cistophorus

    Paid £240 - Kevin - Charing Cross

    Date 20th November 1999

    Reference s.1585

    Current Value £1,300

    Size 25mm

    Weight 10.72g

    136. Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) - Consular robe / Triumphal quadriga with horses

    Notes

    136. Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) - Consular robe / Triumphal quadriga with horses

    Minted c. 18 BC in Spain in 18 BC and depicts a consular robe (toga picta over tunica palmata) between a military eagle (aquila) and a wreath, accompanied by the inscription S P Q R PARENT CONS SVO

    Slow triumphal quadriga right, its panels ornamented, surmounted by four miniature galloping horses.

     

    The reverse features a slow or triumphal quadriga (a chariot drawn by four horses). Augustus is depicted inside a domed tetrastyle temple alongside military standards.

    Historical Significance: This motif directly celebrated his victories—most notably the return of the Roman military standards lost by Crassus to the Parthians and his triple triumph celebrated in 29 BC

     

     

    Currency Denarius

    Paid £120 - Philippe Saive - Cumberland Coin Show

    Date 11th September 1999

    Reference s.1604

    Current Value £2,500

    Size 18mm

    Weight 3.59g

    284. Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) - Six Ears of Corn 

    Notes

    284. Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) - Six Ears of Corn tied together in a bundle

    Mint: Pergamum (Asia Minor), date: 27–26 BC

    The obverse features the bare head of Augustus right - IMP CAESAR.  The Style is early, idealised portrait typical of Asia Minor engravers

    The reverse features six ears of grain tied together with the legend: AVGVSTVS

    Symbolism: abundance, fertility, stability, and Augustus’ promise of prosperity after decades of civil war.

    This type is part of Augustus’ propaganda programme in Asia Minor, emphasising renewal, agricultural wealth, and peace — a visual counterpart to the Ara Pacis themes in Rome.

     

    Currency Cistopherus

    Paid £250 - B.J.Dawson - Coindex

    Date 8th October 2000

    Reference s.1586

    Current Value £2,500

    Size 25mm

    Weight 11.74g

    300. Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) - Single Span Triumphal Arch surmounted by Large Statue of Augustus in Triumphal Quadriga

    Notes

    300. Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) - Single Span Triumphal Arch surmounted by Large Statue of Augustus in Triumphal Quadriga

    This is the Augustus “SIGNIS RECEPTIS” triumphal arch denarius, struck at Colonia Patricia (Córdoba) around 19–15 BC. It commemorates Augustus’ recovery of the legionary standards lost to the Parthians — one of the most important propaganda victories of his reign.

    The obverse: Bare head of Augustus right, legend IMP IX TR POT (your coin’s inscription visible in the photo).

    The reverse: Triumphal arch with quadriga (four‑horse chariot) carrying Augustus; inscription SIGNIS RECEPTIS and SPQR inside the arch.

    This is part of the Parthian Standards series — one of the most politically charged issues of the early Principate.

    SIGNIS RECEPTIS translates as “The standards recovered”

    In 53 BC, Crassus lost the Roman standards to the Parthians at Carrhae. Their recovery decades later was a diplomatic triumph for Augustus, who presented it as a bloodless victory equal to a military conquest.

    The arch depicted is the Arch of Augustus, voted by the Senate to commemorate the return of the standards. The quadriga on top shows Augustus in full triumphal regalia — a powerful message of restored Roman honour.

    This coin is one of the clearest pieces of Augustan propaganda - Rome’s honour restored, Augustus as bringer of peace, Parthian humiliation without war and Consolidation of Augustus’ legitimacy as ruler

     

    Currency Cistopherus

    Paid £190 - Kevin - Charing Cross

    Date 14th March 2000

    Reference s.1590

    Current Value £2,500

    Size 25mm

    Weight 11.42g

    192. Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) - Apollo holding Plectrum & Lyre

    Notes

    192. Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) - Apollo holding Plectrum & Lyre

    Augustus Apollo Citharoedus denarius, struck at Lugdunum (modern Lyon) around 11–10 BC. The reverse shows Apollo standing left, holding a plectrum and lyre, with the legend IMP XII ACT. It celebrates Augustus’ victory at Actium and his association with Apollo as patron of harmony, music, prophecy, and the new Augustan order.

    The obverse: Bare head of Augustus right, legend AVGVSTVS DIVI F (Augustus, son of the divine Julius)

    The reverse: Apollo standing left, holding plectrum (right hand) and lyre (left hand). Reverse legend: IMP XII ACT (Imperator for the 12th time; Actium)

     

    Currency Denarius

    Paid £200 - Kevin - Charing Cross

    Date 26th February 2000

    Reference s.1611 / RSC 144

    Current Value £900

    Size 18mm

    Weight 3.67g

    383. Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) - Eagle on Globe (Posthumous Issue under Tiberius)

    Notes

    383. Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) - Eagle on Globe (Posthumous Issue under Tiberius)

    This coin was struck after Augustus’ death in AD 14, when he was officially deified by the Senate.

    The obverse legend: DIVVS AVGVSTVS PATER

    “Divine Augustus, Father of the Nation” This title emphasises his new status as a god.

    On the reverse: Eagle on Globe, S‑C

    The eagle is the symbol of apotheosis — carrying the emperor’s soul to heaven.

    The globe represents world dominion.

    S‑C shows the Senate authorised the issue.

    This coin is essentially a public religious monument, minted to reinforce Augustus’ divine status, Tiberius’ legitimacy as “son of a god” and the stability of the new imperial system.

     

    Currency Dupondius

    Paid £30 - Lee - Charing Cross

    Date 2025

    Reference s.1790

    Current Value £80

    Size 27mm

    Weight 10.47g

    123. Livia - Wife of Augustus - Livia as Pietas

    Notes

    123. Livia - Wife of Augustus, Mother of Tiberius - Livia as Pietas

    Rome mint, 80-81 AD
    Obv: PIETAS; Bust of Livia as Pietas, draped r., with stephane
    Rev: IMP T CAES DIVI VESP F AVG REST; S C in centre
    RIC 426 (C2). BMC 291. BNC 305.


    Titus struck an extensive restoration series of bronze coins of Flavian approved past emperors and imperial family members which reproduced the original coins in their entirety. While this veneration of past coinages was not a new idea (Vespasian copied past types on many reverses for the precious metal issues) it was quite an innovation to copy both the obverse and reverse of these past coinages. To do so likely had a dual purpose - one, to recoin types that were being recalled or falling out of circulation and to keep their memory alive, and secondly to link the Flavian house with those past revered personages. The meaning is quite clear on the reverse with Titus declaring he has restored (REST) this coin. H. Mattingly in BMCRE II described the series as a 'roll of honour of the early Empire, preserving all memories that deserved to be remembered.' This dupondius possibly features Augustus' wife Livia on the obverse as Pietas, although the identification is uncertain. Prototype, RIC 43 (Tiberius).

    Currency AE Dupondius

    Paid £150 - CNG

    Date 7th August 1999

    Reference s.547

    Current Value £1,000

    Size 30 mm

    Weight 12.87g

    Tiberius (42 BC–AD 37) was Rome’s second emperor, succeeding Augustus and ruling for twenty‑three years. A gifted general and administrator, he strengthened the frontiers, stabilised finances, and maintained the imperial system Augustus had created. Yet his reign was marked by tension: Tiberius disliked public life, clashed with the Senate, and gradually withdrew from Rome, eventually governing from the island of Capri. In his absence, the ambitious prefect Sejanus gained dangerous influence, leading to purges and political fear in the capital. Despite the darker tone of his later years, Tiberius left the empire secure, wealthy, and firmly established—proof of his effectiveness, even if his personality made him one of Rome’s most enigmatic rulers.

    Tiberius inherited Augustus’ carefully built system and preserved it with a colder, more restrained touch — and his coinage mirrors that temperament. His issues are famously sparse and conservative, favouring continuity over innovation. The celebrated “Tribute Penny” denarius, with its calm, idealised portrait and seated Livia as Pax, encapsulates his approach: stability, legitimacy, and the quiet maintenance of imperial order. Tiberius’ coinage avoids flamboyant self‑promotion, instead projecting a ruler who governs through tradition and the enduring authority of the principate.

    102. Tiberius (14-37) - Winged caduceus between two crossed cornucopias

    Notes

    102. Tiberius (14-37) - Winged caduceus between two crossed cornucopias

    Legend: TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVST IMP VII Meaning:

    >TI CAESAR – Tiberius Caesar

    >DIVI AVG F – Son of the Divine Augustus

    >AVGVST – Augustus (imperial title)

    >IMP VII – Imperator for the 7th time

    This legend is Tiberius asserting his legitimacy through Augustus — a theme he never stopped emphasising.

    Reverse

    Legend: PONT MAXIM COS Meaning:

    >PONT MAXIM – Pontifex Maximus (chief priest)

    >COS – Consul

    The reverse shows a Winged caduceus between two crossed cornucopias

    This is a classic symbol of:

    • Mercury’s caduceus → peace, fair trade, diplomacy

    • Cornucopias → abundance, prosperity, agricultural plenty

    • Wings → divine favour and swiftness

    Together, they form a visual message:

    “The emperor brings peace and prosperity to Rome.”

    This type was extremely popular and struck in large numbers at Lugdunum (modern Lyon).

    This coin sits at the heart of Tiberius’ propaganda machine.

    • It emphasises continuity with Augustus, which Tiberius desperately needed because he was never popular with the Roman people.

    • It celebrates economic stability — important after the financial crisis of AD 33.

    • It was widely circulated across Gaul and the western provinces, making it one of the most recognisable bronze types of the early empire.

    The caduceus and cornucopia pairing is inherited from earlier Republican symbolism, but under Tiberius it becomes a statement of imperial ideology:

    Peace through authority, prosperity through stability.

