Mark Antony and Cleopatra Silver Denarius, struck during 34BC, Alexandria

This coin shows the portrait of Cleopatra, ruler of Egypt, and represents her joint coinage with Mark Antony.

Obv: Head of Mark Antony facing right

Rev: Diademed and draped bust of Cleopatra facing right, at point of bust.

RCV1515; 18mm, 3.44g

The joint coinage of Antony and Cleopatra has been sought after since at least the Renaissance, since its historical and dramatic resonance has caught the imagination of generations of scholars and collectors. The portraits, while not flattering, must be true ones and they allow us to see one of history’s most famous and ill starred couples, shown as they wished to be portrayed.

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Mark Antony was born around 83BC. After a somewhat dissolute childhood he joined the army where he distinguished himself as a cavalry commander in the East. He returned and joined Julius Caesar in Gaul where he became a trusted lieutenant. Appointed a tribune he defended Caesar in a hostile Senate. After Caesar’s invasion of Italy Antony was appointed supreme commander in Italy whilst Caesar campaigned and defeated Pompey in Spain. The following year he commanded Caesar’s left wing at the battle of Pharsalus which resulted in Pompey’s final defeat.
Problems in Italy over the next few years resulted in a rift with Caesar although following Caesar’s assassination on the Ides of March AD44 Antony became leader of Caesar’s supporters. Mark Antony’s initial aim was to exact revenge on the Republican conspirators which were led by Brutus and Cassius. After defeating the Republicans at the Battle of Philippi in AD 42 Antony, and his supporters Octavian and Lepidus, formed the Second Triumvirate and exercised supreme power. Over the next decade the more astute Octavian eliminated Lepidus whilst Antony undermined his support by repudiating his wife Octavia, sister of Octavian and also by his increasingly close relationship with Cleopatra Queen of Egypt.
The final trial of strength came at the naval Battle of Actium in 31BC where Octavian was victorious. Fleeing back to Egypt Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide when Octavian invaded Egypt the following year.

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Diademed & draped bust right / Eagle standing left with head right

Rome

RCV3329; 18mm, 2.53g

Trajan was born in Spain around AD 53. Trajan had a military career as a young man and as a legionary commander in AD 88/89 he was involved in the suppression of a revolt in Upper Germany. In AD 91 he held his first consulship before being adopted as heir to Nerva in AD 97. The next year he was crowned emperor.
Trajan’s reign is one of military glory and conquest. He did not conceal his ambition to emulate Julius Caesar and Alexander the Great. One of Trajan’s main conquests was the Kingdom of Dacia in AD 107. This achievement was commemorated by the erection of Trajan’s column in Rome. Trajan later went on to conquer Arabia although his main ambition was to destroy Rome’s great rival the Parthian Kingdom in Persia. However, his failing health and a Jewish revolt forced him to abandon this project and Trajan died on his way back to Rome in AD 117.
Trajan issued coinage on a vast scale commemorating not only his military victories but also other achievements. It was during Trajan’s reign that coinage issued prior to Nero was demonetized and melted down. In doing so a series of restoration coins were produced reviving some of the principal Republican denarius types as well as aurei which commemorate certain rulers in Rome’s past.

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Laureate bust right/ Female figure, Livia, seated right. PONTIF MAXIM

The Twelve Caesars

Lyon mint

RCV1763; 19mm, 3.79g

This coin is from the Helmingham Hoard.

The Helmingham Hoard of British Iron Age and Roman coins.

In September of 2019, George Ridgway made a discovery of great historical and numismatic importance.

An avid treasure hunter from a tender age – having received his first metal detector at just 12 years old as a gift from his grandmother – George was drawn to Helmingham Hall, Suffolk, by its historical significance. Happily, the Hall’s residents shared George’s passion for the past, and he was granted private permission to detect the grounds. At the request of the landowner, the exact find spot is to remain undisclosed. However, it can be said that the field in question lies close to a Roman road and that it has produced a general assemblage of Roman material. We can also relay the presence, close by the where the hoard was found, of a ‘small oddly shaped crop-circle’; this feature later transpired to be a natural pond, filled in during the course of 19th century agricultural work.

