Mark Antony 30 BC Silver Denarius

Galley / Eagle between Standards

LEG XV?

RCV1479; 17mm, 3.22g

This coin comes with a previous dealers printed label

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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Mark Antony 30 BC Silver Denarius

Galley / Eagle between Standards

LEG XIX

RCV1479; 18mm, 3.03g

This coin comes with a previous dealers printed label

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.

The post Mark Antony 30 BC Silver Denarius LEG XIX appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right / Roma seated left

Rome

RCV3536; 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.

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Laureate bust right/Antoninus togate sacrificing over altar

Rome

RCV4076; 18mm, 2.74g

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.

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Draped bust right/Juno standing, sceptre

Rome

RCV4574; 18mm, 2.81g

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Mark Antony 30 BC Silver Denarius

Galley / Eagle between Standards

LEG VI

RCV1479; 18mm, 3.00g

This coin comes with a previous dealers printed label

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.

The post Mark Antony 30 BC Silver Denarius LEG VI appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Helena standing left holding branch and supporting drapery of dress

Trier

RCV16592; 18mm, 2.95g

The reign of Constantine marked one of the great turning points in Roman history. Born around AD 272 the son of Constantius Constantine claimed that he was descended from Claudius Gothicus (AD 268-270) although this is unlikely to be true.
Taking a military career Constantine was appointed a tribune to Diocletian following the elevation of his father to Augustus. Joining his father on a military expedition to Britain upon the sudden death of Constantius in York in AD 306 Constantine was proclaimed by his troops, as Caesar under Severus. Initially his position was he weak however after Severus fell he cemented his position with Maximian was strengthened through the marriage to Fausta who was the daughter of Maximian also sister to Maxentius.
Becoming Augustus, the high handed elevation of Licinius to Augustus by Galerius created a rift. Deciding it was time to eliminate his brother in law, Maxentius, he invaded Italy in AD 312 winning the Battle of Milivian Bridge where Maxentius was killed. It was on the evening before this battle that Constantine had his vision of the cross. Whether this is true Constantine’s religious policy was certainly revolutionized thereafter leading to a rapid demise of the old pagan gods and the rise of Christianity.
Although Constantine remained co emperor with Licinius for a further decade in AD 324 he invaded Thrace on the pretext of repelling Gothic invaders. Licinius moved to confront him but was defeated in 2 battles and forced to abdicate. Constantine then became the sole Augustus for the first time since Diocletian.
In AD 325 Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea where Christianity was formally declared to be the religion of the empire. Around this time Constantine decided to found a new imperial capital in the east where Constantinopolis was formally designated in AD 330. This city later became Constantinople and the capital of the Byzantine empire.
Constantine had four sons as well as two daughters. Crispus was probably the most able and although elevated to Caesar was found to be guilty of treason and was executed in AD 326. His three remaining sons were also elevated to Caesar and all later became Augustus in their own right. Constantine died suddenly and unexpectedly in AD 337.
The coinage of Constantine is complex with radical changes being made early in his reign when the gold aureus as replaced by the lighter gold solidus. Constantine also abandoned the silver argenteus replacing it with the siliqua. The bronze follis was also reduced in size with various fractions also being produced although these are mostly quite rare.

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Laureate bust right / VOT/XX in wreath

Siscia

RCV16219; 18mm, 3.37g

The reign of Constantine marked one of the great turning points in Roman history. Born around AD 272 the son of Constantius Constantine claimed that he was descended from Claudius Gothicus (AD 268-270) although this is unlikely to be true.
Taking a military career Constantine was appointed a tribune to Diocletian following the elevation of his father to Augustus. Joining his father on a military expedition to Britain upon the sudden death of Constantius in York in AD 306 Constantine was proclaimed by his troops, as Caesar under Severus. Initially his position was he weak however after Severus fell he cemented his position with Maximian was strengthened through the marriage to Fausta who was the daughter of Maximian also sister to Maxentius.
Becoming Augustus, the high handed elevation of Licinius to Augustus by Galerius created a rift. Deciding it was time to eliminate his brother in law, Maxentius, he invaded Italy in AD 312 winning the Battle of Milivian Bridge where Maxentius was killed. It was on the evening before this battle that Constantine had his vision of the cross. Whether this is true Constantine’s religious policy was certainly revolutionized thereafter leading to a rapid demise of the old pagan gods and the rise of Christianity.
Although Constantine remained co emperor with Licinius for a further decade in AD 324 he invaded Thrace on the pretext of repelling Gothic invaders. Licinius moved to confront him but was defeated in 2 battles and forced to abdicate. Constantine then became the sole Augustus for the first time since Diocletian.
In AD 325 Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea where Christianity was formally declared to be the religion of the empire. Around this time Constantine decided to found a new imperial capital in the east where Constantinopolis was formally designated in AD 330. This city later became Constantinople and the capital of the Byzantine empire.
Constantine had four sons as well as two daughters. Crispus was probably the most able and although elevated to Caesar was found to be guilty of treason and was executed in AD 326. His three remaining sons were also elevated to Caesar and all later became Augustus in their own right. Constantine died suddenly and unexpectedly in AD 337.
The coinage of Constantine is complex with radical changes being made early in his reign when the gold aureus as replaced by the lighter gold solidus. Constantine also abandoned the silver argenteus replacing it with the siliqua. The bronze follis was also reduced in size with various fractions also being produced although these are mostly quite rare.

The post Constantine I AD 307-337 Bronze Follis Siscia 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.

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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.

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