Laureate bust right / Mars standing right holding spear

Rome

RCV3159var; 19mm, 3.22g

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.

The post Trajan AD 98-117 Silver Denarius Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

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.

The post Divus Marciana Sister of Trajan AD 98-117 Silver Denarius Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right/ Naked Genius holding patera and corn ears

Rome

RCV3149; 20mm, 3.43g

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.

The post Trajan AD 98-117 Silver Denarius Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right/Roma seated left on cuirass holding Victory and spear, shield behind

Rome

RCV3519; 18mm, 3.02g

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 Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right / Pegasus right

Rome

RCV3660; 25mm, 13.31g

The coin comes with a previous printed dealers 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 Bronze Dupondius Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Draped bust right/Juno standing, sceptre

Rome

RCV4574; 18mm, 2.81g

The post Diva Faustina wife of Antoninus Pius AD 138-161 Silver Denarius Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust / Winged caduceus between crossed cornucopiae

Rome

RCV4086; 16mm, 3.56g

Comes with previous printed collectors label

Praised by Romans and later by scholars of ancient history such as Edmund Gibbon as one of Rome’s great emperors Antoninus Pius was undoubtedly a skilled administrator. During his reign the empire, which was probably at its height, had ceased to expand and was largely at peace. Unlike Hadrian who travelled extensively throughout the empire Antoninus Pius never left Italy during his reign.

Born in AD 86 into a senatorial family Antoninus held various offices during Hadrian’s reign. He also married Hadrian’s niece, Faustina, so that when Hadrian’s heir Aelius died suddenly in AD 138 Antoninus was adopted as a son and named successor shortly before Hadrian died.

Antoninus, who had no military training, was renowned for building temples, theatres and other public works. He also promoted the arts and sciences and instigated a range of legal reforms which included measures to facilitate the enfranchisement of slaves. Financial help was giver to a number of cities which suffered disasters enabling them to rebuild and recover.

Whilst noted as a pious man he was tolerant of other religions including Christianity to whom he extended protection throughout the empire. He is even alleged to have converted to Christianity after a woman called Parakevi was charged with blasphemy and blamed for the evils that had befallen the empire. Despite being tortured she refused to renounce her faith even when Antoninus offered to marry her.

Antoninus led a modest lifestyle for an emperor and bequeathed substantial funds in the imperial treasury to his successors. Only 1 of his 4 children survived to adulthood and his wife Faustina died early in his reign in AD 141. He never remarried and was succeeded by Marcus Aurelius, a nephew of Faustina’s and Lucius Verus, who was a son of Aelius.

The post Antoninus Pius AD 138-161 Silver Denarius Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right / Victory walking right drawing out fold of drapery from neck

Rome

RCV3547; 17mm, 3.41g

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 Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right/Genius of senate, togate, holding branch and short sceptre

Rome

RCV4084; 17mm, 3.42g

Comes with previous printed collectors label

Praised by Romans and later by scholars of ancient history such as Edmund Gibbon as one of Rome’s great emperors Antoninus Pius was undoubtedly a skilled administrator. During his reign the empire, which was probably at its height, had ceased to expand and was largely at peace. Unlike Hadrian who travelled extensively throughout the empire Antoninus Pius never left Italy during his reign.

Born in AD 86 into a senatorial family Antoninus held various offices during Hadrian’s reign. He also married Hadrian’s niece, Faustina, so that when Hadrian’s heir Aelius died suddenly in AD 138 Antoninus was adopted as a son and named successor shortly before Hadrian died.

Antoninus, who had no military training, was renowned for building temples, theatres and other public works. He also promoted the arts and sciences and instigated a range of legal reforms which included measures to facilitate the enfranchisement of slaves. Financial help was giver to a number of cities which suffered disasters enabling them to rebuild and recover.

Whilst noted as a pious man he was tolerant of other religions including Christianity to whom he extended protection throughout the empire. He is even alleged to have converted to Christianity after a woman called Parakevi was charged with blasphemy and blamed for the evils that had befallen the empire. Despite being tortured she refused to renounce her faith even when Antoninus offered to marry her.

Antoninus led a modest lifestyle for an emperor and bequeathed substantial funds in the imperial treasury to his successors. Only 1 of his 4 children survived to adulthood and his wife Faustina died early in his reign in AD 141. He never remarried and was succeeded by Marcus Aurelius, a nephew of Faustina’s and Lucius Verus, who was a son of Aelius.

The post Antoninus Pius AD 138-161 Silver Denarius Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right/ Aequitas standing left

18mm, 2.94g

Praised by Romans and later by scholars of ancient history such as Edmund Gibbon as one of Rome’s great emperors Antoninus Pius was undoubtedly a skilled administrator. During his reign the empire, which was probably at its height, had ceased to expand and was largely at peace. Unlike Hadrian who travelled extensively throughout the empire Antoninus Pius never left Italy during his reign.

Born in AD 86 into a senatorial family Antoninus held various offices during Hadrian’s reign. He also married Hadrian’s niece, Faustina, so that when Hadrian’s heir Aelius died suddenly in AD 138 Antoninus was adopted as a son and named successor shortly before Hadrian died.

Antoninus, who had no military training, was renowned for building temples, theatres and other public works. He also promoted the arts and sciences and instigated a range of legal reforms which included measures to facilitate the enfranchisement of slaves. Financial help was giver to a number of cities which suffered disasters enabling them to rebuild and recover.

Whilst noted as a pious man he was tolerant of other religions including Christianity to whom he extended protection throughout the empire. He is even alleged to have converted to Christianity after a woman called Parakevi was charged with blasphemy and blamed for the evils that had befallen the empire. Despite being tortured she refused to renounce her faith even when Antoninus offered to marry her.

Antoninus a modest lifestyle for an emperor and bequeathed substantial funds in the imperial treasury to his successors. Only 1 of his 4 children survived to adulthood and his wife Faustina died early in his reign in AD 141. He never remarried and was succeeded by Marcus Aurelius, a nephew of Faustina’s and Lucius Verus, who was a son of Aelius.

The post Antoninus Pius AD 138-161 Silver Denarius appeared first on Silbury Coins.