Laureate bust right/Priestly Emblems

The Twelve (12) Caesars

Rome mint

RCV2282; 17mm, 3.45g

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 credited 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.

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Laureate bust right/Aequitas standing left holding scales and cornucopiae

Rome

RCV3019; 18mm, 3.18g

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.

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Laureate bust right/ Clasped hands holding legionary eagle set on prow

Rome

RCV 3021, 17mm, 3.77g

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/ Livia seated right.

The Twelve (12) Caesars

RCV1763; 19mm, 3.45g

Comes with rough find area provenance

Tiberius was born in 42 BC to Tiberius Claudius Nero and Livia Druscilla. He was only three years old when his mother divorced and remarried the future Emperor Augustus. Tiberius had a military career proving himself to be a competent general who campaigned in various parts of the empire.
His relationship with his stepfather Augustus was always strained and this was not helped when his marriage to Augustus’ daughter Julia proven most unhappy. Nevertheless, upon the death of Augustus’ grandson Gaius Tiberius was reluctantly adopted as heir.
As emperor Tiberius proved to be a competent administrator however, he was suspicious by nature and became an increasing recluse retiring to his island retreat at Capreae and thereafter never returning to Rome. He died in AD 37 aged 78. Tiberius’ reign was overshadowed by a series of tragedies within the imperial family.
One of the most famous coins issued by Tiberius is the Tribute Penny which is referred to in the Bible in St Matthews gospel. Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s: Render unto Christ what is Christ’s.

The post Tiberius AD 14-37 Silver Denarius Lyon Tribute Penny appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Bare head right/SPQR/OB/CS in 3 lines within laurel wreath

Rome mint

The Twelve Caesars

RCV2109; 18mm, 3.53g

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Galba was born to a wealthy family around 3 BC.  He held various public offices including consul, praetor and governor of various provinces before resigning during the reign of the Emperor Claudius. Reinstated by Nero he was appointed governor of Hispania. When Nero committed suicide in AD 68 he took advantage of Vindex’s rebellion to be declared emperor with the support of the Praetorian guard. Although not related to any of the previous emperors he claimed to be a relative of Livia, wife of Augustus, who left him an inheritance although this was later denied to him by Tiberius.

Galba was a sickly man who suffered severely from gout by the time he became emperor. Also noted for his avarice and cruelty he was notoriously mean and quickly upset the army by refusing to pay the soldiers who had fought against Vindex. He also tried to disband the German legions and seize their property.  Upon taking office as consul on 1st January 69 the German the 4th and 22nd legions of Germania Superior refused to swear loyalty to him. On the following day the legions of Germania Inferior under Vitellus also refused to swear loyalty and on 15th January 69 Galba was killed by his Praetorian guard.

The post Galba AD 68-69 Silver Denarius Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

The Twelve Caesars

RCV1900; 18mm, 3.37g

Comes with rough find area provenance

The post Antonia Mother of Claudius AD 41-54 Silver Denarius Rome *Rare* appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Figure standing holding scales. FIDE M MILITVM AV

20mm, 4.29g

Carausius (Usurper) AD 286-293

The Roman Empire degenerated into crisis and chaos from around AD 235 as the economy floundered and the rule of law broke down. For five decades there was a succession of emperors, usurpers and rebels most of whom were short lived and many of whom were assassinated. Inflation in the empire was rampant. The currency was debased with most of the silver coinage being replaced with bronze. The empire also faced several serious external threats.

In AD 284, whilst travelling back from Persia the emperor Numerian died unexpectedly. The soldiers accompanying the emperor proclaimed their commander, Diocletian, as the new emperor.

Diocletian instituted major reforms to try and save the empire. Since the time of Augustus the emperor had been deemed to be all powerful. By greatly increasing the number of provinces and delegating power down to their governors Diocletian instigated a more collegiate form of government. He also appointed a colleague, Maximian, a co emperor to help him administer the empire. Later this was increased to four thus creating a Tetrarchy.

Little is known of Carausius’ early life although he was of humble birth and was probably a native of Menapia, in modern day Belgium. Carausius chose a military career and by the mid AD 280’s had risen to high command.  He appears to have rendered Maximian valuable service by helping put down a revolt by the Bagaudae in Gaul. Following the appointment of Maximian as co emperor in AD 286 Carausius was appointed commander of the Channel Fleet based at Boulogne. Carausius saw this as an opportunity for enrichment by taking booty from the Saxon and Frankish pirates after they had raided rather than preventing the raids in the first place. Instead of ridding the Channel of pirates he moved to Britain where he installed a new fortification system along the coast. He also proclaimed himself Augustus, emperor, setting up a breakaway Imperium Britanniarum. Coinage was issued which depicted Carausius as co emperor and also an equal of Diocletian and Maximian.

