Go to Index, Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI, Part VII, Part VIII, Part IX, Part X, Part XI, Roman Coins: Republic and Principate, Greek Coins, Coins from the Hunterian Museum
gold bar;
fragment of gold bar, late
4th century CE
stamped 4 times with name of imperial accountant Flavianus
and once with name of imperial assayer Lucianus; at this time gold coins
collected for taxes were immediately melted down, formed into bars, and sent to
the emperor's residence to prevent pilfering by imperial officials
London,
British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: coinage
bronze contorniate,
c. 5th century CE
depicting banking or money-changing scene.
London,
British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: coin; donative
bronze
contorniate, c. 4th century CE
depicting process of striking
coins—bullion is cast into individual coin-shaped blanks ("flans"). These
are placed on an anvil die engraved with the obverse image. A punch die
engraved with the reverse image is placed on top of the flan and hit with a
hammer; both dies are struck simultaneously.
London, British Museum.
Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: coin; donative; coinmaking
another bronze coin depicting the process of striking coins, Roman
Two seated men hold the punch die over the anvil die while a third man prepares to strike the dies with a hammer.
Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2006
Keywords: coin; coinmaking
bronze coin:
Aeneas and Ascanius leave Troy; 1st-3rd century CE
minted by city of
Ilium
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1999
Keywords:
Vergil; Aeneid; mythology
dupondius with head of
Marcus Agrippa, struck under Tiberius
Inscription reads “M AGRIPPA
L F COS III.”
Boston, Museum of Fine Arts. Credits: Barbara McManus,
2002
Keywords: coin
bronze coin issued by
Antoninus Pius in 147 CE as part of his celebration commemorating the 900th
anniversary of the foundation of Rome;
depicts Aeneas leaving Troy with
Ascanius and Anchises
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus,
2001
Keywords: Aeneid, Vergil, mythology
bronze coin issued by
Antoninus Pius in 147 CE as part of his celebration commemorating the 900th
anniversary of the foundation of Rome;
depicts the white sow with 30 piglets
that was a sign for Aeneas that he had reached the site of Alba Longa.
London,
British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: Aeneid,
Vergil, mythology
bronze coin issued
by Antoninus Pius in 147 CE as part of his celebration commemorating the
900th anniversary of the foundation of Rome;
depicts the god Mars visiting
the sleeping Vestal Virgin Rhea Silvia to conceive Romulus and Remus
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords:
mythology
aureus of Antoninus Pius; Rome, 140-144 CE
Depicts Romulus (with features similar to the emperor, as shown in
this aureus) carrying the spolia opima and
wearing patrician shoes, possibly in imitation of the statue of Romulus in the Forum of Augustus.
Berlin, Pergamon Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: early history of Rome; legend
aureus of the
deified Antoninus Pius, who died in 161 CE.
London, British Museum.
Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: coin, deification
aureus of the
deified Faustina, who died in 141 CE
Faustina was the wife of the
emperor Antoninus Pius.
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus,
2001
Keywords: coin, deification
bronze sestertius
of Caligula; larger
version, 37-41 CE;
shows Caligula sacrificing before the Temple of
Augustus
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1999, 2001
Keywords: coin, emperor
bronze coin of
Caligula, 37-38 CE
depicting his three sisters, Agrippina, Drusilla, and
Julia Livilla
larger version
Rome, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme (National Museums). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2007
Keywords: sestertius, emperor, imperial women
silver coin of
Crete, 37-41 CE;
shows the Roman emperor Caligula with a sceptre that
likens him to the Cretan god Dictaean Zeus.
London, British Museum.
Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
bronze coin
of Caligula, issued to commemorate his father Germanicus;
shows
Germanicus riding in a triumphal chariot at the conclusion of his successful
campaigns in Germany
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus,
2001
Keywords: triumph, military
bronze
coin of Caligula, issued to commemorate his father Germanicus;
the
other side of the above coin shows a statue of Germanicus holding a staff
topped with the eagle; the inscription refers to the fact that Germanicus
recovered the legionary eagle standards previously lost to the Germans
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords:
military
bronze coin of
Caracalla, 198-217 CE
shows three temples (dedicated to Tiberius, the
goddess Roma, and Hadrian) at Smyrna, Asia.
London, British Museum.
Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: religion
bronze coin of
Caracalla, 198-217 CE, minted at Perinth, Thrace
A city goddess wearing a mural crown stands next to a flaming altar; she holds a temple in each hand.
Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2006
Keywords: religion
bronze coin of
Caracalla and Plautilla, minted at Stratonikeia, Caria, c. 202-205
Busts of the emperor Caracalla and his wife Plautilla face each other (the marriage only lasted three years).
