Roman Bronze Coins

Antoninus Pius, AD 138-161, AE Sestertius. Obv. Laureate head right. Rev. TR POT XIX COS IIII, S-C in field. Pax Standing left holding olive-branch and cornucopiae. [Sear 4249] Good Very fine with strong portrait.

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.

Marcus Claudius Tacitus (A.D. 275 - A.D. 276) apparently claimed descent from Tacitus, the famous Roman historian, reputedly giving out copies of his works. The records from the time are unreliable but what we do know is that after the chaos of Aurelian’s assassination he was eventually elevated by the Senate, from the Senate, temporarily ending the run of soldier emperors. Defeating the plundering ‘barbarian’ tribes in the east of the empire he earned the title ‘Gothicus Maximus’ but died on the return journey. A 6-month reign means his coins are scarce, especially in a high grade! We offer Billon Antoninianus of Tacitus in Extremely Fine condition with various reverses, most also still show traces of silvering. This short-lived emperor will be a gap in many collections so fill it with this high grade coin

On the 30th of October 1873, two large pear-shaped pots containing 29,802 Roman coins were dug up in Blackmoor Park in the parish of Selborne, Hampshire, halfway between Alton and Petersfield. The coins were closely packed and caked together with dirt so had to be carefully excavated, cleaned, and studied. The hoard consisted of coins dating up to around A.D. 296, the year of a battle near Woolmer, where the troops under the Emperor Constantius Chlorus defeated the army of the famous usurper Allectus to retake control of Britain. The hoard could be the unrecovered pay chest for the defeated armies of Allectus. Close to the location of the main coin find several other items have been found including bronze swords, spearheads, axe-heads, pottery, and other articles in metal including more coins. In 1975, the 4th Earl of Selborne decided to sell what he still had left of the hoard when it was auctioned by Christie’s on 9 December 1975. These coins have been tucked away since then and we are able to offer you a very limited quantity that we were able to purchase. The coins are billon Antoninianus of the emperors Victorinus and Tetricus and grade About Very Fine. The selection of coins from this hoard will be of our choice, but if you order more than one coin, we will try to provide you with different coins featuring the portraits of different emperors.

This hoard of 47,912 Third century A.D. bronze Antoniniani is one of the largest ever found in Britain. It was discovered by a metal detectorist in December 1985 in the parish of Normanby, about twelve miles north of Lincoln. The hoard was delivered to the British Museum for cleaning and study and was the subject of a Treasure Inquest on 19 May 1987, where it was found not to be Treasure Trove, in view of the low silver content of the coins, and consequently became the property of the land owner. The hoard was immediately sold by the owner to a coin dealer and has been gradually dispersed in the trade. We have been fortunate to acquire a small number of coins from this hoard. The coins were largely struck between A.D. 253 and 287 and are mostly of the emperors Gallienus, Claudius, Victorinus, and Tetricus I and II and grade Very Fine. The selection of coins from this hoard will be of our choice, but if you order more than one coin, we will try to provide you with different coins featuring the portraits of different emperors.

Probus became emperor in AD 276 after overthrowing the emperor Florianus. A native of the city of Sirmium in what is now Serbia, he rose to prominence and proved himself a capable administrator and commander and is recognised as an emperor who contributed to the revival of the Roman Empire at a time of severe turmoil and crisis. In AD 277/8 his armies defeated the Goths, Alamanni, Longiones, Franks, and Burgundians. He realised that the best way to keep his soldiers out of trouble was to keep them busy so, with the frontiers of the empire stabilised, he set his men to the task of rebuilding the shattered infrastructure of key provinces that had crumbled under previous emperors by building roads, bridges and fortifications, draining marshes, digging canals and, interestingly, planting extensive vineyards. New plantations sprang up across Europe and there is mention in some records of Probus authorising the planting of vineyards in Britain too so we may still be enjoying the fruits of his labours today! These Antoninianus, or ‘Ants’ as we call them, are as good as they come, virtually as struck and with original lustre. The reverses will be of our choice, and there are a variety of reverse types available most with standing figures but a limited number available in this grade.

Constantine the Great 307-337 AD - treasure trove roman bronze coin with London Mint Mark.