     

    Currency AE Dupondius

    Paid £60 - Bob Unger - Charing Cross

    Date 26th June 1999

    Reference s.575

    Current Value £100

    Size 30 mm

    Weight 14.60g

    109. Tiberius (14-37) - Livia Seated

    Notes

    109. Tiberius (14-37) - Livia Seated

    Minted AD 36-37. Lugdunum (modern Lyon). 

    'Tribute Penny' type. Obv: TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS, laureate head right. Rev: PONTIF MAXIM, Livia seated right on chair with ornamented legs, holding sceptre and branch; on singular exergual line.

    This is the coin traditionally associated with the biblical “Render unto Caesar” passage. The AD 36–37 issue is the final Lugdunum emission of Tiberius’ reign, recognisable by:

    • The more refined portrait style

    • The single exergual line

    • The ornate chair legs

    • Slightly softer strike on the edges

    Currency Denarius

    Paid £190 - Bob Unger - Charing Cross

    Date 11th July 1999

    Reference s.1763 / s.567

    Current Value £700

    Size 18mm

    Weight 3.51g

    15. Tiberius (14-37) - Livia Seated

    Notes

    15. Tiberius (14-37) - Livia Seated

    Minted AD 36-37. Lugdunum (modern Lyon). 

    'Tribute Penny' type. Obv: TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS, laureate head right. Rev: PONTIF MAXIM, Livia seated right on chair with ornamented legs, holding sceptre and branch; on singular exergual line.

    This is the coin traditionally associated with the biblical “Render unto Caesar” passage. The AD 36–37 issue is the final Lugdunum emission of Tiberius’ reign, recognisable by:

    • The more refined portrait style

    • The single exergual line

    • The ornate chair legs

    • Slightly softer strike on the edges

    Currency Denarius

    Paid £45 - Bob Unger - Charing Cross

    Date 6th March 1999

    Reference s.1763 / s.567

    Current Value £550

    Size 18mm

    Weight 3.68g

    108. Tiberius (14-37) - Livia Seated

    Notes

    108. Tiberius (14-37) - Livia Seated

    Minted AD 36-37. Lugdunum (modern Lyon). 

    'Tribute Penny' type. Obv: TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS, laureate head right. Rev: PONTIF MAXIM, Livia seated right on chair with ornamented legs, holding sceptre and branch; on singular exergual line.

    This is the coin traditionally associated with the biblical “Render unto Caesar” passage. The AD 36–37 issue is the final Lugdunum emission of Tiberius’ reign, recognisable by:

    • The more refined portrait style

    • The single exergual line

    • The ornate chair legs

    • Slightly softer strike on the edges

    Currency Denarius

    Paid £140 - Harlaan Berk - Ebay auction

    Date 11th July 1999

    Reference s.1763 / s.567

    Current Value £650

    Size 18mm

    Weight 3.66g

    367. Tiberius (14-37) - Tiberius & Drusus (23 AD)

    Notes

    367. Tiberius (14-37) - Tiberius & Drusus (23 AD)

    Issed by Tiberius in honour of his deceased son Drusus (AD 23). Minted in Caesarea in Cappadocia

    This coin is part of a short-lived silver memorial series minted in Cappadocia. It marks the death of Drusus Julius Caesar, Tiberius’ son and intended heir. This was a rare occasion where a provincial mint produced silver portrait denarii for a Roman prince.

    Politically, this was a significant turning point in history - after Drusus’ death, the succession shifted toward Caligula.

    This is a scarce coin. Provincial silver from Caesarea is much less common than imperial denarii, and the Drusus portrait type is one of the rarest.

     

    Currency Silver Drachm

    Paid £160 - Kevin - Charing Cross

    Date 15th May 2001

    Reference s.1792

    Current Value £950

    Size 18mm

    Weight 3.63g

    343. Tiberius (14-37) - Divus Augustus / Livia Seated 

    Notes

    343. Tiberius (14-37) - Divus Augustus / Livia Seated 

    Minted under Tiberius to honour the deified Augustus

    This is one of the most historically important bronzes of Tiberius’ reign. It’s part of the posthumous Divus Augustus series, struck to reinforce the legitimacy of Tiberius by linking him directly to his deified predecessor.

    Obverse

    DIVVS AVGVSTVS PATER Laureate head of Augustus, facing left or right depending on the issue.

    The title PATER (“Father”) emphasises Augustus as the founding father of the Roman Empire.

    Reverse

    Livia seated right, holding a sceptre or branch, flanked by S – C (Senatus Consulto — “by decree of the Senate”).

    Livia is shown as Pax, the personification of peace, reinforcing the idea that Augustus’ legacy continues under Tiberius.

    This coin is part of a coordinated propaganda programme:

    1. Augustus is now a god

    After Augustus’ death in AD 14, the Senate declared him Divus Augustus. Coins like this helped spread the message across the empire.

    2. Tiberius legitimises his rule

    Tiberius was never popular. By issuing coins honouring Augustus, he reminded the public that:

    • He was Augustus’ adopted son

    • He was the rightful successor

    • His rule continued Augustus’ divine mission

    3. Livia’s political role

    Livia (Tiberius’ mother) is shown as Pax, symbolising:

    • Stability

    • Prosperity

    • Continuity of the imperial household

    This was important because Livia was extremely influential behind the scenes.

     

    Currency Copper As

    Paid £75 - Kevin - Charing Cross

    Date 24th February 2001

    Reference s.1788

    Current Value £150

    Size 28mm

    Weight 10.78g

    28. Tiberius (14-37) - Two Colonists Plowing 

    Notes

    28. Tiberius (14-37) - Two Colonists Plowing

    This is a colonial bronze minted at Philippi

    The reverse shows two colonists (priests?) ploughing with a yoke of oxen, representing the ritual founding of the Roman colony.

    Obverse: Head of Tiberius right

    Ploughing a sacred boundary line (the pomerium) symbolised:

    • Roman authority

    • The creation of a new civic identity

    • Agricultural prosperity

    2. Loyalty to the Julio‑Claudian dynasty

    Philippi had strong ties to Augustus, so issuing coins under Tiberius reinforced continuity.

    3. Local civic pride

    Colonial bronzes often highlight local identity rather than imperial propaganda.

     

    Currency Bronze Quadrans

    Paid £35 - Time Machine

    Date 24th February 2001

    Reference s.268

    Current Value £60

    Size 14mm

    Weight 4.53g

    Caligula (AD 37–41) was Rome’s third emperor and one of its most infamous. Born Gaius Julius Caesar Germanicus, he was the beloved son of the popular general Germanicus, and his childhood nickname “Caligula” (“little boots”) followed him into history. His reign began with promise—generous public spending, political amnesties, and strong support from the people—but soon descended into instability. Ancient writers describe erratic behaviour, financial excess, and brutal purges, though modern historians debate how much is fact and how much is hostile senatorial propaganda. Caligula promoted his own divinity, expanded palace influence, and undertook ambitious building projects, but his increasingly autocratic rule alarmed the Praetorian Guard. In January AD 41 he was assassinated, ending one of the most dramatic and controversial reigns of the early Roman Empire.

    Caligula used his coinage as bold, immediate propaganda, projecting a ruler who intended to break from Tiberius’ austerity and revive the glamour of the Julio‑Claudian house. His issues emphasise dynastic display — honouring his parents Germanicus and Agrippina, elevating his sisters to near‑divine status, and presenting himself as the rightful heir of Augustus. The famous denarius showing Caligula with Agrippina the Younger, Drusilla, and Julia Livilla is one of the most striking statements of imperial family power in the entire series. Even in bronze, Caligula’s coinage radiates confidence, ceremony, and a deliberate assertion of personal and familial prestige, capturing the theatrical character of his short, turbulent reign.

    386. Caligula (37-41) - Head of Caligula / Vesta Seated

    Notes

    386. Caligula (37-41) - Head of Caligula / Vesta Seated

    On the reverse is Vesta, veiled and draped, seated on an ornamental throne. She holds a patera (a shallow ritual dish) in her right hand and a long transverse scepter in her left. The inscription is “S-C.

    Obverse

    Head of Caligula, bare, left.

    Script: Latin

    Lettering: C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT

    Unabridged legend: Caius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, Pontifex Maximus, Tribunicia Potestate.

    Translation: Gaius Caesar, emperor, conqueror of the Germans, high priest, holder of tribunician power.

    Reverse

    Vesta, veiled and draped, seated left on throne with ornamented back and legs, holding patera in right hand and long transverse sceptre in left.

    Script: Latin

    Lettering: VESTA S C

    Unabridged legend: Vesta. Senatus Consultum

    Translation: Vesta. Decree of the senate.

    Mint Rome

    Currency Sestertius

    Paid £130 - Lee - Charing Cross

    Date September 2025

    Reference s.1803

    Current Value £160

    Size 25mm

    Weight 8.43g

    385. Caligula (37-41) - Head of Caligula / Vesta Seated

    Notes

    385. Caligula (37-41) - Head of Caligula / Vesta Seated

    On the reverse is Vesta, veiled and draped, seated on an ornamental throne. She holds a patera (a shallow ritual dish) in her right hand and a long transverse scepter in her left. The inscription is “S-C.

    Obverse

    Head of Caligula, bare, left.

    Script: Latin

    Lettering: C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT

    Unabridged legend: Caius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, Pontifex Maximus, Tribunicia Potestate.

    Translation: Gaius Caesar, emperor, conqueror of the Germans, high priest, holder of tribunician power.

    Reverse

    Vesta, veiled and draped, seated left on throne with ornamented back and legs, holding patera in right hand and long transverse sceptre in left.

