Roman set intro + parts 1-2

lordmarcovan

(Last Updated 7/24/08)

Using this list, you can see what I've got, and what I want. Having begun this rather ambitious collection in the spring of 2007, I've come a long way fast, but I have a very long way to go, too.

For now, I just need one coin per emperor, bronze or silver (or gold, in the rare cases where it's affordable). If it is a particularly scarce ruler, I will consider provincial coinage with his portrait. For the toughest pieces, my budgetary ceiling is around $500-600 per coin, and obviously those won't be regular monthly purchases for me.

The "DOC rarity scale" referred to is the Dirty Old Coins database. I've discovered a few minor flaws and omissions with this database, but overall found it quite useful in estimating relative scarcity. I imagine these ratings do not apply to provincial issues. Therefore, for the scarcer rulers, I might consider a provincial issue if the homeland issues of that ruler are exceedingly expensive. As of now, I am not attempting any of the prohibitively rare rulers whose coins are all rated 8 or 9 on the database, or those who issued only gold coins. I'm also only including the Eastern emperors who reigned prior to 476 AD (the fall of the West). To have a complete "Twelve Caesars" set, I really should have started with Julius Caesar, who's not really part of the "Imperial" period, but for now I'll just start with Augustus, as many Imperial collections do. Besides, starting with Augustus and ending with Zeno gives my set an "A to Z" aspect to it!

My first criterion is a nice portrait, the second is a clear obverse legend with as much of the emperor's name readable as possible. (You'll notice that a few of the coins pictured below fall a bit short on the latter). Unusual or interesting reverse designs are nice and if they appeal to me, I will pay a small premium for them, but this is mostly a portrait type set so those first two criteria are the only big ones.

For the sake of convenience, in many cases I just grabbed the previous owners' pictures of the coins. If you see one I purchased from you and do not wish to be listed in the provenance or don't want me to use your picture, let me know and I can make you anonymous and/or shoot my own pictures (which I intend to do where possible, anyway).

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lordmarcovan

PART I: THE FIRST EMPERORS

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THE JULIO-CLAUDIAN DYNASTY


AUGUSTUS (Octavian), Augustus 27 BC–14 AD. AE as. Struck by moneyer Marcus Salvius Otho, 7 BC. Obv.- CAESAR AVGVST PONT MAX TRIBVNEC POT, bare head right. Rev.- M SALVIVS OTHO III VIR AAA F F around large S C. RIC-431, Cohen-515, BMC-226. 27.5 mm, 11.4 g. Ex-Incitatus Coins (Canada) 05/2007. Rarity (4/6).
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $79.00 + S&H).

Livia, wife of Augustus, mother of Tiberius. Rarity: (6/-). AE as, "JVSTITIA" type. A very low grade but identifiable "filler", with counterstamp on reverse. (A recent acquisition-picture to be added later). Ex-Don Rupp, 08/2008. Ref. Bio. (My cost: $42.50).

Agrippa, friend of Augustus. AE as struck under Caligula, 37-41 AD. Obv.- M AGRIPPA L F COS III, head left wearing rostral crown. Rev.- S-C, Neptune standing facing, head left, naked except for cloak draped behind him & over both arms, holding small dolphin in right hand & vertical trident in left. Ref.- RIC-58 [Caligula], Cohen-3, BMC-161 [Tiberius], Sear-1812. 28 mm, 12 g. Ex-Nemesis Ancients & Antiquities, 09/2007. Rarity: (5/-).
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $40.00 + S&H).

TIBERIUS, Augustus 14-37 AD. AR Denarius. The "Tribute Penny" of the Bible. Obv.- TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVST, laureate head right. Rev.- PONTIF MAXIM, Livia as Pax, seated right; plain legs to chair. RIC-26, RSC-16, BMC-34, Sear-1763. Ex-WNC Coins, 09/2007. Rarity (6/6).
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $225.00).

Germanicus, nephew of Tiberius. AE as, struck under Claudius. Obv.- GERMANICVS CAESAR TI AVG F DIVI AVG N, bare head right. Rev.- TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG GERMANI IMP P P around large SC. RIC-106 [Claudius], Cohen-9, BMC-241, Sear-1905. 28.5 mm, 9.2 g. Ex-Ancient Imports, 05/2007. Rarity (4/-).
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $87.00 + S&H)

Gaius CALIGULA, Augustus 37-41 AD. AE as. Struck 37-38 AD. Obv.- C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT, bare head left. Rev.- VESTA above, S C across field, Vesta seated left, holding patera and sceptre. RIC-38, Cohen-27, BMC-46, Sear-1803. 29 mm, 10.9 g. Ex-Nemesis Ancients & Antiquities Lot 7239, 05/2007. Rarity (5/8).
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $220.00 + S&H).

