Laureate bust right/ Galley left

Rome

RCV6790; 19mm, 3.27g

Comes with previous printed dealers printed label

Caracalla was the eldest son of Septimius Severus. His name was a nick name taken from the long Gallic cloak which he made fashionable in Rome. His actual name was Julius Bassianus although he changed this to Marcus Aurelius Antoninus when he became Caesar in AD 195. Later in AD 198 he was elevated to Augustus along with his father Septimius Severus.

Caracalla accompanied his family to Britain in AD 208 where he led the last Caledonian campaign in person. When his father died in York in AD 211 his younger brother Geta was created co emperor. Unfortunately the brothers disliked each other intensely and shortly after they returned to Rome Geta was assassinated.

Caracalla took great care to gain the goodwill of the army by increasing the pay and rations of his soldiers. There were also changes in the High Command and any supporters of Geta were removed. Carcalla also took care to ensure that none of his governors controlled sufficient forces to instigate a rebellion. In AD 213 Caracalla campaigned in Germany where he claimed to have defeated the Alamanni although his critics claimed that he brought them off.

Caracalla had a taste for non Roman fashion and this resulted in a breakdown of Roman exclusiveness. This was symbolised by one of the most famous legal measures the Constitutio Antoniniana whereby virtually all peoples within the empire, excepting slaves, became Roman citizens. This had the benefit of greatly expanding the tax base which until then had fallen almost exclusively on Roman citizens. Finances became increasingly tight Caracalla reign saw the introduction of a new coin, the antoninianus. By introducing the antoninianus Caracalla was in fact debasing the currency as although the antoninianus was valued at 2 denarius it was only the weight in silver of 11/2 denarii.

Caracalla oversaw the opening of new Baths at Rome soon to be known as the Baths of Caracalla. These provided not just baths but also gardens, open air gymnasiums and art collections which were open to the general population and designed to accommodate thousands of people at any one time.

Caracalla great aim was to conquer the Parthians and a great army was assembled and went east in AD 216. After invading Media one of his praetorian prefects took fright and when Carcalla dismounted to relieve himself he was assassinated.

The post Caracalla AD 198-217 Silver Denarius Rome Galley left appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right/ Fides enthroned left holding eagle and standard

Rome

RCV7511; 22mm, 4.10g

Comes with a previous collectors printed label.

Born around AD 204, Elagabalus or Heliogabalus, also known as Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, took his name from a sun god Elah Gabal and the black stone which he worshipped as a priest. A son of Julia Soaemias, elder daughter of Julia Domna’s sister Julia Maesa the rumour spread that Elagabalus was in fact the son of Caracalla to whom he bore a strong resemblance. This ruse was successful in assuring the boy of strong army backing when there was a revolt against Macrinus in AD 218. Proclaimed emperor, when the two armies met shortly afterwards near Antioch Macrinus suffered a resounding defeat. Macrinus fled but was shortly afterwards captured and killed.
Elagabalus proceeded to Rome along with his black stone which he had enshrined as the principal deity of Rome above Jupiter. Marrying Julia Paula in AD 219 Elagabalus soon began to exhibit fanatical behaviour which was encouraged by his promiscuous mother. His sexual depravity shocked Rome as did his marriage to the Vestal Virgin Aquilia Severa in AD 220. His reign became infamous for its debauchery and became one of the strangest in the history of the empire. Eventually Roman society turned and shortly after his cousin Severus Alexander was appointed his heir and Caesar Elagabalus was murdered, along with mother the hated Julia Soaemias. Their bodies were dragged through the streets and dumped in the Tiber.

The post Elagabalus AD 218-222 Silver Antoninianus Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Radiate bust left / Probus on horseback pacing left, hand raised

Serdica

RCV12075, 23mm, 3.86g

Probus was born at Sirmium on the Danube frontier. He became one of the empires foremost generals and played a vital role in the defeat of Vabalathus and Zenobia recovering Egypt from Palmyrene control. Under Tacitus he was appointed supreme commander in the East. Unsurprisingly when Tacitus died his troops proclaimed Probus emperor even though Florian had been declared emperor by the Senate. Florian was no match for Probus and when the armies met his troops deserted leaving Probus in possession of the throne.
On arriving in Rome Probus was declared emperor by the Senate. Campaigning in the North Alamannic and Frankish invaders were expelled back across the Rhine while the Burgundians and Vandals were defeated at Raetia. By AD 280 Probus was able to turn east where his objective was to defeat the Sasanids. Revolts in Syria and Asia Minor prevented Probus from confronting the Sasanids. Further revolts in the West and in Britain were also supressed after which Probus celebrated a great triumph in Rome.
Probus then intended to renew his campaign against the Sasanids however the army rebelled against harsh disciple and also the policy Probus had of using his troops on a wide variety of agricultural and engineering projects. The emperor eventually was murdered in the autumn od AD 282 whilst supervising a project near Sirmium.
The coinage of Probus is of interest both for the quality of its striking but also the system of mint marks which is of considerable complexity.