Between them is a
round countermark
with a small head intended to represent the reigning emperor; this would certify that the provincial coin
could be used as legal tender by the legions stationed in that area.
Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2006
bronze coin of
Caracalla, minted at Stratonikeia, Caria, c. 198-211
The coin originally held facing busts of Caracalla and his brother Geta, but the portrait of Geta
has been scraped off due to the official damnatio memoriae (a decree to remove all images of the person)
issued by the emperor Caracalla after he had assassinated his brother in 211 BCE. There is a small countermark
at the bottom of the coin.
Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2006
Keywords: imperial family
bronze coin of Otrus in Phrygia, 200-212 CE
The reverse depicts Aeneas holding Ascanius by the hand and carrying Anchises with the
Penates, in imitation of the sculptural group in the Forum of Augustus. The coin bears an
oval countermark with a tiny head intended to represent the reigning emperor; this would
certify that the provincial coin could be used as legal tender by the legions stationed in that area.
Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2006
Keywords: Vergil, Aeneid, mythology
brass dupondius of Claudius, 41-50 CE
close-up of Livia
The reverse depicts Livia, who had been deified by her grandson Claudius in 42 CE, as the goddess Ceres, seated on a throne, holding ears of grain and a torch. The inscription reads DIVA AUGUSTA.
Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2006
Keywords: empress, deification
bronze sestertius of
Claudius wearing laurel wreath, 42 CE
from mint of Rome
Boston,
Museum of Fine Arts. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2002
Keywords: coin,
emperor
aureus of
Claudius, 50-54 CE
Reverse depicts the head of Claudius's wife, Agrippina the Younger, wearing a wreath.
Rome, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme (National Museums). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: coin, empress, Agrippina Minor
denarius of
Claudius, 50-54 CE
Reverse depicts the head of Claudius's wife, Agrippina the Younger, wearing a wreath. Inscription reads AGRIPPINAE AUGUSTAE
Berlin, Pergamon Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: coin, empress, Agrippina Minor
gold coin of
Claudius, 41-54 CE
Coin depicts the Praetorian Camp (castra
praetoria) in Rome, including standards and a member of the Praetorian
Guard.
Rome, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme (National Museums). Credits: Barbara
McManus, 2004
Keywords: aureus, military
drawing of
Praetorian Camp on gold coin of Claudius
Credits: J. Henry Middleton,
The Remains of Ancient Rome. Vol. II, fig. 88, p. 234, 1892
Keywords: military; Castra Praetoria; city of Rome
bronze coin of
Commodus, 80-192 CE
The emperor is depicted wearing the lion-skin
helmet of Hercules, the god that he claimed to embody.
London, British
Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: coin, emperor
gold
medallion of Constantine I, 320 CE
depicts a personification of the
Senate holding a globe and scepter.
London, British Museum. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: coin; imperial symbolism
gold donative
medallion of Constantine II, 337-61 CE
depicts the emperor's war
against the Persians.
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus,
2001
Keywords: coin
aureus of Domitian, 81-96 CE
Obverse has portrait of a bare-headed Domitian with inscription DOMITIANVS AVGVSTVS.
Berlin, Pergamon Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: coin, emperor
bronze coin of
Domitian depicting an equestrian statue of Domitian: 95-96 CE
London,
British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: emperor
bronze coin of
Domitian, issued to celebrate his German campaign from 85-89 CE;
depicts Domitian on horseback riding down a German warrior.
London, British
Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: emperor, military
bronze coin
of Domitian, issued to celebrate his German campaign from 85-89 CE;
depicts Domitian receiving a shield from a kneeling German.
London, British
Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: emperor, military
denarius of
Domitian, 88 CE
one of a series of coins issued to commemorate his
celebration of the Secular Games depicts the herald of the games standing
before a tripod and an inscribed altar.
London, British Museum. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: coin, festival, religion
bronze coin
of Domitian, 88 CE
one of a series of coins issued to commemorate his
celebration of the Secular Games depicts the seated emperor receiving
fruges (wheat, oats, beans) from the Roman people.
London, British
Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: coin, festival, religion,
Horace, Carmen Saeculare
bronze coin
of Domitian, 88 CE
Alternate image;
smaller image.
This is one of a series of coins issued to commemorate his celebration of the Secular Games.
It depicts the emperor standing before a temple and dictating to the Roman matrons a prayer
to the goddess Juno.
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001, 2006
Keywords: coin, festival, religion, Horace, Carmen Saeculare
bronze coin
of Domitian, 88 CE
one of a series of coins issued to commemorate his
celebration of the Secular Games depicts the emperor with a choral procession
of boys and girls in honor of the gods Apollo and Diana.
