Bare headed bust/ Securitas standing

The Twelve Caesars

Rome

RCV2162; 19mm, 3.21g

Otho was born to a family which had only recently been elevated to the nobility. He became a close friend to Nero however when his wife Poppaea started to receive Nero’s attention Otho found himself posted to Lusitania as governor. Poppaea remained in Rome and became Nero’s mistress before becoming his second wife. 3 years later Nero kicked her to death in a fit of rage. Otho unsurprisingly lost his affection for Nero and instead gave his support to Galba. When Galba revolted and became emperor in AD 68 after Nero’s suicide Otho was disappointed not to be appointed heir. Fomenting disaffection amongst the praetorian guard Otho seized the throne after Galba was assassinated in a coup d’etat in January AD 69.
Unfortunately the Rhine legions had already declared for Vitellius and when the two rivals met in battle in northern Italy Otho’s army was routed after which Otho committed suicide.
Only gold and silver coins comprising aureus and denarius were issued by Otho. Otho is alleged to have been a vain and effeminate man and to have worn a wig.

The post Otho AD 69 Silver Denarius Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right/ Salus standing right

Rome

17mm, 3.39g

Comes with previous printed label

Like his predecessor, Trajan, Hadrian was born in Spain around AD76. He entered Trajan’s household by marrying Sabina who was daughter of Trajan’s favourite niece Matidia. As a young man he had a military career and by the time of Trajan’s death in AD 117 Hadrian was governor of Syria. As Trajan was childless Hadrian was strongly backed as heir by the army as well as Trajan’s empress Plotina.
Hadrian was keen to experience the diverse peoples of his massive empire and as a result much of his reign was spent travelling. Unlike Trajan who pursued an expansionist policy Hadrian thought that the empire needed to be consolidated and as a result initiated the construction of an elaborate frontier system. In Britain this took the form of the construction of Hadrian’s Wall and the withdrawal of troops from Southern Scotland.
Hadrian was an able administrator and initiated several major building works which included the construction of the Pantheon in Rome. Whilst considered to be one of Rome’s great emperors he could at times be cruel and vindictive. Hadrian was particularly fond of Greek culture and it was while touring his eastern provinces that he met Antinous, a youth who became a favourite. Accompanying Hadrian on many of his tours Antinous was greatly mourned when he accidentally drowned in the Nile. The great Jewish revolt which was a major event took place towards the end of Hadrian’s reign. The revolt resulted in great loss of life and destruction. Jews were excluded from Jerusalem which was rebuilt as a pagan city.
The coinage of Hadrian is particularly diverse with many reverse types commemorating the Empires provinces and the interest taken in them by the emperor. Hadrian also produced posthumous issues honouring Trajan and Plotina as well as his own wife Sabina and his favourite Antinous.

The post Hadrian AD 117-138 Silver Denarius appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right/ Pudicitia standing left

Rome

19mm, 3.27g

Comes with previous printed label

Like his predecessor, Trajan, Hadrian was born in Spain around AD76. He entered Trajan’s household by marrying Sabina who was daughter of Trajan’s favourite niece Matidia. As a young man he had a military career and by the time of Trajan’s death in AD 117 Hadrian was governor of Syria. As Trajan was childless Hadrian was strongly backed as heir by the army as well as Trajan’s empress Plotina.
Hadrian was keen to experience the diverse peoples of his massive empire and as a result much of his reign was spent travelling. Unlike Trajan who pursued an expansionist policy Hadrian thought that the empire needed to be consolidated and as a result initiated the construction of an elaborate frontier system. In Britain this took the form of the construction of Hadrian’s Wall and the withdrawal of troops from Southern Scotland.
Hadrian was an able administrator and initiated several major building works which included the construction of the Pantheon in Rome. Whilst considered to be one of Rome’s great emperors he could at times be cruel and vindictive. Hadrian was particularly fond of Greek culture and it was while touring his eastern provinces that he met Antinous, a youth who became a favourite. Accompanying Hadrian on many of his tours Antinous was greatly mourned when he accidentally drowned in the Nile. The great Jewish revolt which was a major event took place towards the end of Hadrian’s reign. The revolt resulted in great loss of life and destruction. Jews were excluded from Jerusalem which was rebuilt as a pagan city.
The coinage of Hadrian is particularly diverse with many reverse types commemorating the Empires provinces and the interest taken in them by the emperor. Hadrian also produced posthumous issues honouring Trajan and Plotina as well as his own wife Sabina and his favourite Antinous.