    Script: Latin

    Lettering: VESTA S C

    Unabridged legend: Vesta. Senatus Consultum

    Translation: Vesta. Decree of the senate.

    Mint Rome

    Currency Sestertius

    Paid £40 - Charing Cross

    Date 3rd September 2016

    Reference s.1803

    Current Value £160

    Size 25mm

    Weight 9.43g

    105. Caligula (37-41) - Head of Caligula / Vesta Seated

    Notes

    105. Caligula (37-41) - Head of Caligula / Vesta Seated

    On the reverse is Vesta, veiled and draped, seated on an ornamental throne. She holds a patera (a shallow ritual dish) in her right hand and a long transverse scepter in her left. The inscription is “S-C.

    Obverse

    Head of Caligula, bare, left.

    Script: Latin

    Lettering: C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT

    Unabridged legend: Caius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, Pontifex Maximus, Tribunicia Potestate.

    Translation: Gaius Caesar, emperor, conqueror of the Germans, high priest, holder of tribunician power.

    Reverse

    Vesta, veiled and draped, seated left on throne with ornamented back and legs, holding patera in right hand and long transverse sceptre in left.

    Script: Latin

    Lettering: VESTA S C

    Unabridged legend: Vesta. Senatus Consultum

    Translation: Vesta. Decree of the senate.

    Mint Rome

    Currency Sestertius

    Paid £55 - Dave - Charing Cross

    Date 1st February 1999

    Reference s.1803

    Current Value £160

    Size 25mm

    Weight 10.77g

    336. Caligula (37-41) - Germanicus in Quadriga

    Notes

    336. Caligula (37-41) - Germanicus in Quadriga

    Possibly re-tooled - affects the price.

    This is a sestertius of Germanicus Caesar, issued under Caligula to honour his father, and it is one of the most historically important bronzes of the Julio‑Claudian dynasty.

    Legend: GERMANICVS CAESAR Type: Germanicus standing in a biga (two‑horse chariot), holding reins and sceptre.

    Reverse

    Legend: SIGNIS RECEPTIS Type: Germanicus standing left, holding an eagle standard and a legionary standard. Below: S C (Senatus Consulto)

    This reverse commemorates Germanicus recovering the legionary standards lost by Varus in the Teutoburg disaster — a huge propaganda moment.

    Germanicus was:

    • Nephew of Tiberius

    • Father of Caligula

    • Rome’s most beloved general

    • The man who avenged the Teutoburg Forest disaster

    • A potential emperor who died mysteriously (likely poisoned)

    Caligula issued these coins immediately upon becoming emperor to:

    • Legitimize his rule

    • Associate himself with his father’s immense popularity

    • Remind Rome of Germanicus’ military glory

    • Present himself as the rightful heir of a heroic lineage

    The SIGNIS RECEPTIS reverse celebrates Germanicus recovering the legionary standards lost to Arminius — a huge symbolic victory.

    This coin is essentially Caligula saying: “I am Germanicus’ son — I inherit his glory.”

     

    Currency Sestertius

    Paid £75 - Stacks - New York

    Date 7th February 2001

    Reference s.1820

    Current Value £800

    Size 30mm

    Weight 15.7g

    209. Caligula (37-41) - Agrippina the Elder (mother of Caligula)

    Notes

    209. Caligula (37-41) - Agrippina the Elder (mother of Caligula)

    Portrait of Agrippina the Elder, facing right Legend: AGRIPPINA MAT C CAESARIS (“Agrippina, mother of Gaius Caesar”)

    Agrippina the Elder was:

    • Wife of Germanicus

    • Mother of Caligula

    • Granddaughter of Augustus

    • A powerful, popular Roman matron

    • Exiled and starved to death by Tiberius

    Caligula issued this coin immediately upon becoming emperor to:

    • Honour his mother

    • Condemn Tiberius’ cruelty

    • Legitimize his own rule through maternal lineage

    • Present himself as the avenger of his family

    This coin is essentially Caligula saying:

    “Rome, remember my mother — and remember who wronged her.”

    Currency Denarius

    Paid £200 - Dave - Charing Cross

    Date 8th April 2000

    Reference s.1825

    Current Value £550

    Size 18mm

    Weight 2.86g

    395. Caligula (37-41) - R.C.C / Pileus 

    Notes

    395. Caligula (37-41) - R.C.C / Pileus 

    Legend: C CAESAR DIVI AVG PON MAX Meaning: Gaius Caesar (Caligula), son of the Divine Augustus, Pontifex Maximus

    Reverse

    Large pileus (freedom cap) between S C The pileus is the cap given to freed slaves — a powerful symbol of liberty.

    This is one of the most symbolically loaded coins of Caligula’s reign.

    The quadrans was the lowest denomination of Roman coinage — a tiny bronze coin used for everyday purchases (bread, fruit, lamps, street food).

    Caligula used this humble coin to send a political message.

    Why the pileus?

    The pileus (freedom cap) symbolised:

    • Manumission (freeing slaves)

    • Libertas, the Roman personification of freedom

    • The moral virtue of the emperor as protector of the people

    Caligula wanted to present himself as:

    • The liberator of Rome

    • The restorer of freedoms lost under Tiberius

    • A man of the people

    This was propaganda aimed at the masses — the people who handled quadrantes every day.

    S C = Senatus Consulto Meaning: “By decree of the Senate.”

    This shows that the Senate authorised the issue — a gesture of unity between Caligula and the Senate early in his reign, before relations deteriorated

    Currency Copper Quadrans

    Paid £36 - Charing Cross

    Date 8th October 2016

    Reference s.1804

    Current Value £200

    Size 16mm

    Weight 3.08g

    279. Drusus (37-38) - Head of Germanicus - minted under Caligula

    Notes

    279. Drusus (37-38) - Head of Germanicus - minted under Caligula

    Portrait of Drusus, facing left Legend typically: DRVSVS CAESAR TI AVG F DIVI AVG N

    Meaning: Drusus Caesar, son of Tiberius Augustus, grandson of the Divine Augustus.

    Reverse

    Large S C Legend around: CAESAR DIVI AVG PONTIF MAXIM

    This is Caligula’s title — showing that the coin was issued by Caligula in honour of Drusus.

    Drusus Julius Caesar was:

    • Son of Emperor Tiberius

    • Brother of the infamous “Castor”

    • Husband of Livilla

    • A popular and capable Roman noble

    • Murdered by Sejanus (poisoned)

    Drusus’ death was one of the darkest political murders of the Julio‑Claudian era.

    Caligula issued coins honouring:

    • His father Germanicus

    • His mother Agrippina Senior

    • His grandfather Drusus

    • His uncle Tiberius Gemellus

    • His brother Nero Caesar

    • His cousin Drusus Julius Caesar (this coin)

    This was a dynastic restoration programme.

    Caligula wanted to:

    • Rehabilitate victims of Tiberius and Sejanus

    • Present himself as the avenger of his murdered family

    • Strengthen his legitimacy by invoking his ancestry

    • Show Rome that he was restoring honour to the Julio‑Claudian line

    This Drusus As is part of that political messaging.

    Currency Copper As

    Paid £10 - Kevin - Charing Cross

    Date 22nd April 2000

    Reference s.1822

    Current Value £150

    Size 25mm

    Weight 10.01g

    Claudius (10 BC–AD 54) was Rome’s fourth emperor and one of its most unexpected. Considered shy, bookish, and physically frail, he had lived most of his life away from public affairs, yet after Caligula’s assassination the Praetorian Guard proclaimed him emperor. Claudius proved far more capable than anyone anticipated: he expanded the empire with the successful conquest of Britain, strengthened the administration by empowering freedmen as skilled civil servants, and reformed the legal system with his own careful scholarship. His reign was stable and productive, though marked by palace intrigue and the growing influence of his wives and household. Claudius’ combination of intellect, caution, and surprising decisiveness left Rome stronger than he found it, and reshaped the imperial government for generations.

    Claudius used his coinage to assert calm legitimacy after the chaos of Caligula’s assassination, and the themes he chose reveal a ruler determined to anchor himself in Rome’s deepest traditions. His issues celebrate public works, the restoration of old monuments, and the dignity of the Senate, projecting an emperor who governed through stability rather than spectacle. At the same time, Claudius honoured his illustrious family — especially his father Drusus — with types like the DE GERMANIS arch, linking his reign to Julio‑Claudian military glory. His coinage is steady, conservative, and quietly confident, reflecting a scholarly emperor who legitimised his rule through continuity, duty, and the revival of Rome’s past.

    97. Claudius (41-54) - Minerva Advancing Right, Brandishing Javelin and Holding Shield

    Notes

    97. Claudius (41-54) - Minerva Advancing Right, Bandishing Javelin and Holding Shield

    Struck at Rome around AD 50, with the reverse showing Minerva advancing right, brandishing a javelin and holding a shield. 

    Obverse

    • Bare head of Claudius left

    • Legend typically: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TRP IMP

    Reverse

    • Minerva, helmeted and draped

    • Advancing right

    • Brandishing javelin

    • Round shield on left arm

    • SC (“Senatus Consulto”) in the field

    • Mint: Rome

    This coin comes from the early years of Claudius’ reign (AD 41–54), a period of consolidation after the assassination of Caligula. Claudius expanded the empire (notably the conquest of Britain in AD 43) and strengthened administrative systems.

    Minerva on the reverse symbolises:

    • Military protection

    • Wisdom and strategy

    • Legitimacy of Claudius’ rule

    The advancing pose with javelin and shield is a dynamic, assertive type — a message that Claudius was both capable and divinely supported in defending Rome.

    These coins circulated widely across the empire and are common finds in Britain, reflecting Roman military presence and trade.