London, British
Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: coin, festival, religion,
Horace, Carmen Saeculare
bronze coin
of Domitian, 88 CE
one of a series of coins issued to commemorate his
celebration of the Secular Games depicts the sacrifice of a black sow to the
goddess of the earth.
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus,
2001
Keywords: coin, festival, religion, Horace, Carmen
Saeculare
bronze coin
of Domitian, 88 CE
one of a series of coins issued to commemorate his
celebration of the Secular Games depicts the emperor sacrificing in front of
the Temple of Capitoline Jupiter.
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara
McManus, 2001
Keywords: coin, festival, religion, Horace, Carmen
Saeculare
aureus of Septimius Severus, 193-96 CE
Coin depicts his wife Julia Domna with her title Augusta; inscription reads IULIA DOMNA AUG[USTA].
Rome, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme (National Museums). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: coin, empress, hairstyle
aureus of Septimius Severus, c. 202 CE
The reverse depicts his wife Julia Domna, facing front, flanked by her two sons: the elder, Caracalla, on the left wearing a laurel crown, and the younger, Geta, on the right. The legend reads FELICITAS SAECVLI, "happiness (or fertility, abundance) of the age."
Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2006
Keywords: coin, empress, hairstyle
bronze coin of Julia Domna, minted in Aphrodisias, beginning third century CE
The coin depicts the illicit lovers Aphrodite and Ares caught in the net of Aphrodite's husband Hephaestus (a famous story told in Homer's Iliad).
Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2006
Keywords: mythology; Venus; Mars; Vulcan
denarius of Julia Domna, 207-209 CE
The obverse of the coin has a portrait of the empress with the inscription IVLIA AVGVSTA; the reverse, shown here, depicts a personification of Pudicitia, the female virtue of modesty. The goddess is seated; her left hand holds a scepter, and her right hand modestly covers her breast.
Berlin, Pergamon Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: coin, chastity
bronze coin of
Elagabalus, 218-222 CE
shows the crown of a priest of the imperial cult
with seven imperial busts, from Tarsus, Cilicia.
London, British Museum.
Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: religion
bronze coin of
Elagabalus, minted in Tyre, 218-222 CE
Dido, queen of Carthage, is shown supervising the building of her city.
New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2007
Keywords: Vergil, Aeneid, mythology
bronze coin of
city of Ephesus, reign of Maximus, 235-38 CE
shows the Temple of
Artemis Ephesus.
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: religion
sestertius of Galba, October, 68 CE
Reverse shows a seated goddess holding an olive branch in her right hand and a scepter in her left. The pose is very similar to coins depicting Livia as Pax, and the inscription, CONCORD(ia) AVG(usta) strengthens the association.
Berlin, Pergamon Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: empress; allegory
bronze coin (as) of Galba, summer, 68 CE
Reverse shows a standing goddess holding a scepter and the cap of liberty (pileus). The inscription, LIBERTAS PVBLICA, may suggest that Galba has liberated the state from the oppression of Nero.
Berlin, Pergamon Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: allegory
bronze medallion
of Gordianus III, c. 240 CE
shows the Colosseum, Colossus, Meta Sudans,
and entrance to the baths of Titus.
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus,
2006
Keywords: arena; gladiators; sports; city of Rome; coin
drawing of
Gordianus' Colosseum medallion
smaller version of
drawing; drawing with
labels
Credits: J. Henry Middleton, The Remains of Ancient Rome.
Vol. II. (1892) fig. 58, p. 81
Keywords: arena; gladiators; sports; city of
Rome; coin
bronze medallion of
Gordianus III, 238-44 CE
shows the Circus Maximus, with the emperor as
victor in six-horse chariot, and gladiators and wrestlers fighting in front of
spina.
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords:
sports; city of Rome; coin
bronze sestertius
of Hadrian, minted in Rome 121 CE
shows the Genius of the Circus
holding a chariot wheel.
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus,
2001
Keywords: coin; sports
aureus issued by Hadrian, 98-117 CE
The coin commemorates his adoptive parents, Trajan and Plotina, but the empress's portrait appears on the obverse of the coin, possibly in recognition of her support in helping Hadrian secure the throne after Trajan's death. The inscription reads PLOTINAE AVG[ustae] ("for Plotina Augusta").
Berlin, Pergamon Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: coin, empress
aureus with portraits of Trajan and Plotina issued late in the reign of Hadrian or immediately after his death
The reverse of the coin commemorates his adoptive parents, the deceased Trajan and Plotina, whose facing portraits are surmounted by stars indicating divinity. The legend reads DIVIS PARENTIBVS ("for his deified parents").