The post Hadrian AD 117-138 Silver Denarius appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right/ Justita seated left

Rome

19mm, 3.24g

Comes with previous printed label

Like his predecessor, Trajan, Hadrian was born in Spain around AD76. He entered Trajan’s household by marrying Sabina who was daughter of Trajan’s favourite niece Matidia. As a young man he had a military career and by the time of Trajan’s death in AD 117 Hadrian was governor of Syria. As Trajan was childless Hadrian was strongly backed as heir by the army as well as Trajan’s empress Plotina.
Hadrian was keen to experience the diverse peoples of his massive empire and as a result much of his reign was spent travelling. Unlike Trajan who pursued an expansionist policy Hadrian thought that the empire needed to be consolidated and as a result initiated the construction of an elaborate frontier system. In Britain this took the form of the construction of Hadrian’s Wall and the withdrawal of troops from Southern Scotland.
Hadrian was an able administrator and initiated several major building works which included the construction of the Pantheon in Rome. Whilst considered to be one of Rome’s great emperors he could at times be cruel and vindictive. Hadrian was particularly fond of Greek culture and it was while touring his eastern provinces that he met Antinous, a youth who became a favourite. Accompanying Hadrian on many of his tours Antinous was greatly mourned when he accidentally drowned in the Nile. The great Jewish revolt which was a major event took place towards the end of Hadrian’s reign. The revolt resulted in great loss of life and destruction. Jews were excluded from Jerusalem which was rebuilt as a pagan city.
The coinage of Hadrian is particularly diverse with many reverse types commemorating the Empires provinces and the interest taken in them by the emperor. Hadrian also produced posthumous issues honouring Trajan and Plotina as well as his own wife Sabina and his favourite Antinous.

The post Hadrian AD 117-138 Silver Denarius appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate headed bust/ Concordia seated left

RCV3475 var. 20mm, 2.50g

Like his predecessor, Trajan, Hadrian was born in Spain around AD76. He entered Trajan’s household by marrying Sabina who was daughter of Trajan’s favourite niece Matidia. As a young man he had a military career and by the time of Trajan’s death in AD 117 Hadrian was governor of Syria. As Trajan was childless Hadrian was strongly backed as heir by the army as well as Trajan’s empress Plotina.
Hadrian was keen to experience the diverse peoples of his massive empire and as a result much of his reign was spent travelling. Unlike Trajan who pursued an expansionist policy Hadrian thought that the empire needed to be consolidated and as a result initiated the construction of an elaborate frontier system. In Britain this took the form of the construction of Hadrian’s Wall and the withdrawal of troops from Southern Scotland.
Hadrian was an able administrator and initiated several major building works which included the construction of the Pantheon in Rome. Whilst considered to be one of Rome’s great emperors he could at times be cruel and vindictive. Hadrian was particularly fond of Greek culture and it was while touring his eastern provinces that he met Antinous, a youth who became a favourite. Accompanying Hadrian on many of his tours Antinous was greatly mourned when he accidentally drowned in the Nile. The great Jewish revolt which was a major event took place towards the end of Hadrian’s reign. The revolt resulted in great loss of life and destruction. Jews were excluded from Jerusalem which was rebuilt as a pagan city.
The coinage of Hadrian is particularly diverse with many reverse types commemorating the Empires provinces and the interest taken in them by the emperor. Hadrian also produced posthumous issues honouring Trajan and Plotina as well as his own wife Sabina and his favourite Antinous.

The post Hadrian AD 117-138 Silver Denarius appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate headed bust / Pax seated left

The Twelve Caesars

Rome

RCV2285; 18mm, 3.25g

Son of a middle-class tax collector Vespasian entered the military where he had a successful career. As commander of Legion II he played an important part in the invasion of Britain in AD 43. He is created with capturing forts at Hod Hill and Maiden Castle as well as the Isle of Wight. Retired by the time of the Jewish uprising Nero instructed him to quell the revolt and appointed him as supreme commander in the East. With help from his eldest son Titus he was successful. Meanwhile Nero had committed suicide and the empire had plunged into civil war. After three emperors had been proclaimed in quick succession Vespasian decided to make his own bid and was proclaimed emperor by his own troops in AD 69.
Returning to Rome his authority was established following the demise of Vitellius and the advance of armies who were loyal to his cause. Establishing the Flavian dynasty Vespasian marked the return of strong government with discipline being restored to the armies. Upon the return of Titus in AD 70 Vespasian enjoyed a magnificent triumph with his son who he created a full partner in the government of the empire.
Vespasian’s simple lifestyle and industry soon made him popular after the excess of previous years. When Vespasian died in AD 79 he was deified and there was genuine sorrow. His final words are alleged to have been I think I am becoming a god.
Vespasian’s reign saw the opening of many provincial mints especially in the east.

