Roman Coins
In about 500 B.C.E. the idea of making coins spread to the Roman republic. Roman coins were made out of bronze, gold, silver, and copper. A gold coin, called "aureus," was the most valuable. Next in value was a "denarius," made out of silver. Twenty-five denarius were equal to one aureus. Roman coins usually had markings to tell where they were made. Until after 100 C.E., Rome was the main city for producing coins. Coins were later made in Alexandria, Antioch, Constantinople, and London, all of which were part of the ancient Roman Empire.
The BC period is commonly referred to as the republic period. It begins with the first coins made by the Romans near the time of the Birth of Christ. The coins during this period reflected democracy and the imagery of gods and art.
The AD period, Anno Domini-Latin for "in the year of the Lord", is commonly known as the period after the Life of Christ. Most coins minted during this period were of Emperors that ruled the Roman Empire.
If you can help in identifying any of these coins please do so not only will it help me but I hope it will help others. Lets face it we have all found something that we couldn't identify at first and the more we share the more we learn.
fig1. Roman Silver
Silver denarius of the Emperor Caracalla (young portrait) (AD 198-217). The reverse is Moneta, the goddess of money. The coin belongs to the period when Caracalla joined augustus with his father Septimius Severus, which would be between AD 198 and 209.
fig2. Bronze follis
Bronze follis of the Emperor
Constantine I (AD 309-337). The reverse is the god Mars. Struck at London mint (note PLN on reverse, below figure -this show it was struck in the first workshop at London).
fig3.Gallienus
(253-268) antoninianus
(silver washed double denarius) with reverse ANNONAAVG
fig4. One days finds
Fig5. Bronze centenionalis.
Constans AV Solidus.
CONSTANS AVGVSTVS, diademed bust right two Victories standing facing with shield inscribed VOT X
fig6. Emperor Valens 364-378 AD.
Securitas reverse. Aquielia mint. Ruler: Valens
Obverse: DN VALEN-S PF AVGReverse: SECVRITAS-REIPVBLICAE Victory Holding: wreath and palm branch
Mintmark: SMAQS Reverse: Left Field: star over crescent
Mint: Aquileia
Attribution: RIC IX Aquileia 9b, type x(b) Rarity: Common Denomination: AE3
fig7. Bronze antoninianus
Bronze antoninianus of the Gallic usurper Victorinus,
who reigned AD 268-270. He controlled Britain during his reign.
fig8 Constantine II Æ Follis.
GLORIA EXERCITVS, two soldiers with spears and sheilds, two standards between them.
fig9. Constantine II,
Helmeted Bust, London
fig10. Bronze Antoninianus.
Probably a barbarous copy
of a bronze Antoninianus of the Gallic usurper Tetricus II,
who ruled with his father from AD 270-273.
fig11.
fig12.
fig13.
fig14.
fig15.
fig16.
fig17. Appears to be a bronze as of Antoninus Pius (AD 138-161)
fig18.
fig19.
fig20.
fig21
fig22.
fig23.
fig24. AE3 of Crispus, struck at Trier c.323-324.
fig25. Mausaeus Carausius
(died AD 293)
The Head of Carausius, Pax standing left with a vertical sceptre.
fig26.
fig27.
fig28.
Rome's Legendary Kings
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66 BC Gn Pompeius (POMPEY) extraordinary powers
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Crassus
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30-27 BC OCTAVIAN consul with special powers
Emperors
The Julio-Claudian Dynasty
27 BC - 14 AD Caesar AUGUSTUS (Octavian)
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96-98 AD M. Cocceius NERVA
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