The post Probus AD 276-282 Bronze Antoninianus appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Bare headed bust right / Providentia standing left holding rod and sceptre, globe at feet

RCV7197; 20mm, 2.82g

Comes with previous collectors printed label

Geta was the younger son of Septimius Severus and Julia Domna. Born in around AD 189 he was created Caesar when his elder brother Caracalla was made Augutus in AD 198. He travelled extensively throughout the empire before being made consul, along with his older brother Caracalla. Unfortunately the brothers hated each other and although their father Septimius Severus tried to get them to reconcile they finally pitted themselves in some sort of contest involving teams of ponies. Caracalla fell out of his chariot and broke his leg.

Geta was elevated to Augustus in AD209 and took over the administration of the British provinces. The victorious name Britannicus was added to his titles. When Septimius Severus died in AD 211 both brothers returned to Rome however Caracalla had his brother murdered shortly afterwards.

The post Geta AD 209-211 Silver Denarius as Caesar Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Bare headed bust right / Felicitas standing left holding caduceus and cornucopiae

RCV7173; 20mm, 3.34g

Comes with previous collectors printed label

Geta was the younger son of Septimius Severus and Julia Domna. Born in around AD 189 he was created Caesar when his elder brother Caracalla was made Augutus in AD 198. He travelled extensively throughout the empire before being made consul, along with his older brother Caracalla. Unfortunately the brothers hated each other and although their father Septimius Severus tried to get them to reconcile they finally pitted themselves in some sort of contest involving teams of ponies. Caracalla fell out of his chariot and broke his leg.

Geta was elevated to Augustus in AD209 and took over the administration of the British provinces. The victorious name Britannicus was added to his titles. When Septimius Severus died in AD 211 both brothers returned to Rome however Caracalla had his brother murdered shortly afterwards.

The post Geta AD 209-211 Silver Denarius as Caesar Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Bare headed bust right / Nobilitas standing right holding sceptre and Palladium

RCV7184; 19mm, 3.31g

Comes with previous collectors printed label

Geta was the younger son of Septimius Severus and Julia Domna. Born in around AD 189 he was created Caesar when his elder brother Caracalla was made Augutus in AD 198. He travelled extensively throughout the empire before being made consul, along with his older brother Caracalla. Unfortunately the brothers hated each other and although their father Septimius Severus tried to get them to reconcile they finally pitted themselves in some sort of contest involving teams of ponies. Caracalla fell out of his chariot and broke his leg.

Geta was elevated to Augustus in AD209 and took over the administration of the British provinces. The victorious name Britannicus was added to his titles. When Septimius Severus died in AD 211 both brothers returned to Rome however Caracalla had his brother murdered shortly afterwards.

The post Geta AD 209-211 Silver Denarius as Caesar Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right/ Fides enthroned left holding eagle and standard

Rome

RCV7511; 22mm, 4.74g

Comes with a previous collectors printed label.

Born around AD 204, Elagabalus or Heliogabalus, also known as Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, took his name from a sun god Elah Gabal and the black stone which he worshipped as a priest. A son of Julia Soaemias, elder daughter of Julia Domna’s sister Julia Maesa the rumour spread that Elagabalus was in fact the son of Caracalla to whom he bore a strong resemblance. This ruse was successful in assuring the boy of strong army backing when there was a revolt against Macrinus in AD 218. Proclaimed emperor, when the two armies met shortly afterwards near Antioch Macrinus suffered a resounding defeat. Macrinus fled but was shortly afterwards captured and killed.
Elagabalus proceeded to Rome along with his black stone which he had enshrined as the principal deity of Rome above Jupiter. Marrying Julia Paula in AD 219 Elagabalus soon began to exhibit fanatical behaviour which was encouraged by his promiscuous mother. His sexual depravity shocked Rome as did his marriage to the Vestal Virgin Aquilia Severa in AD 220. His reign became infamous for its debauchery and became one of the strangest in the history of the empire. Eventually Roman society turned and shortly after his cousin Severus Alexander was appointed his heir and Caesar Elagabalus was murdered, along with mother the hated Julia Soaemias. Their bodies were dragged through the streets and dumped in the Tiber.

