Roman Imperial Coins

Born of humble origin around A.D. 245 in Dalmatia near Split, Diocletian bought order to the Roman world after nearly 60 years of chaos. Like many of his predecessors, he had a military career, rising through the ranks to high command. Following the murder of the emperor Numerian, Diocletian was proclaimed emperor by his troops. Then the defeat of Carinus (brother of Numerian) left Diocletian in undisputed control of the Empire. Having realised the empire was too big for one person alone he quickly appointed an old army colleague, Maximian, as co-emperor. He also settled the problem of succession by the appointment of two junior Caesars, one for himself and Maximian. Diocletian spent much of his reign campaigning against Rome’s enemies on the Danube frontier, in North Africa, Egypt and Syria. Although there were Christians at all levels of society at this time, Diocletian worshipped the old Roman gods and was responsible for A savage persecution of Christians. Diocletian was a prolific builder and did much to overhaul the tax system and reform the coinage in an attempt to counter inflation. He abdicated in A.D. 305 and retired to his palace in Split. He died there in A.D. 311 a broken man, having watched his reforms trampled to death by the likes of Constantine the Great and Licinius. The coins we offer here are Billon Antoninianus in Extremely Fine condition with various reverses

Gallic Empire. Postumus. A.D. 260-269., Cologne - A.D. 260-265. Billon Ant. Radiate bust right / 'LAETITIA AVG' Galley sailing left over waves with rowers & steersman. Toned Very Fine with slightly weak reverse & Scarce. This likely commemorates a visit to Britain.

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...

Gordian III. A.D. 238-244., Rome - A.D. 239. AR Antoninianus. Radiate bust right / 'PAX AVGVSTI' Pax standing left holding branch & sceptre. Toned Extremely Fine with slightly weak reverse.

Gordian III. A.D. 238-244., Rome - A.D. 241-243. AR Antoninianus. Radiate bust right / 'AETERNITATI AVG' Sol stg. left holding globe & saluting. Toned Good Very Fine.

Gordian III. A.D. 238-244., Rome - A.D. 244. AR Antoninianus. Radiate bust right / 'FELICIT TEMP' Felicitas stg. holding long caduceus & cornucopiae. Toned Good Very Fine.

Herennia Etruscilla, Wife of T. Decius., Rome - A.D. 250. AR Antoninianus. Diademed bust right on crescent / 'PVDICITIA AVG' Pudicitia stg. left holding sceptre & drawing veil across face. Very Fine & Scarce.

Herennius Etruscus as Caesar. A.D. 250-251., Rome. AR Antoninianus. Radiate bust right / 'PIETAS AVGVSTORVM' Priestly implements: sprinkler, simpulum, jug, patera, & lituus. Good Very Fine with better portait & Very Scarce.

Otacilia Severa. Wife of Philip I., Rome - A.D. 247-249. AR Antoninianus. Diademed bust right on crescent / 'CONCORDIA AVGG' Concordia seated left holding patera & double cornucopiae. Good Very Fine. The crescent is for the goddess Luna.

Philip I (A.D. 244-249) was nicknamed ‘The Arab’ by the Romans because he was born in the province of ‘Arabia Petraea’, near Damascus. He came to the throne by plotting against, and then murdering his predecessor, Gordian III. Famously, his reign saw the Thousand year anniversary of the founding of Rome, which he celebrated with lavish ceremonies and spectacular games and hunting events. Sadly the good times did not last and amongst wider unrest across the empire, he was killed in battle with his successor, the ‘usurper’ Trajan Decius. We offer to you Silver Antoninianii of Philip I with various reverses such as gods and goddesses. These attractive coins grade Very Fine and are great in any collection but make especially good presents for anyone named Philip! Join this coin on its journey through time, the latest person to hold it and think of the past.

Philip I. A.D. 244-249. Rome - A.D. 248. AR Antoninianus. Radiate bust right / 'SAECVLVM NOVVM' Hexastyle temple with seated Roma statue. Toned, About Extremely Fine & Scarce. Hadrian's temple of Roma in Rome.

Postumus was the governor of Germany in A.D. 260 when the emperor Valerian was captured in the East. With the Roman world in crisis barbarian raiding parties were crossing the borders but his defeat of one group, the Juthungians, led to him being proclaimed emperor by his troops. He then managed to push the others out of the western provinces and re-established the old Rhine frontier, making him very popular! Gallienus failed multiple times to defeat him so the rebel Postumus was left in control of Britain, Gaul, Iberia and parts of Germany, forming what was called the ‘Gallic Empire’. In A.D. 269, Laelianus, the governor of Germany, rebelled against him and was defeated at the siege of Mainz. Sadly, Postumus was then murdered by his own troops for refusing to allow them to plunder the city! Postumus minted coins that had at least twice as much silver in than the coins being made by Gallienus’ central government in Rome. We offer these Billon Silver Antoninianus of Postumus with various reverses in Extremely Fine condition, meaning very limited wear since they were struck. Due to the crisis at the time that striking can be a little weak so first to order will get the best! It has been a while since we have been able to get a group of these, we have priced them to please, but we cannot guarantee the price will not have to go up in the future…

Trebonianus Gallus. A.D. 251-253., Antioch - A.D. 251-252. Billon Antoninianus. Radiate bust right / 'ADVENTVS AVG' Emperor on horseback left saluting & holding sceptre. Good Very Fine & Scarce.

Valerian was from a traditional Roman senatorial family and had a long, distinguished career. In A.D. 253, at 58, he was declared emperor and his son, Gallienus, was made joint ruler. Valerian left Gallienus in the West and took command in the East. He campaigned against the Persians and restored order but, in A.D. 260 he and his army were captured alive by the Persian king, Shapur. Legends talk of Shapur using Valerian as a footstool, a mounting step and feeding him molten gold; then flaying him and placing the skin on display. But, in all stone carvings on the necropolis of Naghshe-Rostamhat, Valerian is showing holding hands with Shapur in submission as a living prisoner. Also, Band-e Kaisar (Caesar’s Dam) near modern Shushtar, Iran was built around the time of Valerian with Roman techniques, alien to anything around. I suspect he and his captured army was put to work! We may never know sadly, a mystery lost to time. What you can have though is a coin from his reign, before he was captured! We have a little group of his billon silver Antoninianus in Very Fine condition. Enjoy your coin of the ensnared emperor.

Valerian I. A.D. 253-260. Lugdunum - A.D. 258. AR Antoninianus. Radiate bust right / 'DEO VOLCANO' Vulcan standing left holding hammer & tongs, anvil to left; all within tetrastyle temple. Very Fine & Very Scarce.