     

    Currency AE As

    Paid £15 - Charing Cross

    Date 19th June 1999

    Reference s.639

    Current Value £50

    Size 30mm

    Weight 9.14g

    40. Claudius (41-54) - Libertas Holding Pileus

    Notes

    40. Claudius (41-54) - Libertas Holding Pileus

    The reverse shows Libertas, the personification of freedom, holding the pileus — the soft conical cap given to freed slaves.

    Obverse legend

    TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TRP IMP (Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus, Pontifex Maximus, holder of Tribunician Power, Imperator)

    Reverse legend

    LIBERTAS AVGVSTA Libertas Augusta — “The Imperial Liberty”

    Reverse type:

    • Libertas standing, holding pileus (cap of freedom), SC in the field (Senatus Consulto — minted by decree of the Senate)

    This is one of the most politically meaningful coins of Claudius’ reign.

    Claudius came to power in a bizarre moment:

    • Caligula was assassinated.

    • Claudius was found hiding behind a curtain in the palace.

    • The Praetorian Guard proclaimed him emperor.

    This was not a smooth constitutional succession. Claudius needed to project legitimacy fast.

    Libertas Holding the Pileus symbolised:

    • Restoration of lawful government after Caligula’s tyranny

    • Freedom from oppression

    • Return to stability

    • A message that Claudius’ rule was sanctioned by tradition and the Senate

    The pileus itself was the cap given to slaves upon manumission. On coins, it became a powerful symbol of political freedom and lawful authority.

    Currency AE As

    Paid £25 - Frank Bakos Mail Order

    Date 6th October 1999

    Reference s.638

    Current Value £60

    Size 30mm

    Weight 9.96g

    106. Claudius (41-54) - Libertas Holding Pileus

    Notes

    106. Claudius (41-54) - Libertas Holding Pileus

    The reverse shows Libertas, the personification of freedom, holding the pileus — the soft conical cap given to freed slaves.

    Obverse legend

    TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TRP IMP (Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus, Pontifex Maximus, holder of Tribunician Power, Imperator)

    Reverse legend

    LIBERTAS AVGVSTA Libertas Augusta — “The Imperial Liberty”

    Reverse type:

    • Libertas standing, holding pileus (cap of freedom), SC in the field (Senatus Consulto — minted by decree of the Senate)

    This is one of the most politically meaningful coins of Claudius’ reign.

    Claudius came to power in a bizarre moment:

    • Caligula was assassinated.

    • Claudius was found hiding behind a curtain in the palace.

    • The Praetorian Guard proclaimed him emperor.

    This was not a smooth constitutional succession. Claudius needed to project legitimacy fast.

    Libertas Holding the Pileus symbolised:

    • Restoration of lawful government after Caligula’s tyranny

    • Freedom from oppression

    • Return to stability

    • A message that Claudius’ rule was sanctioned by tradition and the Senate

    The pileus itself was the cap given to slaves upon manumission. On coins, it became a powerful symbol of political freedom and lawful authority.

    Currency AE As

    Paid £55 - Frank Bakos Mail Order

    Date 1st August 1999

    Reference s.638

    Current Value £60

    Size 30mm

    Weight 9.93g

    115. Claudius (41-54) - Libertas Holding Pileus

    Notes

    115. Claudius (41-54) - Libertas Holding Pileus (smaller As)

    The reverse shows Libertas, the personification of freedom, holding the pileus — the soft conical cap given to freed slaves.

    Obverse legend

    TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TRP IMP (Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus, Pontifex Maximus, holder of Tribunician Power, Imperator)

    Reverse legend

    LIBERTAS AVGVSTA Libertas Augusta — “The Imperial Liberty”

    Reverse type:

    • Libertas standing, holding pileus (cap of freedom), SC in the field (Senatus Consulto — minted by decree of the Senate)

    This is one of the most politically meaningful coins of Claudius’ reign.

    Claudius came to power in a bizarre moment:

    • Caligula was assassinated.

    • Claudius was found hiding behind a curtain in the palace.

    • The Praetorian Guard proclaimed him emperor.

    This was not a smooth constitutional succession. Claudius needed to project legitimacy fast.

    Libertas Holding the Pileus symbolised:

    • Restoration of lawful government after Caligula’s tyranny

    • Freedom from oppression

    • Return to stability

    • A message that Claudius’ rule was sanctioned by tradition and the Senate

    The pileus itself was the cap given to slaves upon manumission. On coins, it became a powerful symbol of political freedom and lawful authority.

    Note, that other As coins in my collection (40,106 etc) are flatter, wider and yet weigh the same....this is thicker and smaller. This is actually quite common for Claudius bronzes — they vary wildly because the mint was using recycled bronze, inconsistent flans, and hand‑struck dies.

     

    Currency AE As

    Paid £28 - Alan Cherry - Commonwealth Instutute

    Date 17th July 1999

    Reference s.1859 / S.638

    Current Value £60

    Size 25mm (smaller but heavier)

    Weight 10.38g

    71. Claudius (41-54) - Constantia standing Holding Sceptre

    Notes

    71. Claudius (41-54) - Constantia Helmetted Standing Left, Right Hand Raised Holding Sceptre.

    The reverse features the figure of Constantia standing, holding a long spear, SC in the field (Senatus Consulto), holding a sceptre

    Constantia was the perfect message:“The emperor is steadfast, dependable, and will restore order.”

    This coin circulated heavily in Italy and the western provinces, especially Gaul and Britain — areas where Claudius needed to project stability during the conquest of Britain (AD 43). The sceptre = authority exercised calmly, the upright posture = firmness and discipline and the SC = Senate approval (important after Caligula’s autocratic excesses)

     

    Currency AE As

    Paid £50 - Dave - Charing Cross

    Date 27th March 1999

    Reference S.1857 / S.637

    Current Value £60

    Size 30mm

    Weight 11.93g

    162. Claudius (41-54) - Constantia standing Holding Sceptre

    Notes

    162. Claudius (41-54) - Constantia Helmetted Standing Left, Right Hand Raised Holding Sceptre.

    The reverse features the figure of Constantia standing, holding a long spear, SC in the field (Senatus Consulto), holding a sceptre

    Constantia was the perfect message:“The emperor is steadfast, dependable, and will restore order.”

    This coin circulated heavily in Italy and the western provinces, especially Gaul and Britain — areas where Claudius needed to project stability during the conquest of Britain (AD 43). The sceptre = authority exercised calmly, the upright posture = firmness and discipline and the SC = Senate approval (important after Caligula’s autocratic excesses)

     

    Currency AE As

    Paid £40 - Ricky - Charing Cross

    Date 10th June 2000

    Reference S.1857 / S.637

    Current Value £70

    Size 30mm

    Weight 9.98g

    157. Claudius (41-54) - DE GERMANIS on architrave of triumphal arch

    Notes

    157. Claudius (41-54) - DE GERMANIS on architrave of triumphal arch

    The “DE GERMANIS” type is not Claudius himself, but a posthumous denarius of Nero Claudius Drusus Claudius' father), struck under Claudius. This is a silver denarius,  minted at Rome, AD 41–45.

    The obverse legend is NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSVS GERMANICVS IMP, with a portrait of Nero Claudius Drusus, laureate, left.

    Drusus was father of Claudius, brother of Tiberius, a celebrated general who campaigned deep into Germania and was immensely popular with the legions. He led major campaigns across the Rhine and won victories that earned him the name “Germanicus”,  He died young after falling from his horse and was mythologised as the ideal Roman general

    Claudius revived his father’s memory to strengthen his own legitimacy.

    The reverse legend: DE GERMANIS Meaning: “Conquered the Germans.”.  A triumphal arch, surmounted by a statue of Drusus on horseback, galloping right, two trophies or military standards flanking the arch.  The architrave inscription: DE GERMANIS

     

    Currency Denarius

    Paid £250 - Frank Bakos Mail Order

    Date 10th June 2000

    Reference S.1894

    Current Value £800

    Size 20mm

    Weight 3.23g

    197. Claudius (41-54) - Claudius and Messalina?

    Notes

    197. Claudius (41-54) - Claudius and Messalina

    Possible Claudius & Messalina family group - if so, very rare.

    Messalina was:

    • Claudius’ third wife

    • Mother of Britannicus

    • Extremely influential in the early Claudian court

    • Later executed for conspiracy and scandal

    Before her downfall, she was promoted heavily in imperial propaganda as:

    • Mother of the imperial heirs

    • Symbol of fertility and dynastic continuity

    • Augusta, equal partner to Claudius

    These tiny quinarii were distributed in Rome and used for ceremonial or donative purposes - intended to promote the imperial family

    After Messalina’s execution, her coins stopped being produced, making them scarcer than other Claudian issues.

    Currency Brass Quinarius

    Paid £10 - Kevin - Charing Cross

    Date 11th March 2000

    Reference S.

    Current Value £80

    Size 15mm

    Weight 3.24g

    163. Claudius (41-54)- Antonia (D.of M Antony/Mthr Claudius 41-54) - Claudius holding simpulum

    Notes

    163. Claudius (41-54)- Antonia (D.of M Antony/Mthr Claudius 41-54) - Claudius holding simpulum

    Claudius honouring his mother Antonia. 

    Obverse - Antonia Minor, Mother of Claudius and Grandmother of Caligula, daughter of Mark Antony - Bare Headed.  Her portrait is distinctive - Long neck, hair drawn back in a tight bun, matronly, serene expression.

    This is one of the few coins ever struck with Antonia’s portrait.

    Reverse - Claudius veiled and togate, standing left, holding a simpulum (a small ladle used in priestly rituals). Legend: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TRP IMP SC in the field.

    The simpulum is a priestly implement used in sacrifices. Claudius is shown veiled → performing a religious rite, togate → in formal civic dress and holding a simpulum → emphasising his role as Pontifex Maximus (chief priest)

    This reverse proclaims Claudius’ piety, legitimacy, and continuity with Roman religious tradition.