Before the Crisis of the Third Century, most cities in the Roman Empire did not have walls, dried fruit from Syria could be bought in Britain and copper from Cornwall was traded in Egypt! Sadly this did not last and continuing with our series we offer one of the harder major Emperors to get from the Crisis, Claudius II Gothicus. Born around A.D. 214 he had held several important military commands during the reigns of Valerian I and Gallienus. When Gallienus was murdered at the siege of Milan, Claudius was swiftly proclaimed emperor by the troops and approved by the Senate. He took the city of Milan and suppressed the rebellion. He quickly defeated the invading Alemanni tribe, then the invading Goths in A.D. 269, winning the title ‘Gothicus Maximus’. Next year the Goths attacked again in Thrace, but an outbreak of plague left them so weak they were again defeated by Claudius. But the plague spread from the captured Goths to the Roman army. Claudius himself fell victim and died of plague at Sirmium in August A.D. 269. He was the turning point in the fortunes of the Roman Empire, the beginning of a long struggle back to stability after The Crisis. We offer Billon Antoninianus with various reverses in an About Very Fine grade with various reverses. As is typical with these coins from The Crisis some will have weaker sections and the first to order will get the best! Claudius Gothicus is one of the hardest Crisis emperors to get so these will run out fast.

Continuing our series of the famous Constantinian Dynasty we offer Constans, the only son who certainly visited Britain. Born around A.D. 320, Constans was the youngest son of Constantine the Great. Following a short war with his brother, Constantine II, he survived and ruled the Western empire with Constantius II in the East. Constans even visited Britain in A.D. 343 by enduring the very dangerous crossing of the channel in mid-winter, campaigning against the Picts and Scots. This means Constans was the last legitimate Roman Emperor we know visited our shores. In A.D. 350 he was killed while on a hunting trip in Gaul by followers of the usurper Magnentius who went on to rule. We offer bronze coins struck between A.D. 342-348 with his bust on the obverse. The two Victories facing each other on the reverse symbolise military success for both Constans and his surviving brother, Constantius II. Here we offer them in Fine, we suspect it will sell out fast like the others in this series.

Continuing our series of the famous Constantinian Dynasty we offer Constans, the only son who certainly visited Britain. Born around A.D. 320, Constans was the youngest son of Constantine the Great. Following a short war with his brother, Constantine II, he survived and ruled the Western empire with Constantius II in the East. Constans even visited Britain in A.D. 343 by enduring the very dangerous crossing of the channel in mid-winter, campaigning against the Picts and Scots. This means Constans was the last legitimate Roman Emperor we know visited our shores. In A.D. 350 he was killed while on a hunting trip in Gaul by followers of the usurper Magnentius who went on to rule. We offer bronze coins struck between A.D. 342-348 with his bust on the obverse. The two Victories facing each other on the reverse symbolise military success for both Constans and his surviving brother, Constantius II. Here we offer them in Very Fine, we suspect they will sell out fast...

Constantine I is the only Roman emperor called ‘the Great’. His father was Constantius I who died at York in A.D. 306 so the army proclaimed Constantine emperor. From A.D. 307 Constantine pronounced himself ‘Augustus’ and slowly but surely rose to become the sole ruler of the empire. During Constantine’s rise, he needed to link himself to past rulers to show he was the rightful emperor. He had inherited from his father, Constantius I, and he married the old emperor Maximian’s daughter, Fausta, in A.D. 307. In A.D. 310 a dubious family link was ‘discovered’ with Claudius II Gothicus (a popular emperor from A.D. 268-270), emphasising his hereditary right to rule. Between A.D. 316-318 Constantine minted intriguing coins commemorating these dead emperors. Searching through old storage we found a group of these Scarce, small bronze coins he struck for Claudius II. They have the veiled head of Claudius II on the obverse with him seated on the reverse in a full toga & veil. The legend on the obverse shows ‘DIVO CLAVDIO’ & they grade About Very Fine. Own this Scarce piece of ancient propaganda from Constantine the Great!

Constantine I is the only Roman emperor called ‘the Great’. His father was Constantius I who died in York in A.D. 306 so the army proclaimed Constantine emperor. From A.D. 307 Constantine pronounced himself ‘Augustus’ and slowly but surely became the sole ruler of the empire. Notably, at the Milvian Bridge in A.D. 312, he defeated Maxentius with a Christian symbol on his soldier’s shields given by God in a dream. As he aged Constantine left the old gods behind, becoming Christian, and this support shaped our modern world as Christianity in the medieval era was the common cause that united the West. He was baptised just before his death in A.D. 337 at roughly 65. We offer you this bronze coin minted before his conversion to Christianity. It grades in About Very Fine condition with a pagan reverse of Sol Invictus the sun god, made before A.D. 320. If you already have the 'Wreath' reverse (offered below), a coin made after Constantine moved away from pagan imagery, you can pair it with this coin and display in your collection coinage of the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity both 'before and after' this important event, that would alter the course of history!

