No obv Legend

Diad head r looking to heaven

CONSTANTINVS AVG

Victory advancing left holding wreath

Nicomedia

RSV15852; 19mm, 2.96g

Scarce

The post Constantine I AD 307-337 Silver Siliqua Nicomedia *Scarce* appeared first on Silbury Coins.

No obv Legend

Diad bust r looking upwards

CONSTANS NOB CAESAR

Victory running left

TSE in ex.

Thessalonica

20mm, 2.91g

Find area Northants

The post Constans AD 337-350 Silver Siliqua Thessalonica appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Honorius 393-423AD Silver Siliqua

Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right/Roma seated left on cuirass holding Victory on globe, resting on spear

Milan mint

RCV 20968, 17mm, 1.46g

This coin is from the Vale of Pewsey Hoard, found near Pewsey in Wiltshire by three metal detectorists in 2020. The hoard consisted of 160 Roman silver coins, siliquae & miliarense from Constantius II (AD 323-361) to Honorius (AD 393-423). Dating to the end of the Roman era in Britain this find and others represent a turbulent time for the Roman Empire and its citizens.

The hoard was declared Treasure and subsequently disclaimed then returned to the finders & landowner who chose to sell the hoard, making the coins available to private collectors around the world for which we are most grateful.

We have produced an interesting information booklet, a copy of which will be sent with each coin and will also be available to read or download on our website ‘News and Articles’ section (click here). This looks at the find and the wider background to the area and coinage in Late Roman Britain, a fascinating chapter in history.

An exciting opportunity to own a coin from a fully provenanced and researched treasure find, in addition to the history contained within the coin itself.

The post Honorius 393-423AD Silver Siliqua Milan mint *The Vale of Pewsey Hoard* appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Magnus Maximus 383-388AD Silver Siliqua

Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right/Roma enthroned facing holding globe and resting on spear

Trier mint

RCV 20644, 16x18mm, 1.75g

This coin is from the Vale of Pewsey Hoard, found near Pewsey in Wiltshire by three metal detectorists in 2020. The hoard consisted of 160 Roman silver coins, siliquae & miliarense from Constantius II (AD 323-361) to Honorius (AD 393-423). Dating to the end of the Roman era in Britain this find and others represent a turbulent time for the Roman Empire and its citizens.

The hoard was declared Treasure and subsequently disclaimed then returned to the finders & landowner who chose to sell the hoard, making the coins available to private collectors around the world for which we are most grateful.

We have produced an interesting information booklet, a copy of which will be sent with each coin and will also be available to read or download on our website ‘News and Articles’ section (click here). This looks at the find and the wider background to the area and coinage in Late Roman Britain, a fascinating chapter in history.

An exciting opportunity to own a coin from a fully provenanced and researched treasure find, in addition to the history contained within the coin itself.

The post Magnus Maximus 383-388AD Silver Siliqua Trier mint *The Vale of Pewsey Hoard* appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Magnus Maximus 383-388AD Silver Siliqua

Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right/Roma enthroned facing holding globe and resting on spear

Trier mint

RCV 20644, 16mm, 1.60g

This coin is from the Vale of Pewsey Hoard, found near Pewsey in Wiltshire by three metal detectorists in 2020. The hoard consisted of 160 Roman silver coins, siliquae & miliarense from Constantius II (AD 323-361) to Honorius (AD 393-423). Dating to the end of the Roman era in Britain this find and others represent a turbulent time for the Roman Empire and its citizens.

The hoard was declared Treasure and subsequently disclaimed then returned to the finders & landowner who chose to sell the hoard, making the coins available to private collectors around the world for which we are most grateful.

We have produced an interesting information booklet, a copy of which will be sent with each coin and will also be available to read or download on our website ‘News and Articles’ section (click here). This looks at the find and the wider background to the area and coinage in Late Roman Britain, a fascinating chapter in history.

An exciting opportunity to own a coin from a fully provenanced and researched treasure find, in addition to the history contained within the coin itself.

The post Magnus Maximus 383-388AD Silver Siliqua Trier mint *The Vale of Pewsey Hoard* appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Valens 364-378AD Silver Siliqua

Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right/Roma enthroned left holding Victory on globe and resting on spear

Trier mint

RCV 19675, 17x18mm, 2.05g

This coin is from the Vale of Pewsey Hoard, found near Pewsey in Wiltshire by three metal detectorists in 2020. The hoard consisted of 160 Roman silver coins, siliquae & miliarense from Constantius II (AD 323-361) to Honorius (AD 393-423). Dating to the end of the Roman era in Britain this find and others represent a turbulent time for the Roman Empire and its citizens.

The hoard was declared Treasure and subsequently disclaimed then returned to the finders & landowner who chose to sell the hoard, making the coins available to private collectors around the world for which we are most grateful.

We have produced an interesting information booklet, a copy of which will be sent with each coin and will also be available to read or download on our website ‘News and Articles’ section (click here). This looks at the find and the wider background to the area and coinage in Late Roman Britain, a fascinating chapter in history.

An exciting opportunity to own a coin from a fully provenanced and researched treasure find, in addition to the history contained within the coin itself.

The post Valens 364-378AD Silver Siliqua Trier mint *The Vale of Pewsey Hoard* appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Aulus Allienus, proconsular governor of Sicily

Diadem bust of Venus right/Trinacrus standing left with foot on prow and holding triskles

The Twelve (12) Caesars

RCV1401; 18mm, 4.75g

High grade and attractive tone, a premium coin.

View Video Here

Born into an aristocratic family in 100BC Julius Caesar did not enter into political prominence until he was nearly 40 years old when he was elected to the office of pontifex maximus. Following a successful military command in Spain he held a praetorship before embarking on the first of his five consulships in 59BC. He then proposed a coalition between himself, Pompey and Crassus. This became known as the First Triumvirate and led to Caesar obtaining a 5 year proconsular command in Gaul. This appointment and his bloody but successful campaign in subduing Gaul, as well as his invasions of Britain in 55/54BC, gave him the military prestige and resources he needed before making his ultimate bid for power.
When Crassus was killed in 53BC the Triumvirate was destabilised and Caesar and Pompey were left to face each other as rivals. This came to head when Caesar invaded Italy crossing the River Rubicon and driving Pompey from Rome. The eventual showdown with Pompey came in 48BC at the Battle of Pharsalus. This resulted in Pompey’s defeat and death although his sons continued to campaign in Spain until Caesar eventually defeated then in 45BC. Caesar’s political preeminent then resulted in his appointment as Consul for life. When his portrait also started to appear on the coinage the Republicans, fearing the establishment of a dictatorship, had him assassinated in the Senate on the Ides of March in 44BC.

The post Roman Imperatorial Julius Caesar 47 BC Silver Denarius Sicily appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Mark Antony 41 BC Silver Denarius

Bust of Mark Antony right/ Bust of Octavian right

Ephesus

RCV1504; 19mm, 3.73g

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 41 BC Silver Denarius appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Radiate bust right/ Mars in military attire holding transverse spear, trophy over shoulder

Lyon

RCV11879; 22mm, 3.46g

Florian was a younger half brother to Tacitus. When Tacitus died Florian was initially supported by the army and was proclaimed emperor. A threat soon arose in Syria and Egypt where a general called Probus was also proclaimed emperor by his army. Marching against Florian, the army loyal to Florian defected to Probus and Florian was murdered.

The post Florian AD 276 Bronze Antoninianus Lyon appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust / Antoninus sacrificing

Rome

RCV4076; 18mm, 3.27g

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.