The post Elagabalus AD 218-222 Silver Antoninianus Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right/ Laetitia standing left holding wreath and rudder set on globe

Rome

RCV7520; 21mm, 5.70g

Comes with a previous collectors printed label.

Born around AD 204, Elagabalus or Heliogabalus, also known as Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, took his name from a sun god Elah Gabal and the black stone which he worshipped as a priest. A son of Julia Soaemias, elder daughter of Julia Domna’s sister Julia Maesa the rumour spread that Elagabalus was in fact the son of Caracalla to whom he bore a strong resemblance. This ruse was successful in assuring the boy of strong army backing when there was a revolt against Macrinus in AD 218. Proclaimed emperor, when the two armies met shortly afterwards near Antioch Macrinus suffered a resounding defeat. Macrinus fled but was shortly afterwards captured and killed.
Elagabalus proceeded to Rome along with his black stone which he had enshrined as the principal deity of Rome above Jupiter. Marrying Julia Paula in AD 219 Elagabalus soon began to exhibit fanatical behaviour which was encouraged by his promiscuous mother. His sexual depravity shocked Rome as did his marriage to the Vestal Virgin Aquilia Severa in AD 220. His reign became infamous for its debauchery and became one of the strangest in the history of the empire. Eventually Roman society turned and shortly after his cousin Severus Alexander was appointed his heir and Caesar Elagabalus was murdered, along with mother the hated Julia Soaemias. Their bodies were dragged through the streets and dumped in the Tiber.

The post Elagabalus AD 218-222 Silver Antoninianus Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right/ Salus standing feeding snake held in arms

Rome

RCV7543; 23mm, 5.10g

Comes with a previous collectors printed label.

Born around AD 204, Elagabalus or Heliogabalus, also known as Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, took his name from a sun god Elah Gabal and the black stone which he worshipped as a priest. A son of Julia Soaemias, elder daughter of Julia Domna’s sister Julia Maesa the rumour spread that Elagabalus was in fact the son of Caracalla to whom he bore a strong resemblance. This ruse was successful in assuring the boy of strong army backing when there was a revolt against Macrinus in AD 218. Proclaimed emperor, when the two armies met shortly afterwards near Antioch Macrinus suffered a resounding defeat. Macrinus fled but was shortly afterwards captured and killed.
Elagabalus proceeded to Rome along with his black stone which he had enshrined as the principal deity of Rome above Jupiter. Marrying Julia Paula in AD 219 Elagabalus soon began to exhibit fanatical behaviour which was encouraged by his promiscuous mother. His sexual depravity shocked Rome as did his marriage to the Vestal Virgin Aquilia Severa in AD 220. His reign became infamous for its debauchery and became one of the strangest in the history of the empire. Eventually Roman society turned and shortly after his cousin Severus Alexander was appointed his heir and Caesar Elagabalus was murdered, along with mother the hated Julia Soaemias. Their bodies were dragged through the streets and dumped in the Tiber.

The post Elagabalus AD 218-222 Silver Antoninianus Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right/ Salus standing, feeding snake held in arms

Rome

RCV7543; 23mm, 4.06g

Comes with a previous collectors printed label.

Born around AD 204, Elagabalus or Heliogabalus, also known as Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, took his name from a sun god Elah Gabal and the black stone which he worshipped as a priest. A son of Julia Soaemias, elder daughter of Julia Domna’s sister Julia Maesa the rumour spread that Elagabalus was in fact the son of Caracalla to whom he bore a strong resemblance. This ruse was successful in assuring the boy of strong army backing when there was a revolt against Macrinus in AD 218. Proclaimed emperor, when the two armies met shortly afterwards near Antioch Macrinus suffered a resounding defeat. Macrinus fled but was shortly afterwards captured and killed.
Elagabalus proceeded to Rome along with his black stone which he had enshrined as the principal deity of Rome above Jupiter. Marrying Julia Paula in AD 219 Elagabalus soon began to exhibit fanatical behaviour which was encouraged by his promiscuous mother. His sexual depravity shocked Rome as did his marriage to the Vestal Virgin Aquilia Severa in AD 220. His reign became infamous for its debauchery and became one of the strangest in the history of the empire. Eventually Roman society turned and shortly after his cousin Severus Alexander was appointed his heir and Caesar Elagabalus was murdered, along with mother the hated Julia Soaemias. Their bodies were dragged through the streets and dumped in the Tiber.

The post Elagabalus AD 218-222 Silver Antoninianus Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.