My Twelve Caesars

The following are the coins of the "Twelve Caesars" that I own. In the case of more than one that was minted under the same Emperor, I chose one of the coins that I cleaned myself or one that I find more interesting. This is not my main course of study which lies with the Emperor Elagabalus who ruled from 218-222 AD, concentrating on his coins that were minted in Markianopolis (Marcianopolis). Most of my information that I have learned concerning the Twelve Caesars came from Michael Grant's book by the same name, the details of which can be found on my references page. This book was based mainly on a book written by emperor Hadrian's personal secretary Suetonius called On the Life of the Caesars, or The Twelve Caesars (wikipedia). This is more of a personal list rather than an attempt to duplicate the work of so many others. My Imperial Roman Coins site lists more details of these coins, plus many more coins.


This coin I won in the MMV coin cleaning contest. It was minted in 46 BC. Obverse: DICT ITER COS TERT Head of Ceres right, wreathed with corn. Reverse: AVGVR PONT. MAX simpulum, sprinkler, jug and lituus (emblems of the augurate and pontificate) D on reverse. The diameter is 20 mm and is 3.29 g, 190 degree die axis. Reference: Sear 1403/1.

This coin was minted between 11-12 AD in Byzantium, Thrace. The obverse shows the bare head of Augustus, right while the reverse shows jugate heads of King Rhoemetalkes & Queen Pythodoris right. The diameter is 23 mm and is 9.72 g, 185 degree die axis. Reference: Sear GIC 5396

This coin was an issue of Tiberius in honor of Augustus. It was minted between 22-30 AD. Obverse: DIVVS AVGVSTVS PATER, bare headed bust of Augustus, right. Reverse: PROVIDENT SC facade of altar enclosure of the Ara Providentiae Augusti, with double paneled door and horns of the altar visible above. The diameter is 28 mm and is 8.53 g, 235 degree die axis. Minted in Rome. Reference: Sear 1789, RIC 81

This coin was minted between 37-38 AD under Caligula. Obverse: C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT Caligula bareheaded, left. Reverse: VESTA SC Vesta seated left, holding patera and scepter. The diameter is 28 mm and is 9.2 g, 180 degree die axis. Minted in Rome. Reference: Sear 1803, RIC 38, Cohen 27

This coin was minted between 42 and 54 AD under Claudius. Obverse: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP P P Claudius, bareheaded, right. Reverse: SC Minerva advancing right holding shield. The diameter is 27 mm and is 9.85 g, 200 degree die axis. Note: Obverse legend most likely. If so, reference RIC 116

This coin was minted between 67-68 AD in Caesarea, Samaria. Obverse: Nero's laureate head right. Reverse: City goddess standing right holding standard and human head with right foot on the prow. The diameter is 22.5 mm and is 10.01 g, 335 degree die axis. Reference: Sear GIC 629

These Emperors reigned for a very short time and their coins are much rarer. I probably would not find them in an uncleaned lot, and as my current interests lie elsewhere, it will probably be quite a while before obtaining them.

This coin was minted in 74 AD under Vespasian. Obverse: IMP CAES VESP AVG P M T P COS V CENS Vespasian's radiate head left. Reverse: FELICITAS PVBLICA S C Felicitas standing facing, head left, holding caduceus & cornucopiae. The diameter is 27 mm and is 11.01 g, 180 degree die axis. Reference: Sear 2346, RIC 555, Cohen 152

This coin was minted 78-79 AD under Titus. Obverse: T CAESAR VESPASIANVS laureate head right. Reverse: IMP XIIII Sow left, with three piglets. The diameter is 18.8 mm and is 2.78 g, 190 degree die axis. Reference: RIC-221 (Vesp)

This coin was minted 69-96 AD under Domitian. Obverse: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GER COS... Domitian's laureate head right. Reverse: VIRTVTI AVGVSTI S C Virtus standing right, holding parazonium and scepter (spear), left foot on helmet. The letters after the COS on the obverse that would normally help with dating the coin are worn. The diameter is 26 mm and is 9.93 g, 200 degree die axis. There would be something after the COS which tells us the year, but it is not legible. Similar to Sear [2000] 2817. Cleaned by myself

Main site for Elagabalus minted in Markianopolis page

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