Laureate bust right / Horseman galloping right

The Twelve Caesars

Rome

RCV2638; 18mm, 3.18g

The younger son of Vespasian Domitian has gone down in history as a tyrant. He was lucky to have escaped when he was besieged on the Capitol during the final days of Vitellius.
Although he was created Caesar by his father Domitian remained in the background. This led to resentment and resulted in his highly autocratic behaviour when he became emperor. Although later vilified Domitian did show some aptitude as a military commander. Many temples were restored during Domitian’s reign. He also showed respect for religious rituals and maintained high standards in public performances. He could however be cruel and vindictive to those he considered to be his enemies having at least twelve ex consuls murdered. This resulted in further conspiracies and led to his assassination in AD 96.
Domitian improved the weight and quality of the coinage and also raised military pay which made him popular with the army. During his reign Agricola campaigned in northern Britain and attempted to incorporate Scotland into the Roman Empire.

The post Domitian AD 81-96 Silver Denarius Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right / Ceres standing left holding corn ears and long torch

The Twelve Caesars

Rome

RCV2636; 19mm, 3.20g

The younger son of Vespasian Domitian has gone down in history as a tyrant. He was lucky to have escaped when he was besieged on the Capitol during the final days of Vitellius.
Although he was created Caesar by his father Domitian remained in the background. This led to resentment and resulted in his highly autocratic behaviour when he became emperor. Although later vilified Domitian did show some aptitude as a military commander. Many temples were restored during Domitian’s reign. He also showed respect for religious rituals and maintained high standards in public performances. He could however be cruel and vindictive to those he considered to be his enemies having at least twelve ex consuls murdered. This resulted in further conspiracies and led to his assassination in AD 96.
Domitian improved the weight and quality of the coinage and also raised military pay which made him popular with the army. During his reign Agricola campaigned in northern Britain and attempted to incorporate Scotland into the Roman Empire.

The post Domitian AD 81-96 Silver Denarius Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right / Fortuna standing left with rudder and cornucopiae

Rome

RCV3025; 17mm, 3.44g

Nerva was born around AD 30 in the Umbrian hill town of Narnia. He became a distinguished lawyer as well as being a close friend to the emperor Nero. He was fortunate that this was not detrimental to his future career and he went on to hold 2 consulships under the Flavian emperors. Although he was implicated in the plot to assassinate Domitian he was immediately elevated to the throne.
Nerva made an inspired choice in appointing the most general of the day, Trajan, as his heir. Although Nerva only reigned for sixteen months he instigated a number of popular reforms and brought stability back to the administration. His coinage is of interest as some of his reforms are commemorated especially on the sestertius.
Nerva was considered to be the first of the five good emperors who ruled during the period when the empire was at the zenith of its power.

The post Nerva AD 96-98 Silver Denarius Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right / Clasped hands

Rome

RCV3020; 17mm, 3.09g

Nerva was born around AD 30 in the Umbrian hill town of Narnia. He became a distinguished lawyer as well as being a close friend to the emperor Nero. He was fortunate that this was not detrimental to his future career and he went on to hold 2 consulships under the Flavian emperors. Although he was implicated in the plot to assassinate Domitian he was immediately elevated to the throne.
Nerva made an inspired choice in appointing the most general of the day, Trajan, as his heir. Although Nerva only reigned for sixteen months he instigated a number of popular reforms and brought stability back to the administration. His coinage is of interest as some of his reforms are commemorated especially on the sestertius.
Nerva was considered to be the first of the five good emperors who ruled during the period when the empire was at the zenith of its power.