     

    Currency AE Dupondius

    Paid £60 - Dave - Charing Cross

    Date 30th October 1999

    Reference S.1902 / S.596

    Current Value £400

    Size 28mm

    Weight 11.94g

    Nero’s reign traces one of the most dramatic arcs in Roman history, beginning with promise and ending in catastrophe. His early years, guided by Seneca and Burrus, brought stability, moderation, and cultural flourishing; Rome saw a young princeps who championed the arts, reduced harsh taxation, and maintained the political balance Augustus had created. As Nero grew more confident — and more theatrical — his rule shifted. Court intrigues, purges, and personal obsessions eroded the principate’s foundations, culminating in the Great Fire of AD 64 and the vast rebuilding programme that followed. By the late 60s, rebellion spread through the provinces, the Senate turned against him, and Nero’s flight and suicide ended the Julio‑Claudian dynasty, plunging Rome into the chaos of the Year of the Four Emperors.

    Nero’s coinage is one of the most expressive and visually distinctive of the early empire. His portraits evolve from youthful idealisation to heavy, theatrical realism, offering a near‑chronological record of his changing public persona. The reverses celebrate spectacle, prosperity, and monumental renewal: temples reopened, markets rebuilt, and the Secular Games revived. Architectural types — especially the Macellum and the Temple of Janus — are masterpieces of Roman engraving, while religious issues featuring Apollo and Jupiter Custos reinforce Nero’s self‑image as a divinely inspired artist‑emperor. His coinage is bold, confident, and unmistakably personal, capturing the cultural ambition and political volatility of his reign.

     

    19. Nero (54-68) - Salus Seated

    Notes

    19. Nero (54-68) - Nero - Salus Seated

    IMP NERO CAESAR AVGVSTVS Laureate head of Nero right

    No beard means this denarius is an early Nero SALVS seated denarius, struck AD 64, just before he adopted the beard.

    SALVS Salus (the personification of health and well‑being) seated left on an ornate throne, holding a patera in her right hand and resting her left hand on the throne.

    By AD 66–67, Nero’s regime was under strain:

    • The aftermath of the Great Fire of AD 64

    • The Pisonian conspiracy (AD 65)

    • Increasing political instability

    • Growing resentment in the Senate and army

    The SALVS type is part of Nero’s late propaganda, projecting:

    • Health of the emperor

    • Stability of the state

    • Divine protection

    • Recovery after crisis

    Salus was a reassuring symbol: Rome is safe, the emperor is well, the state endures.

    This is similar to the messaging seen in other late Nero issues (e.g., VESTA temple types), which emphasise restoration and continuity.

     

    Currency Denarius

    Paid £80 - Bob Unger - Charing Cross

    Date 3rd March 1999

    Reference S.1945 / S.675

    Current Value £350

    Size 20mm

    Weight 3.27g

    236. Nero (54-68) - Salus Seated

    Notes

    236. Nero (54-68) - Nero - Salus Seated

    IMP NERO CAESAR AVGVSTVS Laureate head of Nero right

    No beard means this denarius is an early Nero SALVS seated denarius, struck AD 64, just before he adopted the beard.

    SALVS Salus (the personification of health and well‑being) seated left on an ornate throne, holding a patera in her right hand and resting her left hand on the throne.

    By AD 66–67, Nero’s regime was under strain:

    • The aftermath of the Great Fire of AD 64

    • The Pisonian conspiracy (AD 65)

    • Increasing political instability

    • Growing resentment in the Senate and army

    The SALVS type is part of Nero’s late propaganda, projecting:

    • Health of the emperor

    • Stability of the state

    • Divine protection

    • Recovery after crisis

    Salus was a reassuring symbol: Rome is safe, the emperor is well, the state endures.

    This is similar to the messaging seen in other late Nero issues (e.g., VESTA temple types), which emphasise restoration and continuity.

     

    Currency Denarius

    Paid £75 - Kevin - Charing Cross

    Date 18rd December 1999 

    Reference S.1945 / S.675

    Current Value £350

    Size 20mm

    Weight 3.06g

    73. Nero (54-68) - Salus Seated

    Notes

    73. Nero (54-68) - Nero - Salus Seated

    IMP NERO CAESAR AVGVSTVS Laureate head of Nero right

    No beard means this denarius is an early Nero SALVS seated denarius, struck AD 64, just before he adopted the beard.

    SALVS Salus (the personification of health and well‑being) seated left on an ornate throne, holding a patera in her right hand and resting her left hand on the throne.

    By AD 66–67, Nero’s regime was under strain:

    • The aftermath of the Great Fire of AD 64

    • The Pisonian conspiracy (AD 65)

    • Increasing political instability

    • Growing resentment in the Senate and army

    The SALVS type is part of Nero’s late propaganda, projecting:

    • Health of the emperor

    • Stability of the state

    • Divine protection

    • Recovery after crisis

    Salus was a reassuring symbol: Rome is safe, the emperor is well, the state endures.

    This is similar to the messaging seen in other late Nero issues (e.g., VESTA temple types), which emphasise restoration and continuity.

     

    Currency Denarius

    Paid £135 - Bob Unger - Charing Cross

    Date 27th March 1999 

    Reference S.1945 / S.675

    Current Value £450

    Size 20mm

    Weight 2.96g

    133. Nero (54-68) - Jupiter Seated

    Notes

    133. Nero (54-68) - Jupiter Seated

    Minted in AD 64–65 (immediately after the Pisonian Conspiracy)

    • Clean‑shaven Nero

    • Laureate head right

    • Early post‑Fire portrait style (before he adopted the beard)

    Reverse - IVPITER CVSTOS

    Jupiter seated left on a high‑backed throne, holding:

    • Thunderbolt in right hand

    • Long sceptre in left

    This is one of Nero’s most dramatic and politically charged reverses.

    This denarius is directly tied to the Pisonian Conspiracy of AD 65, a major plot to assassinate Nero. After the conspiracy was uncovered, Nero issued coins proclaiming Jupiter Custos — Jupiter the Protector

    The message was clear:

    “Jupiter has protected me from treason.”

    This coin is pure political theatre:

    • Nero presents himself as divinely protected

    • Jupiter is shown enthroned, powerful, vigilant

    • The legend IVPITER CVSTOS (“Jupiter the Guardian”) reinforces the idea that the gods favour Nero

    It is one of the most important propaganda issues of Nero’s reign.

     

    Currency Denarius

    Paid £190 - Bob Unger - Luton Coin Fair

    Date 5th September 1999 1999 

    Reference S.1943

    Current Value £650

    Size 20mm

    Weight 3.15g

    32. Nero (54-68) - Jupiter Seated

    Notes

    32. Nero (54-68) - Jupiter Seated

    Minted in AD 64–65 (immediately after the Pisonian Conspiracy)

    • Clean‑shaven Nero

    • Laureate head right

    • Early post‑Fire portrait style (before he adopted the beard)

    Reverse - IVPITER CVSTOS

    Jupiter seated left on a high‑backed throne, holding:

    • Thunderbolt in right hand

    • Long sceptre in left

    This is one of Nero’s most dramatic and politically charged reverses.

    This denarius is directly tied to the Pisonian Conspiracy of AD 65, a major plot to assassinate Nero. After the conspiracy was uncovered, Nero issued coins proclaiming Jupiter Custos — Jupiter the Protector

    The message was clear:

    “Jupiter has protected me from treason.”

    This coin is pure political theatre:

    • Nero presents himself as divinely protected

    • Jupiter is shown enthroned, powerful, vigilant

    • The legend IVPITER CVSTOS (“Jupiter the Guardian”) reinforces the idea that the gods favour Nero

    It is one of the most important propaganda issues of Nero’s reign.

     

    Currency Denarius

    Paid £55 - Time Machine

    Date 1st March 1999 

    Reference S.1943

    Current Value £250

    Size 20mm

    Weight 3.07g

    235. Nero (54-68) - Young Nero & Claudius

    Notes

    235. Nero (54-68) - Young Nero & Claudius

    This is one of Nero’s earliest silver issues — struck while he was still a teenager and before he adopted the heavier portrait style.It is Very different from the later “fat Nero” portrait.

    Reverse legend : TI CLAVD CAESAR AVG GERM

    The reverse features the laureate head of Divus Claudius — the deified emperor — because Nero had him deified immediately after his death.

    It was minted in Caesarea, Cappadociae

    Currency Didrachm

    Paid £225 - Mike Vosper

    Date 5th August 2000 

    Reference S.2054

    Current Value £450

    Size 20mm

    Weight 7.38g

    125. Nero (54-68) - Victory Flying, SPQR on Shield

    Notes

    125. Nero (54-68) - Victory Alighting Left, Wings Spread, SPQR on Shield

    Victory is shown in motion — not standing, not crowning, but flying — symbolising Swift triumph, Divine favour, Military success and the emperor’s unstoppable momentum

    Victory carrying the SPQR shield means “Victory belongs to Rome itself — the Senate and the People.”

    This was especially important during Nero’s later reign, when the Pisonian conspiracy (AD 65) had shaken confidence.  Nero needed to show unity between emperor, Senate, and people

     

    Currency Copper As

    Paid £125 - Mike Vosper

    Date 14th August 1999 

    Reference S.1976

    Current Value £150

    Size 30mm

    Weight 10.70g

    81. Nero (54-68) - Antioch - Eagle on Thunderbolt

    Notes

    81. Nero (54-68) - Antioch - Eagle on Thunderbolt

    The Antioch tetradrachms were the backbone of eastern Roman commerce. The eagle on thunderbolt is a long‑standing Seleucid and Syrian symbol adopted by Rome:

    • Eagle = Jupiter

    • Thunderbolt = divine authority

    • Standing proudly = stability of Roman rule in the East

    Nero’s portrait on the obverse and the eagle on the reverse created a powerful message:

    “Nero rules with the authority of Jupiter.”