The day of discovery started with a scattering of Roman brooches, several of which have been dated to the first century, making them roughly contemporary with the hoard presented here. Some 30 yards down the field came the first coin; a Denarius of Julius Caesar which poked its head up and was revealed. Over the next three hours, 206 coins were found, spread across an area of approximately one and a half metres. George, well aware of the significance of this find, was keen that it be properly recorded and assessed for archaeological significance. The local archaeologist was notified and George’s father offered to camp at the site and keep watch; he stayed for two nights standing guard to protect the hoard. Shortly after, an extensive three- month-long archaeological dig was undertaken; this yielded a further 205 coins, with 314 more being found during controlled metal detecting of the site within a 60 yard radius of the initial find. George diligently returned to the site in both 2020 and 2021, finding a further 9 and 14 coins respectively. All together, one gold Aureus of Claudius, 724 Roman silver Denarii, 19 gold Staters and 4 quarter Staters of Cunobelin were found, making this the largest mixed hoard of British Iron Age and Roman coins found to date in Britain.

Shattered remains of the base of a pot were also found near the corner of the field, in very close proximity to one of the Denarii.

The Helmingham Hoard was recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme and allocated special finds numbers. The 2019 finds were recorded with the Portable Antiques Scheme (SF-8C645E, 2020 SF-521A7C and 2021 SF-AEA396), and the hoard passed through the treasure process (2019T974, 2020T915 and 2021T655 respectively). Sixty three coins were retained by various museums, with the rest being returned to the finder and landowners in early 2024. The hoard is now being offered for sale in the hopes that its dispersal might inspire other treasure hunters and numismatists to continue in their efforts and to enable further study into this important part of our history. When asked what he will do with the money raised from the auction, after splitting it with the landowners, George said he will buy his dad a pint!

The final coin in the hoard was struck in AD 46–47, providing us with a terminus post quem during the reign of the emperor Claudius, just a few years after the conquest of Britain. The Claudian invasion of Britain began in AD 43, with the forces initially led by Aulus Plautius. By AD 47 Plautius had conquered and negotiated treaties with many of the southern tribes, only to be replaced in his role by Publius Ostorius Scapula. Early in AD 47 Scapula introduced into law the compulsory disarmament of the British tribes, with exception granted for hunting equipment. Unsurprisingly, this was not well received by the subjugated locals; a guerrilla campaign ensued and the western tribes led by Caratacus, the son of Cunobelin, marched eastwards to face the Romans. Scapula, in response, prepared his men for battle. Today we know this series of sevens as the Iceni Revolt. Almost everyone, historian or not, has heard of Boudicca and the Iceni Rebellion of AD 60-61. In contrast, the Iceni Revolt of 47 remains far more obscure, both within academic circles and public consciousness; the discovery of the Helmingham Hoard offers a tangible insight into this fascinating period of our nation’s history.

Helmingham Hall lies just short of twenty seven miles north of Camulodunum, an important early Roman settlement. It is here that veterans of the XX Valeria Victrix retired to prior to AD 49. According to Tacitus in his Annals 12.31, Publius Ostorius brought down the Iceni Revolt with “allied troops, without the strength of the legions”; it seems quite plausible that legionary veterans would be included in this number. Sixty five miles to the north of Helmingham Hall is Stone Camp Hillfort, a sight which has been identified as the place where the Romans, finally and ultimately, put down the Revolt.

Helmingham, then, fell right in the middle of these dramatic events. It is tempting to assume that the hoard’s original owner was an active participant in this conflict. We can speculate from the hoard’s considerable value, with the 724 Denarii equating to just over three years salary for a legionary soldier, that its owner might have been a high-ranking Legionary, perhaps a Tesserarius or Option. We can go further still, sketching in loosest terms his career in Britain; how he came over to Britain in AD 43 with the XX Valeria Victrix, then travelled up north with Plautius’ forces, settled in Camulodunum for a short while, before heeding Publius Ostorius call to arms to put the down the Iceni Revolt; how he travelled north to Helmingham where the hoard was buried by the pond, before going onwards up to Stone Camp Hillfort where he fell in battle. However, none of this need be true. It was quite common for people who had access neither to banks nor vaults to conceal their wealth in the ground, even in times of peace. Whatever the case, a hoard of this size would not easily be forgotten and its retrieval must have been prevented by some great personal misfortune. The truth is that we will never know the name or position of the Helmingham Hoard’s original; what we can say is that they were a participant in one of the most dramatic and impactful chapters in the history of this island.

Tiberius was born in 42 BC to Tiberius Claudius Nero and Livia Druscilla. He was only three years old when his mother divorced and remarried the future Emperor Augustus. Tiberius had a military career proving himself to be a competent general who campaigned in various parts of the empire.
His relationship with his stepfather Augustus was always strained and this was not helped when his marriage to Augustus’ daughter Julia proven most unhappy. Nevertheless, upon the death of Augustus’ grandson Gaius Tiberius was reluctantly adopted as heir.
As emperor Tiberius proved to be a competent administrator however, he was suspicious by nature and became an increasing recluse retiring to his island retreat at Capreae and thereafter never returning to Rome. He died in AD 37 aged 78. Tiberius’ reign was overshadowed by a series of tragedies within the imperial family.
One of the most famous coins issued by Tiberius is the Tribute Penny which is referred to in the Bible in St Matthews gospel. Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s: Render unto Christ what is Christ’s.