CLAUDIUS, Augustus 41-54 AD. AE as. Obv.- TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP P P, bare head left. Rev.- LIBERTAS AVGVSTA S-C, Libertas standing facing with pileus, extending left hand. RIC-113, Cohen-47, BMC-202, Sear-1860. 9.81 g. Ex-Civitas Galleries Lot AC16839, 05/2007. Rarity (3/8).
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $175.00 + S&H)

NERO, Augustus 54-68 AD. AR denarius. Obv.- IMP NERO CAESAR AVGVSTVS, laureate and bearded head of Nero right. Rev.- Salus draped, seated left on throne, holding patera, SALVS in exergue. RIC-67, RSC-258, BMC-83, Sear-1945. Ex-WNC Coins, 04/2007. Rarity (5/6).
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $110.00).

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THE CIVIL WAR OF 69 AD AND THE YEAR OF FOUR EMPERORS


GALBA, Augustus 68-69 AD. AE sestertius. Obv.- IMP SER SVLP GALBA CAES AVG TRP, laureate & draped bust right. Rev.- LIBERTAS PVBLICA S-C, Liberty standing left with pileus & sceptre. RIC-309, Cohen-130. 35-36 mm, 25.8 g. Ex-Rutten & Wieland (Switzerland), 07/2007. Rarity (6/6).
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $295.00 + S&H) Tentatively RESERVED: "A***d"

OTHO, Augustus 69 AD. AR denarius. Obv.- IMP OTHO CAESAR AVG TR P, bare head right. Rev.- PONT MAX, Ceres standing left holding wheat ears and cornucopia. RIC-20, RSC-11. 3.09 g. Ex-Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. Sale #156, Lot 312, 10/2007. Rarity (-/6).
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $585.00, original HJB price $675.00).

VITELLIUS, Augustus 69 AD. AR denarius. Obv.- A VITELLIVS GERM IMP AVG TR P, laureate head right. Rev.- PONT MAXIM, Vesta seated right, holding scepter and patera. RIC-107, RSC-72, BMC-34, Sear-2200. 19 mm, 3 g. Ex-Incitatus Coins (Canada), 06/2007. Rarity (7/5).
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $218.00 + S&H) Tentatively RESERVED: "A***d"

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THE FLAVIAN DYNASTY


VESPASIAN, Augustus 69-79 AD. AR denarius, 70 AD. Obv.- IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head right. Rev.- COS ITER TR POT, Pax standing left with branch and caduceus. Speculative first-year portrait only vaguely resembling Vespasian, presumably engraved before he arrived in Rome. RIC-27, RSC-94g. 17 mm, 3.1 g. Ex-Incitatus Coins (Canada), 05/2007. Rarity (5/4).
Ref. Bio (My cost: $34.00 + S&H)


TITUS, Augustus 79-81 AD. AR denarius. Obv.- IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG PM, laureate head right. Rev.- TRP VIIII IMP XV COS VII PP, Capricorn flying left, globe below. RIC-19, RSC-294, BMC-35, Sear-2510. 17 mm, 3 g. Ex-Incitatus Coins (Canada), 05/2007. Rarity (6/5).
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $67.00 + S&H).

DOMITIAN, Augustus 81-96 AD. AR denarius as Caesar. Obv.- CAES AVG F DOMIT COS III, laureate head right. Rev.- PRINCEPS IVVENTVT, Spes standing left with flower & raising skirt. RIC-233 (Vespasian), RSC-375, BMC-156, Sear-2640 19 mm, 3.5 g. Ex-Incitatus Coins (Canada), 05/2007. Rarity (4/3).
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $66.00 + S&H)

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oreville

Perfect!

lordmarcovan

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PART II: THE HIGH POINT OF EMPIRE

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THE NERVO-TRAJANIC DYNASTY


NERVA, Augustus 96-98 AD. AE as. Obv.- IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS III P P, laureate head right. Rev.- CONCORDIA EXERCITVVM S-C, clasped hands. RIC-79, Cohen-21. 27.8 mm, 12.8 g. Ex-Ancient Imports, 05/2007. Rarity (4/3).
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $169.00 + S&H).