    These coins circulated widely in Syria, Judaea, and Asia Minor — including during the years leading up to the Jewish Revolt (AD 66).

    Currency AR Tetradrachm

    Paid £45 - Dave - Charing Cross

    Date 5th June 1999 

    Reference S.2003 / S.700

    Current Value £250

    Size 20mm

    Weight 14.51g

    Galba (AD 68–69) was the first emperor of the turbulent Year of the Four Emperors, rising to power after leading a revolt against Nero. A seasoned soldier and former governor of Spain, he entered Rome promising a return to discipline, senatorial authority, and traditional Republican values. His brief reign was marked by austerity and unpopular financial measures, which quickly alienated both the Praetorian Guard and the legions who had expected rewards for supporting him. After only seven months in power, Galba was assassinated in the Forum by Otho’s supporters, his death symbolising the deep instability gripping Rome. Despite his short rule, Galba’s coins and policies reflect a determined—if ultimately unsuccessful—attempt to restore order after Nero’s chaotic final years.

    Galba struck coinage that reads like a manifesto for restoring Roman virtue after Nero’s excesses. His types emphasise austere Republican ideals — the corona civica, SPQR inscriptions, and personifications of Roma and Victory — all signalling a ruler who claimed legitimacy through discipline, tradition, and service to the state. Even his portraits are deliberately stark and unadorned, projecting the image of an older, battle‑hardened soldier rather than a glamorous princeps. Galba’s coinage is principled, moralising, and intensely political, capturing a brief attempt to steer Rome back toward old values during the violent opening act of the Year of the Four Emperors.

    65. Galba (68-69) - SPQR / OB / C S within Oak‑Wreath

    Notes

    65. Galba (68-69) - SPQR / OB / C S within oak‑wreath

    Reverse:

    • SPQR = Senatus Populusque Romanus

    • OB C S = Ob Cives Servatos → “For having saved the citizens”

    The oak wreath (corona civica) was traditionally awarded to someone who saved Roman citizens’ lives. Galba used it as propaganda to legitimise his rule during the chaotic Year of the Four Emperors.

     

    Currency Denarius

    Paid £180 - Mike Vosper - Commonwealth Institute

    Date 22nd May 1999 

    Reference S.2109

    Current Value £550

    Size 20mm

    Weight 3.24g

    165. Galba (68-69) - SPQR / OB / C S within Oak‑Wreath

    Notes

    165. Galba (68-69) - SPQR / OB / C S within Oak‑Wreath

    Reverse:

    • SPQR = Senatus Populusque Romanus

    • OB C S = Ob Cives Servatos → “For having saved the citizens”

    The oak wreath (corona civica) was traditionally awarded to someone who saved Roman citizens’ lives. Galba used it as propaganda to legitimise his rule during the chaotic Year of the Four Emperors.

    Currency Denarius

    Paid £75 - Stankov - Yahoo

    Date 15th November 1999 

    Reference S.2109

    Current Value £400

    Size 20mm

    Weight 3.25g

    101. Galba (68-69) - Roma Standing, Foot on Globe

    Notes

    101. Galba (68-69) - Roma Standing, Foot on Globe

    • Mint: Tarraco, Hispania

    • Reference: RIC I 45

    • Obverse: GALBA IMPERATOR — laureate head of Galba right, globe at point of neck

    • Reverse: ROMA VICTRIX — Roma standing left, helmeted, in military dress, right foot on globe, holding branch in right hand and leaning on spear with left hand

    Galba came to power after leading a revolt against Nero. By the time he reached Rome:

    • The empire was unstable

    • Legions were divided in loyalty

    • Provincial governors were plotting

    • The Praetorian Guard was restless

    • Nero’s financial mismanagement had left the treasury empty

    Galba needed to prove legitimacy fast, especially because he had no dynastic claim. Coins were the quickest way to broadcast a message across the empire — every soldier, merchant, and citizen handled them daily.

    This denarius was struck at Tarraco (Spain), one of the earliest mints to support Galba. It was part of his propaganda campaign to present himself as the restorer of Roman strength after Nero’s excesses.

     

    🗡️ What the Imagery Means

    ROMA VICTRIX — “Rome Victorious”

    This inscription wasn’t casual. It was a statement:

    Rome is still strong. Rome still dominates the world. And Galba is the man who restored that strength.

    After Nero’s chaotic final years, this was exactly the reassurance the empire needed.

    Roma Standing Left

    Roma is the personification of the Roman state — not a goddess, but the embodiment of Roman military virtue. She appears:

    • Helmeted → ready for war

    • In military dress → emphasising discipline and strength

    • Holding a branch → symbolising peace through victory

    • Leaning on a spear → Rome is armed, but controlled

    This is Rome at her best: powerful, calm, victorious.

    Foot on Globe

    This is the most important element.

    The globe symbolises dominion over the entire known world. By placing Roma’s foot on it, the coin declares:

    Rome rules the world. Galba has restored that rule. The empire is stable again.

    In a time of civil war, this was a bold claim — almost defiant.

    Obverse: GALBA IMPERATOR

    Galba uses the title Imperator rather than Caesar or Augustus. This emphasises:

    • Military authority

    • Victory in battle

    • Legitimacy through the army

    It’s a reminder that Galba came to power through revolt, not inheritance.

     

    Currency Denarius

    Paid £160 - Bob Unger - Charing Cross

    Date 26th June 1999 

    Reference S.  RSC. 221

    Current Value £500

    Size 15mm

    Weight 3.33g

    306. Galba (68-69) - Libertas standing between two ears of corn

    Notes

    306. Galba (68-69) - Libertas standing between two ears of corn

      Mint:Rome

      Legend: LIBERTAS PR

      The figure of Libertas standing left, draped and holding a pileus (freedom cap), flanked by two ears of corn (one on each side)

      Galba’s revolt against Nero was framed as a restoration of liberty to Rome. Libertas was the ideological centrepiece of his propaganda.

      The ears of corn introduce a second message: grain supply and food security. Rome’s grain supply had been dangerously unstable under Nero. By pairing Libertas with agricultural abundance, Galba was signalling freedom from tyranny, a return of stable grain supply and the restoration of public welfare

      This combination is unique to Galba and appears only briefly during his reign. The message is essentially “Galba has restored liberty and secured Rome’s food supply.”

      This was aimed at both the Senate and the urban plebs, who depended on the grain dole.

      PR on a Galba reverse reading LIBERTAS PR means Libertas Publica — “Public Freedom.”

      Currency Denarius

      Paid £150 - Dave - Charing Cross

      Date 10th June 2000 

      Reference S. 2105

      Current Value £500

      Size 15mm

      Weight 3.32g

      110. Galba (68-69) - Liberty Standing

      Notes

      110. Galba (68-69) - Liberty Standing

        Rome mint.

        Legend: SER GALBA IMP CAES AVG TR P - meaning: “Servius Galba, Imperator, Caesar, Augustus, with tribunician power.”

        The portrait is the laureate head of Galba, right — typically stern, aged, and realistic. Galba deliberately rejected Nero’s youthful idealism; his portraits show deep lines, sagging jowls, and a military austerity.

        The reverse legend: LIBERTAS AVGVS S C - ("Libertas of the Emperor; by decree of the Senate.”).  It shows a figure of Libertas, draped, standing left, Pileus (freedom cap) in right hand and rod (vindicta) in left hand

        Libertas was the Roman personification of freedom from tyranny. Under Galba, this imagery was politically loaded: he had risen in revolt against Nero, promising the restoration of liberty to Rome. Even after becoming emperor, he continued to use this messaging.

        Currency AE As

        Paid £70 - Frank Bakos

        Date 13th July 1999 

        Reference S.2134 / S.729

        Current Value £500

        Size 26mm

        Weight 9.93g

        Otho (AD 69) was the second emperor of the chaotic Year of the Four Emperors, ruling for just three months. A polished courtier and former governor, he had once been close to Nero and even adopted some of his fashions — including the carefully styled wig he wore to conceal thinning hair, a detail noted by ancient historians and often repeated ever since. After Galba refused to adopt him as heir, Otho orchestrated a swift coup and was proclaimed emperor by the Praetorian Guard. His short reign aimed at stability and reconciliation, but Vitellius’ legions marched on Italy, forcing Otho into a desperate civil war. Defeated at the First Battle of Bedriacum, he chose suicide rather than prolong bloodshed, leaving a legacy of dignity and tragic honour in a year otherwise marked by turmoil.

        Otho struck coinage that projects dignity, calm, and a deliberate promise of stability in the midst of civil war. His portraits are unusually refined — elegant hair, composed features — signalling a ruler who wished to present himself as cultured and capable despite the turmoil of AD 69. The reverses emphasise peace and security, especially the celebrated PAX ORBIS TERRARVM and SECURITAS types, which proclaim his intention to restore order after Galba’s harsh rule and Vitellius’ looming threat. Otho’s coinage is polished, hopeful, and surprisingly serene, capturing a brief reign defined by restraint, honour, and a sincere attempt to steady the empire.

        1. Otho (69) - Pax holding Olive Branch and Sceptre

        Notes

        1. Otho (69) - Pax holding Olive Branch and Sceptre

          Legend: IMP M OTHO CAESAR AVG TR P (“Imperator Marcus Otho, Caesar Augustus, with tribunician power.”)

          His portrait shows the bare head of Otho, right — distinctive for its carefully groomed hair (wig) and slightly idealised features.