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Elephant walking right and trampling on dragon / Emblems of the pontificate

The Twelve (12) Caesars

Italy

RCV1399; 19mm, 4.46g

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Born into an aristocratic family in 100BC Julius Caesar did not enter into political prominence until he was nearly 40 years old when he was elected to the office of pontifex maximus. Following a successful military command in Spain he held a praetorship before embarking on the first of his five consulships in 59BC. He then proposed a coalition between himself, Pompey and Crassus. This became known as the First Triumvirate and led to Caesar obtaining a 5 year proconsular command in Gaul. This appointment and his bloody but successful campaign in subduing Gaul, as well as his invasions of Britain in 55/54BC, gave him the military prestige and resources he needed before making his ultimate bid for power.
When Crassus was killed in 53BC the Triumvirate was destabilised and Caesar and Pompey were left to face each other as rivals. This came to head when Caesar invaded Italy crossing the River Rubicon and driving Pompey from Rome. The eventual showdown with Pompey came in 48BC at the Battle of Pharsalus. This resulted in Pompey’s defeat and death although his sons continued to campaign in Spain until Caesar eventually defeated then in 45BC. Caesar’s political preeminent then resulted in his appointment as Consul for life. When his portrait also started to appear on the coinage the Republicans, fearing the establishment of a dictatorship, had him assassinated in the Senate on the Ides of March in 44BC.

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John Croker’s portrait of Anne, VIGO below. / Crowned cruciform shields, edge displays the regnal year ‘TERTIO’

VIGO below bust. This coin was made from bullion captured from the Spanish fleet in Vigo bay, a historic British naval accomplishment.

S3576; 38mm, 29.83g, Bull 1340, ESC 99

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Minor wear to high points, dark tone with some iridescence. An iconic piece.

A notable 1702 naval victory for the Anglo-Dutch alliance during the War of the Spanish Succession, Vigo Bay saw the capture of part of the Spanish treasure fleet. Captured specie was transported to the Royal Mint and, supposedly, struck into coins with ‘VIGO’ inscribed on the obverse.

Anne was the second daughter of James II but unlike James remained a protestant. Married to George of Denmark she produced 17 children although none survived to take the throne. Anne presided over the Act of Union between Scotland and England in AD 1707. Her reign also saw a highly effective war against Louis XIV of France which was then the dominant power in Europe. During a highly effective campaign commanded by the Duke of Marlborough the French were beaten back and eventually sued for peace.

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Commemorating the birth of Charles II on 29th May AD 1630

Cruciform shields

30mm, 4.49g

Well struck with little wear, even dark old collection tone.

Born the second son of James I Charles became heir upon the death of his elder brother Henry in AD 1612. After an unsuccessful attempt to marry him to the Infanta of Spain Charles married the Catholic Henrietta Maria of France in AD 1625. Charles strongly believed in the divine right of kings and upon his accension to the throne in AD 1625 it was not long before he quarrelled with Parliament which tried to curb his powers. This caused increasing unrest at his attempts to raise taxes without Parliamentary consent. There was uneasiness with his religious policies in part due to his marriage to a Catholic queen. He also quarrelled with the Scottish bishops and eventually both the Scottish and English Parliaments rebelled starting the Civil War.
Having been defeated by armies raised by Parliament Charles eventually fled from Oxford to the north where he was captured by the Scots who handed him over to the Long Parliament in London. Refusing to accept a Constitutional monarchy Charles escaped to the Isle of Wight. Charles attempted to reassert his control but was defeated by the Parliamentarians under Cromwell who had him brought back to London and tried. This time Charles was sentenced to death and was executed in Whitehall in January AD 1649. This instigated the Commonwealth when the country was ruled as a Republic until Charles II was restored as king in AD 1660.
The reign of Charles I is one of the most interesting numismatically. Not only were many provincial mints set up, particularly during the Civil War period, some outstanding machine- made coins were produced both in England and Scotland under Nicholas Briot.

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Tower under King

First bust left in coronation robes, high double arched crown/Square topped shield, crowned

mm. lis

S2685; 34mm, 8.92g

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A pleasing portrait piece.