Rome, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme (National Museums). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2004
Keywords: coin, empress
bronze sestertius of Hadrian, minted in Rome 132-34 CE
Reverse depicts a Roman warship,
with 5 rowers, a helmsman sitting beneath an arch and a wing-shaped stern ornament, a prow
with eye decoration and rostrum (metal ramming beak), and a mast and sail. The
inscription reads FELICITATI AVG[usti].
Berlin, Pergamon Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: coin; military; ship; seafaring; galley; quinquereme
bronze sestertius of Hadrian, minted in Rome 117-138 CE
Obverse show a portrait of Hadrian in
military garb with the lengend HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS. Reverse depicts a
Roman warship; this
detail shows two levels of rowers
and a helmsman seated beneath a large wing-shaped stern ornament with a legionary eagle and a
military standard.
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2006
Keywords: coin; military; ship; seafaring; galley
denarius of
Hadrian, 117-138 CE
portrait of the emperor wearing a laurel
wreath.
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: coin; imperial symbolism
denarius of Hadrian, 117-138 CE
Depicts Juno Moneta holding scales and cornucopia.
Amsterdam, Allard Pierson Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: coin; coinmaking
sestertius of Hadrian, 117-138 CE
Obverse shows a seated personification of Justice holding a scepter and patera (libation bowl); inscription reads IVSTITIA AVG COS III PPP.
Berlin, Pergamon Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: coin; imperial symbolism
denarius of
Hadrian, 117-138 CE
part of a series of coins celebrating the emperor's
alleged virtues, in this case Justice.
London, British Museum. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: coin; imperial symbolism
denarius of
Hadrian, 117-138 CE
part of a series of coins celebrating the emperor's
alleged virtues, in this case Liberality.
London, British Museum. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: coin; imperial symbolism
denarius of
Hadrian, 117-138 CE
part of a series of coins celebrating the emperor's
alleged virtues, in this case Patience.
London, British Museum. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: coin; imperial symbolism
denarius of
Hadrian, 117-138 CE
part of a series of coins celebrating the emperor's
alleged virtues, in this case Tranquility.
London, British Museum. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: coin; imperial symbolism
reverse of bronze
drachm of Hadrian, issued in Egypt, 133-34 CE
depicts two snakes
reflecting native Egyptian symbolism—Agathodaemon (sacred to Serapis) and
Uraeus (sacred to Isis).
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus,
2001
Keywords: coin
silver cistophoric tetradrachm of Hadrian, minted in Ephesus, c. 129-138 CE
The reverse of the coin shows the cult statue of Artemis of Ephesus, with the legend DIANA EPHESIA. Two stags look up
at the goddess.
Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2006
Keywords: religion
sestertius of Lucius Verus; minted in Troas, Ilium, 161-169 CE
The coin depicts Aeneas carrying Anchises, holding the Penates, on his left shoulder;
he looks back at Ascanius, wearing a Phrygian cap, whom he holds by the hand.
The pose mimics the statuary group in the Forum of Augustus.
Boston. Museum of Fine Arts. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2002
Keywords: Vergil; Aeneid
gold ring
containing aureus of Marcus Aurelius, who reigned 161-80 CE
Emperor is
shown wearing a laurel wreath.
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara
McManus, 2001
Keywords: coin, jewelry
sestertius of Marcus Aurelius; mint of Rome, 161-175 CE
The empress, Faustina the Younger, is portrayed as the goddess Juno Regina, part of the Capitoline triad of deities; she holds a patera and scepter, and a peacock stands at her feet.
Berlin, Pergamon Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: coin
bronze coin of Marcus Aurelius, 161-180 CE, minted in Ilium
The coin depicts the Trojan hero Hector driving a quadriga (four-horse chariot).
Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2006
Keywords: mythology; Homer; Iliad
gold aureus of Faustina, issued by Marcus Aurelius, 161-76 CE
There is a portrait of Faustina the Younger on the obverse, and the reverse, shown here, depicts the Goddess Cybele with the inscription MATRI MAGNAE ("for the Great
Mother"). Cybele is seated on a throne flanked by lions; she wears a mural crown and holds a
tympanum (a kind of drum used in her worship).
Berlin, Pergamon Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: coin
sestertius of Faustina, issued by Marcus Aurelius, 161-76 CE
There is a portrait of Faustina the Younger on the obverse, and the reverse, shown here, shows a
female holding a scepter in her right hand; an infant sits on her extended left hand holding
out his hands to her. The inscription, partially lost on this coin, reads FECVNDITAS
("fertility") in celebration of the empress's many children.
Berlin, Pergamon Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: coin
sestertius of Faustina, issued by Marcus Aurelius, 161-76 CE
There is a portrait of Faustina the Younger on the obverse, and the reverse, shown here, shows a
female holding an infant in each hand with stars over the babies' heads, a probable reference to the twin boys Commodus and Antoninus, borne by Faustina in 161 CE. At her feet cluster four more children. The inscription, reads TEMPOR[um] FELIC[itas], ("the happiness of the times") in celebration of the empress's many children.
