Roman Silver Coins

Caracalla. A.D. 198-217., Laodicea - A.D. 201. AR Denarius. Laur. bust r. / 'SAL GEN HVM' Salus stg. on r. hdg. snake staff & raising female figure. Reverse surface deposit, Good Very Fine & Very Scarce type.

Antoninus Pius, Roman Emperor from 138 to 161 AD, is remembered for his peaceful and prosperous reign. After being adopted by Emperor Hadrian, he ascended the throne and was later defied as “Divus Antoninus Pius.” His rule emphasised stability, legal reform, and infrastructure development. Antoninus focused on consolidating the empire rather than expanding it, maintaining peace through diplomacy and efficient governance. He improved judicial systems, enacted policies for social welfare, and commissioned extensive building projects. His era, often seen as a golden age, was marked by economic prosperity and relative tranquillity, making him one of Rome’s most revered and respected emperors. We are offering a small group of Divus Antoninus denarii, struck posthumously by Marcus Auerliues to honour the reign of Antoninus. The coins have the bare bust of Antoninus on the obverse and on the reverse either an altar or an eagle sat on an altar. They come in Good fine grade. PLEASE NOTE: PHOTOGRAPHY IS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COIN SUPPLIED

Elagabalus, 218-222 AD. Billon Tetradrachm, Antioch. Laur. ust of Elagabalus rt. / Eagle standing wings spread. Very fine

Faustina Junior wife of M. Aurelius. A.D. 161-175., Rome. AR Denarius. Draped bust r. / 'FECVNDITAS' Fecunditas stg. r. hdg. sceptre & child. Gorgeous Good Extremely Fine.

The Gallienus Antoninianus with a Fortuna reverse highlights the emperor’s appeal to Fortuna, the goddess of fortune and fate, during the turbulent Crisis of the Third Century. The obverse features Gallienus’s radiate bust, symbolising his divine authority. The reverse depicts Fortuna standing, often holding a rudder and cornucopia, symbolising guidance and prosperity. These coins conveyed optimism and reassurance to a troubled population, projecting Gallienus’s ability to navigate Rome through uncertain times with divine favour and good fortune. We have a small group of these Antoniniani available in Good very Fine. PLEASE NOTE: PHOTOGRAPHY IS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COIN SUPPLIED

Born in 218 AD, Publius Licinius Egnatius Gallienus grappled with the challenges of the Crisis of the Third Century during his reign as Roman Emperor. He faced invasions by barbarian tribes, numerous usurpers, and the loss of various provinces from the Empire. Responding to the crisis, Gallienus adopted a strategy of co-emperorship, appointing several co-rulers to help manage diff erent regions of the vast empire. However, this move, aimed at restoring stability, challenged his authority and contributed to the tragic death of his sons. Despite his efforts, Gallienus’s reign was marked by ongoing turmoil, and his life came to an abrupt end in 268 A.D. when he was assassinated during a coup. Nonetheless, historians acknowledge Gallienus for extending the empire’s existence by another 208 years. The Antoninianus coins we are offering, featuring exquisite silvering and either a standing or sitting figure on reverse, providing a glimpse into the earlier years of his reign when the silver content was more significant as towards the end of his reign they had reduced to around 6% silver, making these examples particularly scarce, they come in Very Fine grade.

Geta, as caesar. A.D. 189-209. AR Denarius, Rome 199 A.D. Bare head right, draped, cuirassed / NOBILITAS, Nobilitas, draped, standing r. holding sceptre in right hand and palladium in extended left hand. Some surface deposits on reverse. About Extremely Fine

Gordian III was in Rome when his grandfather, Gordian I, and uncle, Gordian II, declared themselves emperors in A.D. 238 from Carthage. They were in opposition to Maximinus Thrax but both were defeated by his loyal governor and died after a joint reign of just 21 days. In Rome the Senate hurriedly appointed Balbinus and Pupienus as joint emperors; they immediately gave Gordian III the rank of Caesar to bolster their own regime. Luckily for them Maximinus was killed by his own men, but after just a few months both Balbinus and Pupienus were murdered by the Praetorian Guard. Gordian III was then proclaimed sole emperor and thus emerged from the turbulent events of A.D. 238 as sole ruler of the mighty Roman Empire, all at the age of thirteen! Very little is recorded of the events of Gordian’s six year reign, which in ancient writings is usually a sign of peace and prosperity. In A.D. 242, he led an initially successful campaign against the Persians. But in A.D. 244 he died, likely murdered by the Praetorian Prefect who then seized the throne, Philip I. The coins we offer here are billon silver Antoninianus showing Gordian III’s portrait on the obverse and various reverses. The grade of the coin is Extremely Fine. PLEASE NOTE: PHOTOGRAPHY IS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COIN SUPPLIED

Gordian III, AD 238-244. AR Antoninianus, late AD 239. Radiate, draped bust right / P M TR P II COS P P, Fides standing front with standard & sceptre. Good Extremely Fine, toned and well centred.

Gordian III. A.D. 238-244., AR Ant. Rad. bust r. / Gordian stg. r. Toned Extremely Fine/Good Very Fine.