The post Vespasian AD 69-79 Silver Denarius appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Venus standing right

RCV3924; 17mm, 3.44g

Like his predecessor, Trajan, Hadrian was born in Spain around AD76. He entered Trajan’s household by marrying Sabina who was daughter of Trajan’s favourite niece Matidia. As a young man he had a military career and by the time of Trajan’s death in AD 117 Hadrian was governor of Syria. As Trajan was childless Hadrian was strongly backed as heir by the army as well as Trajan’s empress Plotina.
Hadrian was keen to experience the diverse peoples of his massive empire and as a result much of his reign was spent travelling. Unlike Trajan who pursued an expansionist policy Hadrian thought that the empire needed to be consolidated and as a result initiated the construction of an elaborate frontier system. In Britain this took the form of the construction of Hadrian’s Wall and the withdrawal of troops from Southern Scotland.
Hadrian was an able administrator and initiated several major building works which included the construction of the Pantheon in Rome. Whilst considered to be one of Rome’s great emperors he could at times be cruel and vindictive. Hadrian was particularly fond of Greek culture and it was while touring his eastern provinces that he met Antinous, a youth who became a favourite. Accompanying Hadrian on many of his tours Antinous was greatly mourned when he accidentally drowned in the Nile. The great Jewish revolt which was a major event took place towards the end of Hadrian’s reign. The revolt resulted in great loss of life and destruction. Jews were excluded from Jerusalem which was rebuilt as a pagan city.
The coinage of Hadrian is particularly diverse with many reverse types commemorating the Empires provinces and the interest taken in them by the emperor. Hadrian also produced posthumous issues honouring Trajan and Plotina as well as his own wife Sabina and his favourite Antinous.

The post Sabina wife of Hadrian AD 117-138 Silver Denarius appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate headed bust / Liberalitas standing

Rome

RCV5655; 17mm, 2.62g

Commodus was the twin son of Marcus Aurelius. When his twin brother Antoninus died Commodus was left as sole heir after his younger brother Annius Verus also died in AD 170. Commodus was giver the rank of Caesar when he was only five and became the only emperor to succeed his father since Titus succeeded Vespasian.
Created Augustus by his elderly father coinage was regularly minted in his name from around AD177. Commodus was a weak and dissolute character and proved to be the unworthy son of a noble father. Abandoning his troops he moved back to Rome where he soon fell under the influence of favourites. He was fortunate that a rebellion in northern Britain was supressed by Ulpius Marcellus who gained Commodus the honorary title Britannicus.
In his later years Commodus appears to have become insane believing himself to be the reincarnation of Hercules. He disgraced his rank by fighting wild beasts in the Colosseum and even tried to rename Rome as Colonia Commodiana. There were frequent plots against him until he was eventually strangled in his own palace.
Commodus oversaw the debasement of the silver coinage which was reduced in both weight and purity during his reign.

The post Commodus AD 177-192 Silver Denarius appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Bare headed bust / Spes advancing left

Rome

RCV4795; 17mm, 3.38g

Born in AD 121 as the nephew of the Empress Faustina Senior Hadrian recognised qualities and arranged for his marriage to the daughter of Aelius who had been appointed as Hadrian’s heir. When Aelius died prematurely Hadrian stipulated that his new heir, Antoninus Pius, adopt Marcus Aurelius together with his brother Lucius Verus as joint heirs.
When Antoninus Pius succeeded in AD138 Marcus’ career progressed rapidly and he was appointed Caesar in AD139. Marcus’ betrothal to Aelius’ daughter was annulled in favour of marrying the emperors youngest daughter Faustina Junior which he did in AD145.
Granted tribunician powers in AD147 Marcus became emperor in AD161.

The post Marcus Aurelius AD 161-180 Silver Denarius appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right/ Modus with corn ears

Rome

17mm, 3.50g

Comes with previous printed label

Like his predecessor, Trajan, Hadrian was born in Spain around AD76. He entered Trajan’s household by marrying Sabina who was daughter of Trajan’s favourite niece Matidia. As a young man he had a military career and by the time of Trajan’s death in AD 117 Hadrian was governor of Syria. As Trajan was childless Hadrian was strongly backed as heir by the army as well as Trajan’s empress Plotina.
Hadrian was keen to experience the diverse peoples of his massive empire and as a result much of his reign was spent travelling. Unlike Trajan who pursued an expansionist policy Hadrian thought that the empire needed to be consolidated and as a result initiated the construction of an elaborate frontier system. In Britain this took the form of the construction of Hadrian’s Wall and the withdrawal of troops from Southern Scotland.
Hadrian was an able administrator and initiated several major building works which included the construction of the Pantheon in Rome. Whilst considered to be one of Rome’s great emperors he could at times be cruel and vindictive. Hadrian was particularly fond of Greek culture and it was while touring his eastern provinces that he met Antinous, a youth who became a favourite. Accompanying Hadrian on many of his tours Antinous was greatly mourned when he accidentally drowned in the Nile. The great Jewish revolt which was a major event took place towards the end of Hadrian’s reign. The revolt resulted in great loss of life and destruction. Jews were excluded from Jerusalem which was rebuilt as a pagan city.
The coinage of Hadrian is particularly diverse with many reverse types commemorating the Empires provinces and the interest taken in them by the emperor. Hadrian also produced posthumous issues honouring Trajan and Plotina as well as his own wife Sabina and his favourite Antinous.

The post Hadrian AD 117-138 Silver Denarius appeared first on Silbury Coins.