Maximian ordered the execution of Carausius but the expedition launched in AD 289 to oust him met with disaster. Carausius was then able to become a major thorn in Maximian’s side extending his rule across the Channel to include parts of Gaul. He was also able to re-establish a naval base in Boulogne. This situation lasted until AD 293 when the newly appointed western Caesar, Constantius, besieged Boulogne which eventually fell. This undermined Carausius authority and shortly afterwards he was assassinated by his chief minister Allectus.

Much of what is known of Carausius is known through his coinage. This was issued from 3 mints. London and Colchester in Britain and later from Rouen in Gaul. By issuing his own coins depicting him as Augustus his authority was enhanced for propaganda purposes. There is an antoninianus where he is depicted along with Diocletian and Maximian as one of 3 co emperors. An important innovation was the introduction of good quality silver denarii coins. These had not been issued for many years and predate by several years the issue of silver coinage by Diocletian. Whilst Carausius is often depicted as being coarse and thuggish the quality of some of his coinage can be excellent.

The inscriptions on his coins include, PAX AVGGG, the peace of 3 Augusti, or RESTITUTOR BRITANNIAE, Restorer of Britain. On his silver denarii the legend EXPECTATE VENI, Come long awaited one. There are also a number of medallions one of which has the reverse legend VICTOR CARAVSI AVG, The victory of Carausius Augustus. By using these legends & promoting the Secular games Carausius was representing a revival of traditional Roman virtues and the traditions of empire that had been instigated by Augustus 3 centuries earlier, sure to increase his popularity amongst the people.

The post Carausius (Usurper) AD 286-293 Silver Denarius appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right/Libertas standing holding pileus

The Twelve Caesars

Tarraco mint

Rare

18mm, 3.62g

This coin comes with a rough find area provenance (Hollingbourne, Kent) and is recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme

Galba was born to a wealthy family around 3 BC.  He held various public offices including consul, praetor and governor of various provinces before resigning during the reign of the Emperor Claudius. Reinstated by Nero he was appointed governor of Hispania. When Nero committed suicide in AD 68 he took advantage of Vindex’s rebellion to be declared emperor with the support of the Praetorian guard. Although not related to any of the previous emperors he claimed to be a relative of Livia, wife of Augustus, who left him an inheritance although this was later denied to him by Tiberius.

Galba was a sickly man who suffered severely from gout by the time he became emperor. Also noted for his avarice and cruelty he was notoriously mean and quickly upset the army by refusing to pay the soldiers who had fought against Vindex. He also tried to disband the German legions and seize their property.  Upon taking office as consul on 1st January 69 the German the 4th and 22nd legions of Germania Superior refused to swear loyalty to him. On the following day the legions of Germania Inferior under Vitellus also refused to swear loyalty and on 15th January 69 Galba was killed by his Praetorian guard.

The post Galba AD 68-69 Silver Denarius Tarraco mint *Rare* appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust  right/ Livia seated right. PONTIF MAXIM

The Twelve (12) Caesars

Lyon

RCV1763; 19mm, 3.62g

This coin comes with a previous collectors handwritten label.

A most pleasing example.

Tiberius was born in 42 BC to Tiberius Claudius Nero and Livia Druscilla. He was only three years old when his mother divorced and remarried the future Emperor Augustus. Tiberius had a military career proving himself to be a competent general who campaigned in various parts of the empire.
His relationship with his stepfather Augustus was always strained and this was not helped when his marriage to Augustus’ daughter Julia proven most unhappy. Nevertheless, upon the death of Augustus’ grandson Gaius Tiberius was reluctantly adopted as heir.
As emperor Tiberius proved to be a competent administrator however, he was suspicious by nature and became an increasing recluse retiring to his island retreat at Capreae and thereafter never returning to Rome. He died in AD 37 aged 78. Tiberius’ reign was overshadowed by a series of tragedies within the imperial family.
One of the most famous coins issued by Tiberius is the Tribute Penny which is referred to in the Bible in St Matthews gospel. Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s: Render unto Christ what is Christ’s.

The post Tiberius AD 14-37 Silver Denarius Lyon Tribute Penny appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Wreath, cloak and crescents/Wolf right, jaws open, bird on back and pellets, pellet and crescent below, beaded exergual loop

Scarce

View Video Here

ABC 1393; 17mm, 6.15g

well struck on a broad flan, full wolf and surrounding detail clear. Obverse off struck but as a result full hair detail shows, a premium coin

Provenance

This coin is from The London Collection of Ancient British Coins. For more information click here: The London Collection – Silbury Coins : Silbury Coins

M Vosper, 1997. Found north of Ely, Norfolk VA 610-1

This coin comes with a previous label.

The post Iceni 1st Century BC Norfolk Wolf Right Type Gold Stater *Scarce* appeared first on Silbury Coins.