Berlin, Pergamon Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: coin
sestertius of Faustina, issued by Marcus Aurelius, c. 161 CE
There is a portrait of Faustina the Younger on the obverse, and the reverse, shown here, shows
two infants with stars over their heads playing on a draped, throne-like chair, referring
to the twin boys Commodus and Antoninus, borne by Faustina in 161 CE. The inscription reads
SAECVLI FELICIT[as], ("the happiness of the age") in celebration of the birth of heirs to the throne.
Berlin, Pergamon Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: coin
sestertius of Lucilla; mint of Rome, 164-166 CE
Lucilla was the daughter of Marcus Aurelius and Faustina the Younger; she was also the wife of
the co-emperor Lucius Verus. The inscription reads LVCILLAE AVG[ustae]ANTONINI AVG[usti] F[ilia].
Berlin, Pergamon Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: coin
sestertius of Lucilla; reverse; mint of Rome, 164-166 CE
The goddess Vesta is shown standing beside an altar with a burning flame. She holds in her
right hand a simpulum (a long-handled ladle used by a pontifex (a type of
priest) for pouring wine at sacrifices. On her left shoulder she holds the Palladium, the city-
protecting wooden statue of Athena that Aeneas (pre-Vergil) brought from Troy to Rome and
deposited in the Temple of Vesta.
Berlin, Pergamon Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: coin; legendary history of Rome; Vestal Virgins
bronze sestertius of
Nero, 65 CE
Nero is shown wearing a diadem. Inscription reads NERO CLAVD[ius] AVG[ustus] GER[manicus] P[ontifex] M[aximus] TR[ibunitia] P[otestate] IMP[erator] P[ater] P[atriae].
Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology. Credits: Barbara McManus,
2004
Keywords: coin
bronze sestertius of Nero, 65 CE
Nero is shown wearing a diadem. Inscription reads NERO CLAVD[ius] AVG[ustus] GER[manicus]
P[ontifex] M[aximus] TR[ibunitia] P[otestate] IMP[erator] P[ater] P[atriae].
Berlin, Pergamon Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: coin
sestertius of
Nero; mint of Rome, 62-68 CE
This coin allegorically represents the grain dole (annona). Ceres is seated holding a torch and stalks of grain in her left hand; with her right she hands a cornucopia to the standing Annona A modius (instrument for measuring grain) sits on the table between them, with a ship's prow visible behind. The inscription reads ANNONA AVGVSTI CERES.
Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2006
bronze sestertius of
Nero;
larger
version, mint of Rome, 64-66 CE
Coin allegorically represents the grain
dole (annona), with Annona standing holding a cornucopia and Ceres
seated holding stalks of grain; a modius (instrument for measuring
grain) sits on the table between them. The inscription reads ANNONA AVGVSTI
CERES.
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1999, 2001
bronze sestertius of Nero; 64-66 CE
larger version;
detail, Shrine of Janus.
This coin shows the Shrine of Janus with the doors closed, signifying peace (probably refers to the surrender of the Armenia king Tiridates).
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2006
Keywords: military, ritual; pax
sestertius of Nero; 54-68 CE
Shows Temple of Janus with the doors closed, signifying peace.
Berlin, Pergamon Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: military, ritual; pax
bronze coin of
Nero, 54-68 CE
showing triumphal Arch of Nero, erected to celebrate his
Persian victories.
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus,
2001
Keywords: city of Rome
bronze coin of
Nero, 54-68 CE
another coin showing triumphal Arch of Nero.
London,
British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: city of Rome
bronze coin of
Nero, 54-68 CE
depicting a congiarium, a ceremony where the
seated emperor gave out cash presents.
London, British Museum. Credits:
Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: emperor, donative
sestertius of Nero, 54-68 CE
larger version.
This coin depicts the opening of the new Roman port at Ostia (Portus).
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001; 2006
Keywords: harbor; shipping; ship; commerce
sestertius of Nero, 54-68 CE
depicting the opening of the new Roman port at Ostia (Portus).
Berlin, Pergamon Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: harbor; shipping; ship; commerce
denarius of Nero with Temple of Vesta, 64-68 CE
The reverse shows a round temple with 6 columns and the statue of Vesta within.
Rome, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme (National Museums). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2004
Keywords: coin, religion
bronze coin of
Nero, 54-68 CE
though Nero was still alive, this coin shows him wearing
the radiate crown of the sun god that signifies divinity.