          The reverse features Pax standing left, in her right hand is an olive branch (symbol of peace).  In her left hand is a caduceus or sceptre 

          Otho came to power during the chaotic Year of the Four Emperors.

          This reverse proclaims that Otho would restore worldwide peace after Nero’s collapse and Galba’s assassination.

          The olive branch is the standard Roman symbol of peace; the sceptre/caduceus represents authority and harmony.

          Legend: PAX ORBIS TERRARVM - (“Peace of the World.”)

          Otho ruled for only three months (January–April AD 69). His coinage is limited to a small number of types, all heavy with propaganda:

          • PAX ORBIS TERRARVM – world peace

          • SECVRITAS P R – security of the Roman people

          • VESTA – stability and tradition

          The Securitas type is the second most common after Pax, but still scarce due to the brevity of his reign.

          Currency Denarius

          Paid £295 - Coincraft

          Date 23rd January 1999 

          Reference S.2156 / S.743

          Current Value £850

          Size 24mm

          Weight 3.31g

          79. Otho (69) - Securitas Draped, standing left

          Notes

          79. Otho (69) - Securitas Draped, standing left

            Legend: IMP OTHO CAESAR AVG TR P

            Otho’s portraits are distinctive: carefully groomed hair (wig), slightly idealised features, and a refined, almost Julio‑Claudian look.

            The reverse legend: SECVRITAS P R - meaning “Security of the Roman People”, features Securitas, draped, standing left, right hand holding a wreath and in the left hand a sceptre

            This type proclaims stability, safety, and calm during a moment of extreme political crisis. Otho had just seized power after Galba’s assassination; Vitellius was marching on Italy. The message is clear: Otho promises security to the Roman people despite the turmoil.

            Otho ruled for only three months (January–April AD 69). His coinage is limited to a small number of types, all heavy with propaganda:

            • PAX ORBIS TERRARVM – world peace

            • SECVRITAS P R – security of the Roman people

            • VESTA – stability and tradition

            The Securitas type is the second most common after Pax, but still scarce due to the brevity of his reign.

             

            Currency Denarius

            Paid £350 - Bob Unger - Charing Cross

            Date 5th June 1999 

            Reference S.2162 / S.744

            Current Value £1,200

            Size 24mm

            Weight 3.27g

            Vitellius (AD 69) was the third emperor of the Year of the Four Emperors, raised to power by the legions of Germany who proclaimed him emperor after Nero’s fall. A seasoned administrator and former governor, he entered the struggle for the throne as a compromise candidate but quickly became swept up in the civil war that defined the year. After defeating Otho at Bedriacum, Vitellius took control of Rome, presenting himself as a traditional, approachable ruler and emphasising his priestly background and the loyalty of the German legions. His reign, however, was short‑lived: Vespasian’s eastern armies advanced on Italy, and Vitellius was overthrown and killed in December AD 69. Though remembered for excess and mismanagement, his brief rule reflects the deep instability of Rome during one of its most violent political crises.

            Vitellius used his coinage to proclaim legitimacy in a year defined by chaos, leaning heavily on divine favour and the loyalty of the German legions who raised him to power. His portraits are broad, weighty, and unmistakably realistic, projecting a ruler grounded in military authority rather than dynastic glamour. The reverses emphasise Jupiter’s protection — especially the powerful IVPPITER VICTOR type — along with Victory, priestly emblems, and titles that underline his role as Germanicus. Vitellius’ coinage is assertive, martial, and intensely symbolic, capturing a brief reign that sought to anchor itself in divine sanction and battlefield loyalty during the storm of AD 69.

            99. Vitellius (69) - Tripod-Lebes surmounted by dolphin and Raven Beneath

            Notes

            99. Vitellius (69) - Tripod-Lebes surmounted by dolphin and Raven Beneath

            Obverse Legend: A VITELLIVS GERMANICVS IMP, meaning: “Aulus Vitellius Germanicus, Imperator.”. The title Germanicus honours the German legions who proclaimed him emperor.

            The reverse legend: XV VIR SACR FAC translates to “The Fifteen Men for Conducting Sacred Rites.”. A Tripod‑Lebes was a ceremonial tripod used in Roman religious rites. A dolphin Lies across the top of the tripod with a raven standing beneath.

            This reverse refers directly to Vitellius’ membership in the Quindecimviri Sacris Faciundis, one of Rome’s most prestigious priestly colleges. Vitellius before his elevation had been a member of the college of quindecimviri sacris faciundis. 

            The tripod represents purification, sacrifice, and sacred consultation. The dolphin is associated with Apollo and prophecy and the raven is a bird of omens, linked to augury.

            Together, they form a religious‑prophetic tableau, asserting Vitellius’ legitimacy through sacred authority rather than military conquest alone.

            Vitellius was appointed commander in Lower Germany by Galba. His troops proclaimed him emperor in January AD 69. He defeated Otho at Bedriacum and entered Rome as Augustus. However, Vespasian’s forces later invaded Italy; Vitellius was captured and killed in December AD 69.

            Vitellius’ coinage always includes the title Germanicus, honouring the legions who raised him to power. His religious office was one of the few respectable elements of his reputation, so he emphasised it heavily on his denarii.

            Currency Denarius

            Paid £115 - Harlaan Berk - Ebay Auction

            Date 21st June 1999 

            Reference S.2201 / S.754

            Current Value £700

            Size 16mm

            Weight 3.15g

            64. Vitellius (69) - Tripod-Lebes surmounted by dolphin and Raven Beneath

            Notes

            64. Vitellius (69) - Tripod-Lebes surmounted by dolphin and Raven Beneath

            Obverse Legend: A VITELLIVS GERMANICVS IMP, meaning: “Aulus Vitellius Germanicus, Imperator.”. The title Germanicus honours the German legions who proclaimed him emperor.

            The reverse legend: XV VIR SACR FAC translates to “The Fifteen Men for Conducting Sacred Rites.”. A Tripod‑Lebes was a ceremonial tripod used in Roman religious rites. A dolphin Lies across the top of the tripod with a raven standing beneath.

            This reverse refers directly to Vitellius’ membership in the Quindecimviri Sacris Faciundis, one of Rome’s most prestigious priestly colleges. Vitellius before his elevation had been a member of the college of quindecimviri sacris faciundis. 

            The tripod represents purification, sacrifice, and sacred consultation. The dolphin is associated with Apollo and prophecy and the raven is a bird of omens, linked to augury.

            Together, they form a religious‑prophetic tableau, asserting Vitellius’ legitimacy through sacred authority rather than military conquest alone.

            Vitellius was appointed commander in Lower Germany by Galba. His troops proclaimed him emperor in January AD 69. He defeated Otho at Bedriacum and entered Rome as Augustus. However, Vespasian’s forces later invaded Italy; Vitellius was captured and killed in December AD 69.

            Vitellius’ coinage always includes the title Germanicus, honouring the legions who raised him to power. His religious office was one of the few respectable elements of his reputation, so he emphasised it heavily on his denarii.

            Currency Denarius

            Paid £130 - Mike Vosper - Commonwealth Institute

            Date 22nd May1999 

            Reference S.2201 / S.754

            Current Value £950

            Size 16mm

            Weight 3.23g

            326. Vitellius (69) - Tripod-Lebes surmounted by dolphin and Raven Beneath

            Notes

            326. Vitellius (69) - Tripod-Lebes surmounted by dolphin and Raven Beneath

            Obverse Legend: A VITELLIVS GERMANICVS IMP, meaning: “Aulus Vitellius Germanicus, Imperator.”. The title Germanicus honours the German legions who proclaimed him emperor.

            The reverse legend: XV VIR SACR FAC translates to “The Fifteen Men for Conducting Sacred Rites.”. A Tripod‑Lebes was a ceremonial tripod used in Roman religious rites. A dolphin Lies across the top of the tripod with a raven standing beneath.

            This reverse refers directly to Vitellius’ membership in the Quindecimviri Sacris Faciundis, one of Rome’s most prestigious priestly colleges. Vitellius before his elevation had been a member of the college of quindecimviri sacris faciundis. 

            The tripod represents purification, sacrifice, and sacred consultation. The dolphin is associated with Apollo and prophecy and the raven is a bird of omens, linked to augury.

            Together, they form a religious‑prophetic tableau, asserting Vitellius’ legitimacy through sacred authority rather than military conquest alone.

            Vitellius was appointed commander in Lower Germany by Galba. His troops proclaimed him emperor in January AD 69. He defeated Otho at Bedriacum and entered Rome as Augustus. However, Vespasian’s forces later invaded Italy; Vitellius was captured and killed in December AD 69.

            Vitellius’ coinage always includes the title Germanicus, honouring the legions who raised him to power. His religious office was one of the few respectable elements of his reputation, so he emphasised it heavily on his denarii.

            Currency Denarius

            Paid £187 - Andy Bennetts - Mail Order

            Date 3rd December 2000 

            Reference S.2201 / S.754

            Current Value £950

            Size 16mm

            Weight 3.23g

            118. Vitellius (69) - Jupiter seated, holding victory & sceptre

            Notes

            118. Vitellius (69) - Jupiter seated, holding victory & sceptre

             

            Obverse legend: A VITELLIVS GERMANICVS IMP (“Aulus Vitellius Germanicus, Imperator.”).  The title Germanicus honours the German legions who proclaimed him emperor.

            Reverse legend: IVPPITER VICTOR 

            The reverse features Jupiter seated left, naked to the waist.  His right hand holds Victory (a winged figure), and in his left had is a Long sceptre

            Jupiter Victor = Jupiter the bringer of victory.  The Victory figure in Jupiter’s hand proclaims divine support for Vitellius’ military success and the sceptre reinforces Jupiter’s supreme authority

            Vitellius had just defeated Otho at the First Battle of Bedriacum. This coin celebrates that victory and asserts that Jupiter himself favoured Vitellius’ rise.