TRAJAN, Augustus 98-117 AD. AR denarius. Obv.- IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P, laureate bust right, draped far shoulder. Rev.- COS V PP SPQR OPTIMO PRINC, Equity standing left with scales & cornucopiae. RIC-118, RSC-85, Sear-3122. Ex-Don Rupp, 04/2007, John C. Greener ca. 1960s-70s. Rarity (3/3). Coin looks washed out in scan- much better in hand.
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $55.00).

HADRIAN, Augustus 117-138 AD. AR denarius, 118 AD. Obv.- IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, laureate bust right with drapery on far shoulder. Rev.- P M TR P COS II AET-AVG, Aeternitas standing left, holding heads of Sol and Luna. RIC-48, RSC-129, Sear-3458. Ex-WNC Coins, 05/2007. Rarity (3/3).
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $45.00).

Sabina, wife of Hadrian. AR denarius. Obv.- SABINA AVGVSTA, diademed and draped bust right. Rev.- CONCORDIA AVG, Concordia seated left holding patera & scepter, cornucopia beneath the throne. RIC-391, RSC-24. 18 mm, 3.2 g. Ex-Incitatus Coins (Canada), 12/2007. Rarity (7/5).
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $89.00 + S&H).

Aelius, Caesar under Hadrian, father of Lucius Verus. AE sestertius. Obv.- L AELIVS CAESAR, bare head right. Rev.- TR POT COS II S-C, Spes walking left, holding flower & raising hem of skirt. RIC-1055, Cohen-56, BMC-1914, Sear-3986. 31-32 mm, 22.75 g. Ex-Rutten & Wieland (Switzerland), 03/2008. Rarity (6/6). Coin is a bit darker brown (and therefore more natural looking) in hand.
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $195.00 + S&H)


THE ANTONINE DYNASTY


ANTONINUS PIUS, Augustus 138-161 AD. AR denarius. Obv.- ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS III, bare head right. Rev.- GENIVS POP ROMANI, Genius standing front, head right, with scepter & cornucopiae. Ref.- Ref Antoninus Pius AR Denarius, RIC-70, RSC-405, BMC-207, Sear-4085. Ex- WNC Coins, 04/2007. Rarity (3/3).
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $25.00).

Faustina Senior, wife of Antoninus Pius. AE Sestertius. Obv.- DIVA FAVSTINA, draped bust right. Rev.- S-C, female deity standing left with long torch in right hand and fasces in left, S-C surrounding figure, outer legends missing. Attribution uncertain, but similar to RIC-1116 and other Ceres types, except the fasces replaces the ears of corn and the torch is in the opposite hand. 31.41 mm, 24.5 g. Ex-Ancient Imports, 09/2007. Rarity (4/3). (Upgrade candidate).
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $27.00 + S&H)

MARCUS AURELIUS, Augustus 161-169 AD (with Lucius Verus), 169-177 AD (alone), 177-180 AD (with Commodus). AR denarius as Caesar, 144-145 AD. Obv.- AVRELIVS CAESAR AVG PII F, bare head right. COS (DES) II, Honos standing left holding branch & cornucopiae. RIC-426 [Antoninus Pius], RSC-100, BMC-509, Sear-4782. The attribution seems to fit except the "DES" portion of the legend is not visible (off flan?). Ex-Don Rupp, 05/2007, John C. Greener 10/1970. Rarity (3/3). Bad scan- coin looks far nicer in hand.
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $45.00). Tentatively RESERVED: "r***y"

Faustina Junior, daughter of Antoninus Pius, wife of Marcus Aurelius. AR denarius, 161-164 AD. Obv.- FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, draped bust right. Rev.- CERES, Ceres seated left, holding corn ears and long torch. RIC-669, RSC-35, BMC-79, Sear-5249. 18.1mm, 2.316 g. Ex-FORVM Ancient Coins, Lot 23263, 09/2007. Rarity (4/3).
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $28.00 + S&H).