Herennia Etruscilla, Wife of T. Decius., Rome - A.D. 250. AR Ant. Diad. bust r. on crescent / 'PVDICITIA AVG' Pudicitia stg. l. hdg. sceptre & pulling veil down. Lustrous Extremely Fine & Scarce thus.

Julia Maesa 218-222 AD. AR Denarius. Rome. Draped bust right. / Fecunditas, draped, standing L. Extending her right hand over a child and holding cornucopiae in left hand. Good Very fine.

Julia Maesa, Grandmother of Elagabalus., AR Antoninianus. Draped bust r. on crescent / Pietas stg. l. Very Fine & Scarce denomination for Maesa.

Julia Mamaea, Mother of S. Alexander., Rome - A.D. 231. AR Denarius. Diad. bust r. / 'VENVS VICTRIX' Venus stg. l. hdg. helmet & sceptre with shield feet. Extremely Fine with shadow of the obverse on the reverse.

Maximinus I Thrax, A.D. 235-238. AR Denarius, Rome - A.D. 236-238. Laureate bust r. / FIDES MILITVM, Fides stg. holding two standards. Good Very Fine

Philip I. A.D. 244-249., AR Ant. Rad. bust r. / Virtus std. l. Good Very Fine.

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 the rebel Postumus was left in control of Britain, Gaul, Spain and parts of Germany, forming what was called the ‘Gallic Empire’. Like many emperors at the time Postumus was murdered by his own troops in A.D. 269. At the start of his reign Postumus minted coins that were about 20% silver, at least twice as much silver than the coins being made by Gallienus’ central government in Rome. Later in his reign as he ran out of resources he lowered the silver content to about 5%, the same as the rest of the empire. This is the 20% grade Very Fine meaning an ancient person has used it.

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 the rebel Postumus was left in control of Britain, Gaul, Spain and parts of Germany, forming what was called the ‘Gallic Empire’. Like many emperors at the time Postumus was murdered by his own troops in A.D. 269. At the start of his reign Postumus minted coins that were about 20% silver, at least twice as much silver than the coins being made by Gallienus’ central government in Rome. Later in his reign as he ran out of resources he lowered the silver content to about 5%, the same as the rest of the empire. This is the 5% silver grade Extremely Fine meaning they’ve had very limited use since they were struck.

Salonina, wife of Gallienus, lived during the intense Third Century Crisis of the Roman Empire. Despite the challenges of the era, she exerted a stabilising influence on her husband’s reign. Known for her intelligence and political acumen, Salonina actively supported Gallienus in his efforts to defend the empire against external threats, including invasions by Germanic tribes and usurpers within the Roman ranks. Her presence at court provided a sense of legitimacy and continuity during a time of upheaval. Although historical accounts of her life are scarce, Salonina is remembered as a steadfast consort who stood by Gallienus during his turbulent reign. We are offering a group of Antoninianus with beautiful silver patina coming in “Good Very Fine” grade. The obverse shows the bust of Salonina and the reverse has either a standing or seated deity

Septimius Severus. A.D. 193-211., AR Denarius. Laureate head right. / 'LIBERO PATRI' Liber (Bacchus) standing left.; Panther at feet. About Very Fine

Severus Alexander 222-235 AD. AR Denarius. Rome. Laureate bust right. / Mars standing holding branch and spear. Very Fine.

Severus Alexander. 222-235 A.D. Rome, 222 A.D. AR Denarius. Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right / P M TR P COS P P Libertas standing l. holding cap and cornucopia. Extremely fine.

Gaius Messius Quintus Trajanus Decius, known as Trajan Decius or simply Decius, was Roman emperor from 249 to 251. A distinguished politician during the reign of Philip the Arab, Decius was proclaimed emperor by his troops after putting down a rebellion in Moesia. In 249, he defeated and killed Philip near Verona and was recognized as emperor by the Senate afterwards. During his reign, he attempted to strengthen the Roman state and its religion, leading to the Decian persecution, where a number of prominent Christians (including Pope Fabian) were put to death. In the last year of his reign, Decius co-ruled with his son Herennius Etruscus, until they were both killed by the Goths in the Battle of Abritus. We have ten high grade examples of these silver Antoninianus available struck during his short reign. They have his portrait on the obverse and various reverse types usually depicting a standing figure. All coins supplied will be fully identified as to the reverse type. If you order more than one then we will ensure that you receive different types.

Trajan 98–117 AD was a Roman emperor renowned for his military conquests, administrative reforms, and public works. Born in Hispania, he became the first non-Italian emperor, symbolizing Rome’s expanding inclusivity. Trajan’s military campaigns, particularly his victories in Dacia, expanded the empire to its greatest territorial extent. His reign is marked by monumental projects such as Trajan’s Forum, Market, and Column, celebrating his achievements and benefiting Roman society. Known for his justice and generosity, he implemented social welfare programs like the alimenta to support poor children. Trajan’s leadership earned him the enduring reputation of one of Rome’s greatest emperors. Own a wonderful silver denarius from his reign. This is offered in Very Fine condition and still at reasonable prices. PLEASE NOTE: PHOTOGRAPHY IS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COIN SUPPLIED

Trajan. A.D. 98-117., AR Denarius. Laur. bust r. / Vesta std. l. hdg. Palladium & sceptre. Very Fine.