Born the second son of James I Charles became heir upon the death of his elder brother Henry in AD 1612. After an unsuccessful attempt to marry him to the Infanta of Spain Charles married the Catholic Henrietta Maria of France in AD 1625. Charles strongly believed in the divine right of kings and upon his accension to the throne in AD 1625 it was not long before he quarrelled with Parliament which tried to curb his powers. This caused increasing unrest at his attempts to raise taxes without Parliamentary consent. There was uneasiness with his religious policies in part due to his marriage to a Catholic queen. He also quarrelled with the Scottish bishops and eventually both the Scottish and English Parliaments rebelled starting the Civil War.
Having been defeated by armies raised by Parliament Charles eventually fled from Oxford to the north where he was captured by the Scots who handed him over to the Long Parliament in London. Refusing to accept a Constitutional monarchy Charles escaped to the Isle of Wight. Charles attempted to reassert his control but was defeated by the Parliamentarians under Cromwell who had him brought back to London and tried. This time Charles was sentenced to death and was executed in Whitehall in January AD 1649. This instigated the Commonwealth when the country was ruled as a Republic until Charles II was restored as king in AD 1660.
The reign of Charles I is one of the most interesting numismatically. Not only were many provincial mints set up, particularly during the Civil War period, some outstanding machine- made coins were produced both in England and Scotland under Nicholas Briot.

The post Charles I AD 1625-1649 Gold Unite Group A appeared first on Silbury Coins.

5th bust right/Crowned shield

mm. tun

S2626; 22mm, 2.48g

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A pleasing example, well struck on a large flan, minor weakness to bust.

The son of Mary Queen of Scots, James acceded the Scottish throne as James VI when only 1 year old upon his mother’s abdication in AD 1567. He married Anne of Denmark and upon the death of the childless Elizabeth succeeded the English throne in AD 1603 being the nearest heir. Following the Gunpowder plot of AD 1605 James brought in severe sanctions against Catholics and also introduced the King James Bible. Scotland remained a separate kingdom and retained its own currency James established a currency of similar weight and fineness in both realms although a 12:1 ratio between Scottish and English denominations was maintained.

The reign saw a number of reforms in the English coinage most notably the introduction of the gold Unite, itself replaced in AD 1619 by the Laurel. Copper coins were also issued for the first time when a licence was issued to Lord Harrington to issue farthings.

The post James I AD 1603-1625 Gold Britain Crown 5th Bust appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Light Coinage

King in Ship holding sword and shield / Sun, fleurs in spandrels

E in waves, York mint.

S1963; 30mm, 3.73g

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This coin comes with previous handwritten labels.

Edward IV was born in Rouen and until the death of his father at the Battle of Wakefield in AD 1460 was known as the Earl of March. Taking up the Yorkist cause upon the death of his father Defeating the Lancastrians at Mortimers Cross and Towton he claimed the throne and was first crowned in AD 1461. He married Elizabeth Woodville in AD 1464. This led to a dispute with his chief adviser Richard Neville the Duke of Warwick. Eventually Warwick defected to the Lancastrians which resulted in Edward being deposed and Henry VI being reinstated. Edward fought back defeating Warwick at the Battle of Barnet and the Lancastrians at the Battle of Tewkesbury in AD 1471. Warwick as well as Henry VI’s son Edward were killed and shortly afterwards Henry VI in the Tower. Edward reclaimed the throne.

Edward’s spending greatly exceeded his income and as a result the coinage was debased during his reign with the introduction of the Light coinage in AD 1464. Edward was keen on the arts and his count was described as being one of the most splendid in Europe. Edward died suddenly in AD 1483.

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Light Coinage

King in Ship holding sword and shield / Sun, fleurs in spandrels

mm. crown

London

S1950; 35mm, 7.74g

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Good detail, some surface marks consistent with being a field find.

Edward IV was born in Rouen and until the death of his father at the Battle of Wakefield in AD 1460 was known as the Earl of March. Taking up the Yorkist cause upon the death of his father Defeating the Lancastrians at Mortimers Cross and Towton he claimed the throne and was first crowned in AD 1461. He married Elizabeth Woodville in AD 1464. This led to a dispute with his chief adviser Richard Neville the Duke of Warwick. Eventually Warwick defected to the Lancastrians which resulted in Edward being deposed and Henry VI being reinstated. Edward fought back defeating Warwick at the Battle of Barnet and the Lancastrians at the Battle of Tewkesbury in AD 1471. Warwick as well as Henry VI’s son Edward were killed and shortly afterwards Henry VI in the Tower. Edward reclaimed the throne.

Edward’s spending greatly exceeded his income and as a result the coinage was debased during his reign with the introduction of the Light coinage in AD 1464. Edward was keen on the arts and his count was described as being one of the most splendid in Europe. Edward died suddenly in AD 1483.

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