The post Nerva AD 96-98 Silver Denarius Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust / Libertas standing with pileus

The Twelve Caesars

Rome

RCV2198; 18mm, 2.79g

Vitellius was the son of one of Claudius’ principal advisers and thus became a close friend of all the emperors from Caligula to Nero. He was created a consul in AD 48 and was also a proconsul of Africa where he acquitted himself well. When Galba became emperor he was appointed to the military command in Lower Germany however Vitellius refused to swear allegiance to Galba. In January AD 69 Vitellius was proclaimed emperor by his troops. When Otho seized the throne Vitellius marched his troops into Italy where he routed Otho’s forces at the battle of Bedriacum. He proceeded onto Rome where he assumed the title Augustus although did not arrive there until July.
Meanwhile Vespasian, who had been sent to Judea by Nero to quell the Jewish revolt was proclaimed emperor by his own troops. Vitellius had astrologers banished from Rome however he soon became unpopular due to his excessive greed and indulgences. When Vespasian entered Italy in December Vitellius was arrested, dragged through the streets before being lynched by a mob.
All coins minted by Vitellius bear the legend Germanicus which was in tribute to his German legions.

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

Laureate bust right / Pair of oxon under yoke left

The Twelve Caesars

Rome

RCV2289; 18mm, 3.00g

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 Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right / Priestly implements

The Twelve Caesars

Rome

RCV2281; 19mm, 3.26g

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 Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right/Shield on 2 capricorns back to back globe below

The Twelve Caesars

Rome

RCV2569; 18mm, 3.18g

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 Divvs Vespasian under Titus AD 79-81 Silver Denarius Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right / Corinthian helmet on draped seat

The Twelve Caesars

Rome

RCV2677; 18mm, 3.23g

The younger son of Vespasian Domitian has gone down in history as a tyrant. He was lucky to have escaped when he was besieged on the Capitol during the final days of Vitellius.
Although he was created Caesar by his father Domitian remained in the background. This led to resentment and resulted in his highly autocratic behaviour when he became emperor. Although later vilified Domitian did show some aptitude as a military commander. Many temples were restored during Domitian’s reign. He also showed respect for religious rituals and maintained high standards in public performances. He could however be cruel and vindictive to those he considered to be his enemies having at least twelve ex consuls murdered. This resulted in further conspiracies and led to his assassination in AD 96.
Domitian improved the weight and quality of the coinage and also raised military pay which made him popular with the army. During his reign Agricola campaigned in northern Britain and attempted to incorporate Scotland into the Roman Empire.

The post Domitian AD 81-96 Silver Denarius Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right / Jupiter seated left holding thunderbolt and sceptre

The Twelve Caesars

Rome

RCV1943; 18mm, 3.08g

The last of the Julio Claudian  emperors Nero was born in AD 37 to Gnaeus Ahenobarbus and Agrippina the Younger. Agrippina later married Claudius and having done so campaigned for her son Nero to be recognised as successor to Claudius instead on Britannicus who was his natural son.. When Claudius is alleged to have been poisoned by Agrippina in AD 54 Britannicus was murdered and Nero was declared emperor.

Initially ruling with the help of his mother Agrippina and his tutor Seneca the Younger Nero promised to eliminate the ills of the previous regime and follow the Augustan principles. This made him initially popular as did his wish to abolish taxation by AD 58. However his cultural interests and increasingly bizarre  behaviour alienated the aristocracy as did his prolificacy on building works which included the construction of a massive new palace for himself. Alienated from his mother on account of his affair with Poppaea, who at that time was married to Otho, he arranged to have Agrippina killed.  In AD 62 his adviser Burrus died whilst his tutor Seneca also resigned. Nero further alienated Roman society by arranging a number of treason trials of those who had met with his disapproval. Abandoning all restraint Nero divorced and executed his first wife Octavia before kicking his second wife Poppaea to death whilst she was pregnant.

In AD 64 the Great Fire of Rome decimated much of the city. Nero was held to blame by much of the population and is claimed to have fiddled while Rome burned. In fact he organised various relief efforts and even arranged for the homeless to be accommodated in his various palaces. In AD 68 one of the governors, Vindex rebelled. Although Vindex was soon defeated Nero fled Rome although he later returned. Finding one night that his guard had disappeared he called for a gladiator to kill him. Whilst contemplating suicide Nero is alleged to of called out What an artist the world is losing before killing himself.

The post Nero AD 54-68 Silver Denarius Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.