London, British
Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
gold coin with head
of Nero, 54-68 CE
found in Herculaneum; he wears a laurel wreath and
sideburns
Naples, National Archaeological Museum (“Stories from an
Eruption” exhibit). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords:
aureus
gold coin with head
of Nero, 54-68 CE
he wears a laurel wreath and sideburns
Rome,
Palazzo Massimo alle Terme (National Museums). Credits: Barbara McManus,
2003
Keywords: aureus
gold coin with
facing portraits of Nero and Agrippina the Younger on obverse, 54 CE
The
legend reads “Agrippina Augusta, wife of the Divine Claudius, mother of
Nero Caesar” (AGRIPP. AVG. DIVI CLAVD. NERONIS CAES. MATER)
Rome,
Palazzo Massimo alle Terme (National Museums). Credits: Barbara McManus,
2003
Keywords: aureus
gold coin with
facing portraits of Nero and Agrippina the Younger on obverse, 54 CE
The
legend reads “Agrippina Augusta, wife of the Divine Claudius, mother of
Nero Caesar” (AGRIPP. AVG. DIVI CLAVD. NERONIS CAES. MATER). This coin was
found among the victims at Herculaneum.
Naples, National Archaeological
Museum (“Stories from an Eruption” exhibit). Credits: Barbara
McManus, 2003
Keywords: aureus
aureus of Nero, 64-65 CE
The obverse of the coin shows Nero, wearing the radiate crown of a deity, standing with patera and sceptre next to his wife Poppaea, standing with patera and cornucopia; the inscription reads “AVGVSTUS AVGVSTA.”
Palazzo Massimo alle Terme (National Museums). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2004
Keywords: coin, emperor, empress
base silver tetradrachm
of Alexandria, 180-192 CE
shows a ship carrying grain from Egypt to
Rome.
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords:
annona, Roman politics, food
aureus of Septimius
Severus, 193-211 CE;
shows a ship being loaded with wild animals to be
taken to the games at Rome.
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara
McManus, 2001
Keywords: circus, venatio, sport, hunt
sestertius
of Tiberius for his son Drusus Minor, c. 22 CE
Two crossed cornucopiae display the heads of Drusus' twin sons Tiberius Gemellus and Germanicus Gemellus, with a winged caduceus between them. Germanicus died as a toddler, but Tiberius Gemellus was adopted, and later killed, by Caligula.
Berlin, Pergamon Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: succession, children
bronze coin
of Tiberius for his son Drusus, c. 22 CE
Two crossed cornucopiae
display the heads of Drusus' sons Tiberius Gemellus and Germanicus, with a
winged caduceus between them.
Rome, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme (National
Museums). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: succession, children
bronze coin (as) of Tiberius
c. 22-30 CE
Obverse depicts the head of the deified Augustus wearing the radiate crown of the sun god, symbol of deification. The thunderbolt of Jupiter and the star of Julius Caesar also appear on the coin. The inscription reads DIVVS AVGVSTVS PATER.
Berlin, Pergamon Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: religion
coin of Tiberius c. 22-30 CE
Reverse depicts a square altar, possibly the Ara Pacis (Augustus' Altar of Peace) or the
Great Altar at Lugdunum (Lyons); coin was minted in honor of “Divus Augustus
Pater.” Inscription reads “S C PROVIDENT.”
Amsterdam, Allard Pierson Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
Keywords: city of Rome; religion
bronze coin
of Tiberius, Cyprus
obverse shows a seated Livia with the inscription
IVLIA A[VGVSTA], "Julia Augusta."
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara
McManus, 2001
Keywords: empress
bronze coin of Tiberius, mint of Utica, 14-21 CE
Obverse shows a seated Livia holding a libation bowl (patera) and a scepter.
Berlin, Pergamon Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: coin; empress
dupondius of Tiberius, 22-23 CE
Obverse shows the head of Livia with the inscription SALVS AVGVSTA; the word salus means "health" or "safety" and may refer to the well being of Livia, the Augustan family, the state, or all of these simultaneously.
Berlin, Pergamon Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: coin; empress
dupondius of Tiberius, 22-23 CE
Obverse shows an idealized female head (possibly Livia or another member of the imperial family) with the inscription IVSTITIA (Justice).
Rome, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme (National Museums). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2004
Keywords: coin; empress
dupondius of Tiberius, 22-23 CE
Obverse shows the an idealized female head (possibly Livia or another member of the imperial family) with the inscription IVSTITIA (Justice).
Munich, Münzsammlung. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: coin; empress
aureus of
Tiberius, c. 20 CE
obverse shows head of Tiberius
(larger version) wearing laurel
wreath; inscription reads TI[berius] CAESAR DIVI AVG[usti] F[ilius] AVGVSTVS, "Tiberius
Caesar Augustus, son of the Divine Augustus";
reverse shows a seated Livia
(larger version) representing Pax
(Peace) holding an olive branch and a scepter, with the inscription PONTIF[ex] MAXIM[us],
"chief priest."
