Roman Imperial Coins

Titus Flavius Domitianus was born in Rome in A.D. 51 to the future emperor Vespasian. Side-lined for much of his youth, the sudden death of his older brother, Titus, in A.D. 81 made Domitian emperor. His tyrannical reputation is due to the historians writing about him being of the senatorial ruling class with whom he clashed politically; he executed at least 12 ex-consuls! But, when all the evidence is considered, including archaeology such as coins, it shows he was a ruthless but efficient ruler who provided the foundation of the peaceful second century. He was loved by the people and the army for improving their lives, for instance he improved the silver quality of the coinage, therefore public trust in money. We have a small group of Domitian’s silver Denarius grading Very Fine that show his bust on the obverse and his patron deity, Minerva, standing on the reverse. She was the Roman version of Athena, the goddess of wisdom, justice, law, victory, and the sponsor of arts, trade, and strategic warfare. Fill this gap in your collection and decide for yourself, Tyrant or Terribly Misunderstood?

Hadrian was one of the most able and conscientious of the Roman Emperors. He spent his reign visiting the vast majority of his provinces. His most famous work was Hadrian’s Wall, the largest Roman monument anywhere in the world! We offer a Silver Denarius of Hadrian in Fine condition showing his bust on the obverse with various reverses.

Trajan has one of the best legacies, ancient or modern, of any Roman emperor! When later emperors were sworn in it was wished they be ‘luckier than Augustus and better than Trajan’. He literally set the bar for what the Romans saw as a good ruler. Today he is one of the ‘Five Good Emperors’. Trajan was born in A.D. 53 in Italica, Spain, his father had been a consul and governor of Syria. Trajan rose quickly and because he was so popular, importantly with the army, he was adopted in A.D. 97 by the reigning emperor Nerva. Following the death of Nerva the next year, Trajan became emperor. His 19-year reign saw three major conflicts which led to the territory of the Roman Empire being increased to its greatest size. Within the Empire Trajan was a great builder, to name a few projects: the Forum Traiani, Trajan’s Market, an amphitheatre for sea battles, and a new harbour at Ostia. He also established a number of Colonies for retired soldiers and in Italy set up a charity to help orphans and poor children called the Alimentia, shown on one of his rare coins. His most famous and lasting monument is perhaps Trajan’s Column which can still be seen in Rome. When he died he was buried beneath it with Hadrian becoming emperor. We are not often able to offer Trajan’s coins in groups, especially his silver Denarius! They are becoming increasingly hard to find, as he is such a popular emperor, but with much searching, we are able to offer them to you here in Good Fine grade with various reverses.

Trajan. A.D. 98-117. Rome - A.D. 113. AR Denarius. Laureate bust right / 'S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI' Annona standing holding corn ears & cornucopiae, child at feet left; 'ALIM ITAL' in exergue. Slight obverse pitting, Very Fine & Scarce type. The 'Alimenta Italiae' charity lasted 150 years & used the interest from landowner loans to feed orphan children.

Trajan. A.D. 98-117., Rome - A.D. 109. AR Denarius. Laureate bust right / 'COS V P P S P Q R OPTIMO PRINC' Arabia standing left holding branch & cinnamon sticks; camel at feet left. Very Fine & Scarce.

Trajan. A.D. 98-117., Rome - A.D. 115. AR Denarius. Laureate bust right / 'COS VI P P S P Q R' Naked Bonus Eventus stg. left holding patera & corn ears. Flan edge split, Extremely Fine.