LUCIUS VERUS, Augustus 161-169 AD (with Marcus Aurelius). AE sestertius, 164 AD. Obv.- L AVREL VERVS AVG ARMENIACVS, laureate head right. Obv.- TR P IIII IMP II COS II S-C, Victory standing right, placing a shield inscribed VIC/AVG in two lines on palm. RIC-1396, Cohen-249. 33.79 mm, 23 g. Ex-Ancient Imports, 05/2007. Rarity (5/4).
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $73.00 + S&H).

Lucilla, wife of Lucius Verus, daughter of Marcus Aurelius. AR denarius. Obv.- LVCILLA AVGVSTA, draped bust right, hair in a bun. Rev.- VENVS VICTRIX, Venus standing, head left, holding Victory and resting hand on shield. RIC-786, RSC-89, BMC-353, Sear-5492. Ex-Don Rupp, 10/2007, John C. Greener ca. 1960s-70s. Formerly in an ICG VF30 slab; now raw, but insert included. Rarity (5/5).
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $70.00).

COMMODUS, Augustus 177-180 AD (with Marcus Aurelius), 180-192 AD (alone). AR denarius, 192 AD. Obv.- L AEL AVREL COMM AVG P FEL, laureate head right. Rev.- P M TR P XVII IMP VIII COS VII P P, Fides standing left holding standard & cornucopiae, star in left field. RIC-233, RSC-583-583a, BMC 316-317, Sear-5684. Ex-Don Rupp, 04/2007, John C. Greener ca. 1960s-70s. Rarity (4/3).
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $50.00).

Crispina, wife of Commodus. AE sestertius, 180-183 AD. Obv.- CRISPINA AVG IMP COMMODI AVG, draped bust right. Rev.- SALVS S-C, Salus seated left, feeding serpent coiled around altar from patera held in right hand. Ref.- RIC (Commodus) 672b, Sear-6009. Apparently unlisted on Wildwinds.com, but RIC-672a/Sear-6010 is shown there. This is the type with extended obverse legend including the name of Commodus and a long-necked bust of Crispina. Ex-Incitatus Coins (Canada), 11/2007. Rarity (7/5).
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $106.00).

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THE CIVIL WAR OF 193 AD AND THE YEAR OF FIVE EMPERORS


Clodius Albinus, usurper, emperor in Britain 193-197 AD. AR denarius (as Caesar under Septimius Severus), ca. 194 AD. Obv.- D CLOD SEPT ALBIN CAES, bare head right. Rev.- MINER PACIF COS II, Minerva standing facing with olive branch, shield & spear. RIC-7, RSC-48, Sear-6144. 18 mm, 3.1g. Ex-Mike Vosper Coins (United Kingdom), 01/2008. (Rarity unlisted in DOC database).
Ref. Bio. (My cost: UK £125.00; US $247.95 at the time, + S&H). Tentatively RESERVED: "B***l"

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THE SEVERAN DYNASTY AND THE MACRINUS INTERLUDE


SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS, Augustus 193-197 (contested), 197-198 (alone), 198-209 (with Caracalla). 209-211 (with Caracalla & Geta). AR denarius, 205 AD. Obv.- SEVERVS PIVS AVG, laureate head right. Rev.- P M TR P XIII COS III P P, Annona standing left holding corn ears over a modius & cornucopiae. RIC-200, RSC-476, BMC-489SC, Sear-6338. Ex-WNC Coins, 04/2007. Rarity (6/3).
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $50.00).

Julia Domna, wife of Septimius Severus. AR denarius. IVLIA AVGVSTA, draped bust right / PIETAS PVBLICA, Pietas standing left, raising both hands at altar. RIC-574, RSC-156, BMC-69, Sear-6601. Ex-Gil Menendez, 12/2007. Rarity (6/3).
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $24.00).

CARACALLA, Augustus 198-209 AD (with Septimius Severus), 209-211 AD (with Septimius Severus & Geta), 211 AD (with Geta), 211-217 AD (alone). AR denarius, 215 AD. Obv.- ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM, laureate head right. Rev.- P M TR P XVIII COS IIII P P, Pax standing half-left, holding branch and scepter. RIC-268, RSC-314, BMC-147, Sear-6841. Ex-WNC Coins, 05/2007. Rarity (6/3).
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $95.00). Tentatively RESERVED: "D***y"

Plautilla, wife of Caracalla. AR denarius. Obv.- PLAVTILLA AVGVSTA, draped bust right. Rev.- VENVS VICTRIX, Venus standing left holding apple & palm, leaning on shield, Cupid at her feet. RIC-369, RSC-25, BMC-429, Sear-7074. Ex-Ancient Artifacts & Treasures, 01/2008. Rarity (7/4).
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $110.00 + S&H).