From the series of the famous Constantinian Dynasty, we are now offering Constantine II, the son who thought that he should have ruled alone as the eldest. Probably born in A.D. 316 to Constantine the Great, Constantine Junior was raised to the rank of Caesar very young in A.D. 317, showing some military prowess in the next 20 years. On the death of his father in A.D. 337, he was made Senior Augustus and given Spain, Gaul, and Britain to rule. He thought he deserved more so set out to take from his younger brother, Constans, in Italy. But Constantine was ambushed by his brother’s troops and killed in A.D. 340, lasting only three years. We offer bronze coins struck A.D. 330-337 with the reverse ‘GLORIAEXERCITVS’ or ‘Glory to the Army'. Here we offer the coin in Fine, very reasonable for a coin almost 2,000 years old. Get it now, so you won't feel jealous later...

Josh bought an incredible group of Roman bronze coins. What is outstanding about this group is their condition. They are in a splendid mint state, really outstanding condition. Josh has been selling Fine and Very Fine examples in the past but these coins are Mint State, even he was amazed! Even if you don’t collect Roman coins, at our special price and the fantastic condition the coins are in, you should't really miss out on the offer. Each coin comes with a history of that Emperor and a certificate of authenticity. We have three different Emperors on offer, here we present Constantine II. These bronze coins are about 1,700 years old and in Mint condition! The quality is most impressive, as are our prices all things considered. The denomination is Centenionalis, we sometimes call them ‘Cent’ for short. Please don’t miss out on this Special Offer, we highly recommend it and supplies are limited...

From the series of the famous Constantinian Dynasty, we are now offering Constantine II, the son who thought that he should have ruled alone as the eldest. Probably born in A.D. 316 to Constantine the Great, Constantine Junior was raised to the rank of Caesar very young in A.D. 317, showing some military prowess in the next 20 years. On the death of his father in A.D. 337, he was made Senior Augustus and given Spain, Gaul, and Britain to rule. He thought he deserved more so set out to take from his younger brother, Constans, in Italy. But Constantine was ambushed by his brother’s troops and killed in A.D. 340, lasting only three years. We offer bronze coins struck A.D. 330-337 with the reverse ‘GLORIA EXERCITVS’ or ‘Glory to the Army’. Here we offer the coin in Very Fine, very reasonable for a coin almost 2,000 years old. Get it now, so you won't feel jealous later...

This is one of a handful of very interesting commemorative issues struck by Constantine the Great. The type offered here is one of the more a affordable types and was made for the founding of Constantinople in A.D. 330. They are made from bronze and show the bust of Goddess of the city, ‘Constantinopolis’, in a helmet and war gear on the obverse. The reverse shows the goddess of Victory on the prow of a ship holding a sceptre and shield. This is to symbolise the port being captured using ships by Constantine’s son, Crispus. But what makes these coins so interesting is how well they have survived! At this time bronze coins would circulate so heavily that it is very hard to find them in a good grade. We have a small collection of this commemorative from 1400 years ago in this exceptional About Extremely Fine grade. They are yours for just £69.50.

After a period of time out of stock we have just managed to source more of these charming commemorative issues struck by Constantine the Great. The type offered here was made to reaffirm Rome as the centre of the empire in A.D. 330. They are made from bronze and show the Goddess of the city, ‘Roma’, in a helmet and war gear on the obverse. The reverse shows the She-Wolf (Lupa Romana) suckling the babies Romulus and Remus. This is to symbolise the origin story of the founding of Rome. At the time bronze coins would circulate so heavily that it is very hard to find them in a good grade but we have managed to get just 25 more in Extremely Fine and they are still very affordable at just £79.50.

This is a very interesting Ancient Roman commemorative coin of Constantine the Great. It was issued to commemorate the founding of Constantinople. You have the bust of Constantine the Great on one side and a standing goddess with wings on the other. Roman commemorative coins tend to be scarce and expensive. This is one of only two commemoratives that is both reasonable and available. They are struck in copper and we have them in Fine, they represent a very important historic event.

Born in Etruria around A.D. 325 Gallus was a sickly child, saving him in A.D. 337 from the purges by the sons of Constantine I. By A.D. 351 Constantius II was ruling alone and needed support. He raised his cousin Gallus to the rank of Caesar, gave him the name Constantius and appointed him governor over the Eastern provinces of the Roman Empire. But Gallus was not fit for the job. He was so tyrannical and brutal that the local citizens were forced to complain directly to Constantius II to avoid retribution. Constantius recalled Gallus to Italy, had him arrested on the journey, tried and executed in A.D 354! As he only reigned three years Gallus is the hardest to find of all the Constantinian ruling dynasty. These coins, in Fine and Very Fine, show a soldier spearing a fallen horseman on the reverse with a profile bust of Constantius Gallus on the obverse. Gallus will be missing from many collections and our supplies are limited, do not miss out.

