Products tagged with 'Five Good Emperors'

Born in A.D. 86 Antoninus was made Caesar after Hadrian’s preferred heir Aelius died in A.D. 138. He succeeded to the throne that year and earned the title ‘Pius’ (which means dutiful or respectful) for two reasons. Firstly, by threatening the Senate with resignation if they did not deify Hadrian. Secondly, as Hadrian had wanted, he adopted young Lucius Verus and Marcus Aurelius at the start of his reign. What makes him so unusual is that he presided over the most peaceful reign of any emperor, governing well and wisely as a compassionate ruler. He set up charities, built public works for his people, and brought in laws such as ‘innocent until proven guilty’; some historians have argued it could be the greatest collective human happiness in a period of time in history. In Britain, he caused the ‘Antonine Wall’ to be built from the Firth of Forth to the Firth of Clyde, north of Hadrian’s Wall, to keep the Picts out. We offer Silver Denarius of Antoninus Pius in a Very Fine condition, showing his laureate head on the obverse and various reverses.

Antoninus Pius. A.D. 138-161. Rome - A.D. 153. Æ Sestertius. Laureate head right / 'COS IIII' Salus standing left, holding sceptre and feeding arising from altar, 'S-C' in fields. Extremely Fine and scarce in this grade with a pleasing patina and wonderful bold portrait.

Hadrian was one of the ablest and conscientious of the Roman Emperors. He spent his reign visiting the vast majority of his provinces, consolidating and strengthening the Empire’s defenses after the expansion by his predecessor, Trajan. The most famous example of his work was Hadrian’s Wall! Sprawling from the River Tyne in the East, to the River Solway in the West: at 73 miles (117.5 kilometres) it is the largest Roman monument anywhere in the world! We offer a Silver Denarius of Hadrian in an About Very Fine condition showing his bust on the obverse with various reverses. Everyone has heard of Hadrian, and he is one of the five good emperors. You can now add a silver Denarius to your collection for a very reasonable price. Act quickly supplies are limited...

Hadrian, AD 117-138. Æ Sestertius, Rome AD 137. Laur. & cuir. bust to right. Reverse. SPES P R SC, Spes advancing left holding flower & lifting hem of dress. Very Fine with pleasing tone and scarce. (Sear 3648, RIC 790)

Nerva. A.D. 96-98. Rome - Sept-Dec A.D. 97. Æ Sestertius. Laureate head right / 'FORTVNA AVGVST' Fortuna standing left, holding rudder and cornucopiae; 'S-C' across fields. Very Fine & Rare. This coin asks for fortune for the emperor. An impressive portrait of Nerva this highlights his aquiline nose.

Trajan AD 98-117, AE As, Rome AD 107. Obv. Laureate head of Trajan right. Rev. SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI, Trajan on horseback trampling Dacian warrior, S C in exergue. Pleasing Very Fine and Scarce