GETA, Augustus 209-211 AD (with Septimius Severus & Caracalla), 211 AD (with Caracalla). AR denarius as Caesar, 208 AD. Obv.- P SEPTIMIVS GETA CAES, draped bust right, Rev.- PONTIF COS II, Geta standing left, holding globe (patera?) & short scepter. RIC-61a, RSC-117. Ex-Don Rupp, 05/2007, John C. Greener, 02/1968. Rarity (7/3).
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $40.00).

MACRINUS, Augustus 217-218 AD. Provincial AE25 of Marcianopolis (now Devnya, in Bulgaria), under magistrate Pontianus. Obv.- Greek inscription, laureate cuirassed bust right. Rev.- Greek inscription, eagle standing facing, head right, wreath in beak. Verbanov-864. 25mm, 11.2g. Ex-Incitatus Coins, 05/2007. Rarity (7/5) (Probably inapplicable to provincial coins like this).
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $45.00).

DIADUMENIAN, Augustus 218 AD. AE sestertius as Caesar, 218 AD. Obv.- M OPEL ANTONINVS DIADVMENIANVS CAES, draped & cuirassed bust right. Rev.- SPES PVBLICA S-C, Spes walking left, holding flower & lifting hem of skirt. RIC-219, Cohen-23, BMC-155, Sear-7454. 29 mm. Ex-WNC Coins, 11/2007. Rarity (7/6). Low grade but scarce.
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $85.00).

ELAGABALUS, Augustus 218-222 AD. AR denarius. Obv.- IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, laureate draped bust right. Rev.- P M TRP IIII COS III P P, Victory flying left holding open wreath, star in field left. RIC-45, RSC-195, BMC-251, Sear-7535. 19.04 mm, 2.7 grams. Ex-Ancient Imports, 05/2007. Rarity (6/3).
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $67.00 + S&H).

Julia Soaemias, mother of Elagabalus. AR denarius, 220 AD. Obv.- IVLIA SOAEMIAS AVG, draped bust right. Rev.- VENVS CAELESTIS, Venus seated left, holding scepter, extending her hand to Cupid standing before her. RIC-243, RSC-14, BMC-55, Sear-7720. 19.57 mm, 2.9 g. Ex-Ancient Imports, 09/2007. Rarity (6/4).
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $87.00 + S&H).

Julia Maesa, grandmother of Elagabalus & Severus Alexander. AR denarius, 220-222 AD. Obv.- IVLIA MAESA AVG, draped bust right. Rev.- SAECVLI FELICITAS, Felicitas standing left with long caduceus, sacrificing out of patera over lighted altar, star right. RIC-271, RSC-45, BMC-79, Sear-7757. Gift from Michael Swoveland, 05/2007. Rarity (6/4).
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $0.00).

SEVERUS ALEXANDER, Augustus 222-235 AD. AR denarius, 227 AD. Obv.- IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG, laureate draped bust right / P M TR P VI COS II P P, Alexander standing left, sacrificing out of patera over altar. RIC-70, RSC-325. 18.5 mm, 2.252 g. Ex-John Knudsen, 02/2007. Rarity (5/3). Coin looks a little better in hand.
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $19.00).

SEVERUS ALEXANDER, Augustus 222-235 AD. AR denarius. Obv.- IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG, laureate draped bust right. Rev.- P M TR P V COS II P P, Mars walking right carrying spear & trophy. RIC-53/RSC-281 or similar. Ex-"rgcollects", eBay, 08/2008. Rarity (5/3). A late eBay addition, intended as an upgrade for the coin above.
Ref. Bio. (My cost: $21.25).

Julia Mamaea, mother of Severus Alexander. AR denarius. Obv.- IVLIA MAMAEA AVG, diademed & draped bust right. Rev.- VESTA, Vesta standing half-left, holding palladium & scepter. RIC-360, RSC-81, BMC-381, Sear-8217. 20.5 mm, 2.935 g. Ex-FORVM Ancient Coins, Lot 11361, 09/2007. Rarity (6/4).
Ref. Bio (My cost: $40.00).

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