Continuing our series of the famous Constantinian Dynasty we offer Constantius II, the last surviving son of Constantine the Great. Constantius II was born in A.D. 317 and named after his grandfather, the Tetrach Constantius I, who came to Britain and died at York. After Constantine the Great died in A.D. 337 Constantius II shared the rule of the empire with his two brothers. After a 13 years of tension Constantius II emerged as the sole ruler of the Roman Empire. He was involved in many wars throughout his reign, putting down rebellions and defending the empire against invaders. He died in A.D. 361 on the way to fight another rival, who became his successor, Julian II. These bronze coins offered here in Fine have the reverse design of a Roman soldier spearing a fallen horseman with the obverse showing a profile bust of Constantius II. We have offered different types of Constantius II before, check your collection as we suspect you will not have this reverse from this interesting and successful ruler.

Continuing our series of the famous Constantinian Dynasty we offer Constantius II, the last surviving son of Constantine the Great. Constantius II was born in A.D. 317 and named after his grandfather, the Tetrach Constantius I, who came to Britain and died at York. After Constantine the Great died in A.D. 337 Constantius II shared the rule of the empire with his two brothers. After a 13 years of tension Constantius II emerged as the sole ruler of the Roman Empire. He was involved in many wars throughout his reign, putting down rebellions and defending the empire against invaders. He died in A.D. 361 on the way to fight another rival, who became his successor, Julian II. These bronze coins offered here in Very Fine have the reverse design of a Roman soldier spearing a fallen horseman with the obverse showing a profile bust of Constantius II. We have offered different types of Constantius II before, check your collection as we suspect you will not have this reverse from this interesting and successful ruler.

Contemporary imitation of Augustus & Agrippa. Ca 29-15 B.C., Nemausus, Gaul. Æ Dupondius. 'IMP DIVI F' Stylised Agrippa L. wearing rostral crown & Augustus bare head R., back to back / 'COL-NEM' Stylised crocodile R. chained to tree with wreath above, jaws both facing up. Good Very Fine with chocolate patina & Rare! Celtic in style, light weight & exciting.

Continuing our series of the famous Constantinian Dynasty we offer Crispus, the son who was second only to Constantine before being executed. A 1700-year-old mystery that will likely never be solved. Flavius Julius Crispus was born around A.D. 300, the son of Constantine the Great by his first wife Minervina. Made Caesar in A.D. 317 Crispus had a very successful military career, even helping his father to overcome and defeat the rival emperor Licinius in A.D. 324. He was all but heir to the throne but in A.D. 326 he was mysteriously executed on the orders of his father, Constantine the Great. The best theory we have is that his stepmother, the Empress Fausta, engineered it for her own son’s advancement as shortly after Fausta herself was dead on the orders of her devastated and furious husband. These bronze coins were struck in the early A.D. 320s and have various reverses. Crispus does not reign long and after his death, a ‘Damnatio Memoriae’ was enacted meaning his coins are Scarce, and we have limited stock available for this coin. These coins remain some of the best sources of information for him being Caesar. We offer them here in Fine, do not miss out.

Domitian AD 81-96, AE Sestertius, Rome AD 90-91. Obverse: Laureate head right. Reverse: IOVI VICTORI, Jupiter seated left holdng Victory and sceptre, S C below in exergue. Good Very Fine, a well centred and well struck up coin, a little surface pitting evident.

Gallienus (A.D. 253-268) is a much maligned Roman emperor. Originally he ruled jointly with his father, Valerian I, until the latter was scandalously captured for life by the Sassanid Empire in A.D. 260. Throughout Gallienus’ reign he also faced natural disasters, disease and invasions on all sides. But most serious were at least 8 internal rebellions from his own governors and generals, the last one killed him! Even with these setbacks his impressive 15 years was by far the longest reign of the period called ‘The Crisis of the Third Century’. His reforms, such as a mobile field army, set the stage for the revival of the empire by others after he died. We have put together a small group of his billon silver Antoniniani with various reverses. The chaos of his reign famously meant the quality of his coins declined compared to earlier emperors. What makes these we offer so special is that the portraits are all clear and in Extremely Fine grade! And at a price we think you will agree is most fair, we got a good deal on these so we pass that saving on to you, don’t miss out...