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001; 2006
Keywords: empress; imperial symbolism
aureus of
Tiberius, c. 20 CE
Reverse shows a seated Livia representing Pax
(Peace) holding an olive branch and a scepter, with the inscription PONTIF[ex] MAXIM[us], "chief priest."
Rome, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme (National Museums). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2007
Keywords: empress; imperial symbolism
denarius of
Tiberius, 14-37 CE
Same description as above—obverse with
head of Tiberius;
reverse with seated Livia.
This coin is thought to be the coin that Jesus held up when asked whether it was lawful to
pay tribute to Rome: "And he saith unto them, 'Whose is this image and superscription?' And
they said unto Him, 'Caesar's.' And Jesus, answering, said unto them, 'Render to Caesar the
things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's.'" (Mark 12:14-17)
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2006
Keywords: empress; imperial symbolism; Christianity
aureus of Titus, 73 CE
This coin was struck while Vespasian was still emperor; the obverse has portrait of Titus wearing a laurel wreath and the words T[itus] CAES[ar] IMP[erator] VESP[asianus] CENS[or].
Berlin, Pergamon Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: coin, succession
bronze sestertius with
portrait of Titus; reverse, 79-81 CE
The
emperor is shown wearing a laurel wreath; reverse shows a palm tree with
mourning Jewish captives and the inscription IVD[AEA] CAP[TA], referring to the
suppression of the Jewish revolt by Vespasian and Titus.
London, British
Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: coin
coin minted by
Titus; larger
version
showing all four levels of the Colosseum; c. 80 CE
London,
British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1999, 2006
Keywords: arena;
gladiators; sports; city of Rome
coin minted by
Titus: showing all four levels of the Colosseum; c. 79-81 CE
London,
British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: arena; gladiators;
sports; city of Rome
coin minted by Titus; c. 80-81 CE
Shows all four levels of the Colosseum, plus Meta Sudans on left and entrance to Baths of Titus on right.
detail, emperor's box and internal stairs;
detail, 4 levels with statues in exterior niches.
New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2007
Keywords: arena; gladiators; sports; city of Rome
drawing of Titus colosseum coin
Rome, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme (National Museums). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2004
silver tetradrachm of Trajan, 98-117 CE; minted in Antioch, Syria
Trajan is shown wearing a laurel wreath. The reverse of this coin depicts
Tyche of Antioch, the city goddess representing luck or good fortune; below her is the river god Orontes.
Berlin, Pergamon Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus,
2005
Keywords: coin; Fortuna
aureus of Trajan, 103-111 CE
The reverse of this coin depicts Trajan wearing a toga and holding his right hand out to a boy
and girl who look up and reach out to him. Inscription reads CO[n]S[ul] V P[ater] P[atriae] S[enatus] P[opulus]Q[ue] R[omanus] OPTIMO PRINC[ipi] | ALIM[enta] ITAL[iae].
This coin celebrates Trajan's alimenta, a program which provided money for food for
orphaned children.
Berlin, Pergamon Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: alimentary; child welfare
aureus of Trajan, 103-111 CE
This is another issue of the above coin celebrating Trajan's alimenta.
Rome, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme (National Museums). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2004
Keywords: alimentary; child welfare
denarius of Trajan, 103-111 CE
This is different type of coin reverse that celebrates Trajan's alimenta.
A goddess holding a cornucopia in her left hand (often identified as Abundantia, but sometimes as a personification of Annona, the grain dole) holds her right hand down to a child, who looks up at her.
Rome, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme (National Museums). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2004
Keywords: alimentary; child welfare
aureus of Trajan, 98-117 CE
Trajan is shown wearing a laurel wreath, with the aegis on his shoulder. Inscription reads IMP[erator] CAES[ar] NERVA TRAIAN[us] AVG[ustus] GERM[anicus].
Berlin, Pergamon Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: coin, emperor
aureus of Trajan, 112-117 CE
Trajan is shown wearing a diadem. Inscription reads IMP[erator] TRAIANVS AVG[ustus] DAC[ianus]GER[manicus] P[ontifex] M[aximus] TR[ibunitia] P[otestate] CO[n]S[ul] VI P[ater] P[atriae].
Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2004
Keywords: coin
sestertius of Trajan, 112-117 CE
The reverse depicts Trajan's wife Plotina, with her characteristic diademed hairstyle; the inscription reads PLOTINA AVG[usta] IMP[eratoris] TRAIANI.