            Currency Denarius

            Paid £100 - Bob Unger - Charing Cross

            Date 24th July 1999  

            Reference S.2197 

            Current Value £950

            Size 16mm

            Weight 3.23g

            362. Vitellius (69) - Libertas standing

            Notes

            362. Vitellius (69) - Libertas standing

            Minted in Tarraco, Hispania (modern Tarragona, Spain)

            Reverse legend: LIBERTAS RESTITVTA.  The coin features Libertas standing front, head right, Draped.  In her right hand is a pileus (freedom cap) and a Rod (vindicta) in her left.

            “Liberty Restored.” This is one of Vitellius’ strongest political messages. After defeating Otho and entering Rome, Vitellius wanted to present himself as the restorer of traditional Roman freedoms and senatorial authority.

            The pileus and rod are the classic symbols of manumission — freeing a slave — used metaphorically to claim that Vitellius freed Rome from tyranny.

            Vitellius was commander in Lower Germany under Galba. His troops proclaimed him emperor in early AD 69. He defeated Otho at Bedriacum and entered Rome as Augustus. Later defeated by Vespasian’s forces and killed in December AD 69.

            The Libertas Restituta type belongs to his earliest issues, minted at Tarraco, and reflects his attempt to legitimise his rule through constitutional and moral restoration.

             

            Currency Denarius (Provincial series)

            Paid £100 - Dave - Charing Cross

            Date 7th April 2001  

            Reference S.2188

            Current Value £950

            Size 16mm

            Weight 3.23g

            387. Vitellius (69) - Concordia

            Notes

            387. Vitellius (69) - Concordia

            Reverse legend: CONCORDIA AVG - meaning “Harmony of the Roman People.”

            The coin features Concordia seated left, right hand holding a Patera (libation dish) and in the left hand a cornucopia (abundance)

            This type proclaims unity and harmony between the emperor, the Senate and the Roman people

            Vitellius had just defeated Otho and entered Rome as Augustus. With Vespasian rising in the East, Vitellius needed to project stability and legitimacy. Concordia was the perfect message: Rome is united under his rule.

            The CONCORDIA type belongs to his Rome‑mint issues, struck during his brief hold on power

            Currency Denarius

            Paid £170 - Dave - Charing Cross

            Date 7th April 2001  

            Reference S.2188

            Current Value £700

            Size 16mm

            Weight 3.23g

            Vespasian’s rule restored solidity and sanity to an empire exhausted by civil war. Rising from the chaos of AD 69, he governed with the practical discipline of a career soldier and the shrewdness of a provincial administrator. His priorities were clear: rebuild Rome’s finances, re‑establish the authority of the Senate, and repair the physical and moral fabric of the capital. Vespasian revived long‑neglected offices, tightened fiscal control, and poured resources into monumental construction — most famously the Flavian Amphitheatre, a symbol of stability and civic pride rising from Nero’s former pleasure grounds. His reign marked a decisive return to order, modesty, and administrative competence, laying the foundations for a dynasty that would guide Rome through a decade of recovery and renewal.

            Vespasian rebuilt Rome’s authority after the collapse of 69, and his coinage is one of the clearest expressions of that restoration. His portraits are firm, rugged, and unmistakably realistic — a deliberate rejection of Julio‑Claudian idealisation — projecting a seasoned soldier‑emperor who earned power through discipline and service. The reverses emphasise victory, stability, and renewal: IVDAEA CAPTA proclaims his triumph in the East, while types for Pax, Concordia, and the rebuilding of Rome signal the beginning of a new, orderly era. Vespasian’s coinage is practical, confident, and deeply political, capturing the moment the Flavian dynasty re‑anchored the empire after a year of civil war.

            21. Vespasian (69-79) - Sacrificial Instruments

            Notes

            21. Vespasian (69-79) - Sacrificial Instruments

            This denarius shows on its reverse a set of sacrificial instruments — the simpulum (ladle), aspergillum (sprinkler), urceus (jug), and lituus (augural staff). These objects are the traditional emblems of Rome’s priestly colleges, especially the augurate and pontificate, and their appearance on Vespasian’s silver coinage is a deliberate assertion of religious legitimacy.

            After the upheaval of AD 69, Vespasian emphasised his role as restorer of Rome’s sacred traditions, presenting himself as a pious guardian of the state’s ancient rites. This type fits neatly into his broader programme of stability, renewal, and the re‑anchoring of imperial authority in Rome’s traditional institutions.

            On the denarius, the sacrificial instruments are sharply engraved and neatly arranged, making this one of the more elegant Flavian religious reverses. Vespasian’s portrait is typically rugged and realistic — heavy jaw, lined features, and a soldier’s bearing — reinforcing the image of a practical, dutiful emperor.

            These denarii were struck in large numbers and circulated widely, helping to broadcast the message that the Flavian dynasty was restoring Rome’s moral and religious order.

            Currency Denarius

            Paid £60 - Bob Unger - Charing Cross

            Date 13th March 1999  

            Reference S.2282 / S.770

            Current Value £450

            Size 16mm

            Weight 3.34g

            69. Vespasian (69-79) - Sacrificial Instruments

            Notes

            69. Vespasian (69-79) - Sacrificial Instruments

            This denarius shows on its reverse a set of sacrificial instruments — the simpulum (ladle), aspergillum (sprinkler), urceus (jug), and lituus (augural staff). These objects are the traditional emblems of Rome’s priestly colleges, especially the augurate and pontificate, and their appearance on Vespasian’s silver coinage is a deliberate assertion of religious legitimacy.

            After the upheaval of AD 69, Vespasian emphasised his role as restorer of Rome’s sacred traditions, presenting himself as a pious guardian of the state’s ancient rites. This type fits neatly into his broader programme of stability, renewal, and the re‑anchoring of imperial authority in Rome’s traditional institutions.

            On the denarius, the sacrificial instruments are sharply engraved and neatly arranged, making this one of the more elegant Flavian religious reverses. Vespasian’s portrait is typically rugged and realistic — heavy jaw, lined features, and a soldier’s bearing — reinforcing the image of a practical, dutiful emperor.

            These denarii were struck in large numbers and circulated widely, helping to broadcast the message that the Flavian dynasty was restoring Rome’s moral and religious order.

            Currency Denarius

            Paid £65 - Bob Unger - Charing Cross

            Date 29th May 1999  

            Reference S.2282 / S.770

            Current Value £550

            Size 16mm

            Weight 3.39g

            29. Vespasian (69-79) - Winged Caduceus

            Notes

            29. Vespasian (69-79) - Winged Caduceus

            The caduceus specifically symbolises Mercury (commerce, trade, safe travel), prosperity and economic revival, and a peaceful exchange after the Year of the Four Emperors

            It’s essentially Vespasian saying: “Trade is open again; Rome is stable.”

            Currency Denarius

            Paid £42 - Bob Unger - Charing Cross

            Date 20th March 1999  

            Reference S.2306

            Current Value £250

            Size 16mm

            Weight 3.39g

            67. Vespasian (69-79) - Nike advancing right. Judaea Capta commemorative

            Notes

            67. Vespasian (69-79) - Nike advancing right. Judaea Capta commemorative

            Mint: Caesarea Maritima (Judaea)

            Date: AD 69–70 (immediately after the fall of Jerusalem)

            Nike advancing right crowning a standard a signature Caesarea Maritima Judaea Capta type.

            Caesarea was the provincial capital of Judaea and the base of the Roman legions during the Jewish War.

            Currency Didrachm

            Paid £60 - Bob Unger - Charing Cross

            Date 25th May 1999  

            Reference S.2270

            Current Value £550

            Size 20mm

            Weight 6.60g

            27. Vespasian (69-79) - Simpulum, Sprinkler, Jug and Lituus

            Notes

            27. Vespasian (69-79) - Simpulum, Sprinkler, Jug and Lituus

            This reverse type is one of the classic Flavian religious issues, and it appears on denarii and provincial silver (including didrachms). The four instruments are:

            • Simpulum – the ladle used in sacrificial rites

            • Aspergillum (sprinkler) – used to sprinkle holy water

            • Urceus (jug) – vessel for libations

            • Lituus – the curved augural staff of the priesthood

            Together, these symbols represent the emperor’s authority as Pontifex Maximus (chief priest) and his role in restoring Rome’s religious order after the chaos of AD 69. Vespasian used these designs heavily to project stability, piety, and legitimacy.

            Currency Denarius

            Paid £40 - Pick Bag - Charing Cross

            Date 17th April 1999  

            Reference S.2282

            Current Value £350

            Size 16mm

            Weight 3.16g

            17. Vespasian (69-79) - Victory advancing, Placing Wreath on Standard and holding Palm

            Notes

            17. Vespasian (69-79) - Victory advancing, Placing Wreath on Standard and holding Palm

            This denarius of Vespasian, struck at Rome between AD 69–79, carries one of the emperor’s most important propaganda messages.

            The reverse shows Victory advancing to the right, placing a wreath upon a military standard while holding a palm branch, a dynamic scene celebrating the loyalty and triumph of the Roman legions who secured Vespasian’s rise after the turmoil of the Year of the Four Emperors.

            By depicting Victory in motion, actively crowning the standard, the coin emphasises both ongoing military success and the restoration of stability under the new Flavian regime.

            For contemporary Romans, this imagery reinforced Vespasian’s legitimacy and the renewed strength of the empire; for modern collectors, it represents one of the most expressive and historically charged Victory types of the period.

            Currency Denarius

            Paid £29 - Dave - Charing Cross

            Date 6th March 1999  

            Reference S.2317

            Current Value £150

            Size 16mm

            Weight 3.00g