Berlin, Pergamon Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: coin, empress
aureus of Trajan, 112-117 CE
The reverse depicts Trajan's wife Plotina, with her characteristic diademed hairstyle; the inscription reads PLOTINA AVG[usta] IMP[eratoris] TRAIANI.
Rome, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme (Capitoline Museums). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2004
Keywords: coin, empress
aureus of
Trajan; larger
version, c. 115 CE
depicts Trajan's Column, celebrating his victory
over the Dacians.
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1999,
2001
Keywords: coin, city of Rome
aureus of Trajan,
112-117 CE
depicts the three porches of the Basilica Ulpia, with a 4-horse
chariot over the central porch, and a two-horse chariot over each side porch,
in the Forum of Trajan.
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus,
2001
Keywords: coin, city of Rome
aureus of
Trajan, 112-117 CE
depicts the triumphal arch which constituted the
entrance to the Forum of Trajan.
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara
McManus, 2001
Keywords: coin, city of Rome
bronze sestertius of Trajan, 104-111 CE
depicts the Circus Maximus; minted in Rome.
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1999
Keywords: coin, emperor, sport
bronze sestertius of Trajan, 104-111 CE
smaller version;
depicts the Circus Maximus; minted in Rome.
Berlin, Pergamon Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: coin, emperor, sport
drawing of bronze sestertius of Trajan: Circus Maximus; 104-111 CE
smaller version
Credits: J. Henry Middleton, The Remains of Ancient Rome. Vol. II. (1892) fig. 56, p. 45
Keywords: coin, emperor, sport
simplified drawing of Trajan's circus coin
Rome, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme (National Museums). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2003
bronze
sestertius of Trajan, 112-117 CE
depicts the three porches of the
Basilica Ulpia, with a 4-horse chariot over the central porch, and a two-horse
chariot over each side porch, in the Forum of Trajan.
London, British
Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: coin, city of Rome,
sport
bronze sestertius
of Trajan, 98-117 CE
depicts a bridge over the river Danube, referring
to his Dacian campaign.
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus,
2001
Keywords: coin, city of Rome, sport
bronze contorniate,
mid-fourth century CE
(large bronze medallion for emperor to give as gift
New Year's day); depicts chariot race in the Circus Maximus.
London,
British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 1999
Keywords: coin, emperor,
sport, donative
bronze
contorniate, mid-fourth century CE
(large bronze medallion for emperor
to give as gift New Year's day); depicts a water organ.
London, British
Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: coin, donative, music,
musical instrument
aureus of
Valentinian I, 364-75 CE
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara
McManus, 2001
Keywords: coin, imperial symbolism, donative
aureus of Vespasian, 78-79 CE
Obverse with portrait of Vespasian wearing a laurel wreath and the words VESPASIANVS AVG[ustus] CAESAR.
Berlin, Pergamon Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: coin, emperor
sestertius of Vespasian, 71 CE
Depiction of the Temple of Isis in the Campus Martius. Shows a temple with 4 columns; in the cella is a statue of
the goddess isis;
above the entrance is a lunate pediment with a
relief of Isis sitting on a dog. This temple of Isis was significant to Vespasian because it sheltered him and his son Titus as they waited for their joint triumph in 71 CE.
Berlin, Pergamon Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: coin, emperor
bronze sestertius of
Vespasian, 69-79 CE
depicts Capitoline Temple of Jupiter.
London,
British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: coin, emperor
aureus of Vespasian with Temple of Vesta, 73 CE
larger version
The reverse shows a round temple with 4 columns and the statue of Vesta within; there is a statue on either side of the temple.
Rome, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme (National Museums). Credits: Barbara McManus, 2007
drawing of bronze
sestertius of Vespasian: Capitoline Temple of Jupiter; 69-79 CE
Credits: Robert Burn, Rome and the Campagna, title page, 1876.
aureus of Vitellius, 69 CE
Obverse with portrait of Vitellius wearing a laurel wreath; this emperor ruled for less than a year in the tumultuous civil wars that followed the death of Nero.
Berlin, Pergamon Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005
Keywords: coin, emperor
gold pendant
containing aureus of Volusian, who reigned 251-53 CE
Emperor is shown
wearing the rayed crown of the sun god, traditional symbol of deity.
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001
Keywords: coin,
jewelry
base silver
tetradrachms of Alexandria, 162 CE
(representing 8 drachmae, the total
tax paid by one Sarapion for one camel-load of vegetable seed and two
donkey-loads of wheat, as recorded in a papyrus of that year)
detail, obverse;
detail, reverse
London, British Museum. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2001.
Go to Index, Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI, Part VII, Part VIII, Part IX, Part X, Part XI, Roman Coins: Republic and Principate, Greek Coins, Coins from the Hunterian Museum
revised January, 2008
