Mark Antony 30 BC Silver Denarius

Galley / Eagle between Standards

LEG XVII CLASSICAE

RCV1481; 17mm, 2.83g

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 XXI

RCV1479; 18mm, 3.03g

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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Laureate bust right/ SPQR in wreath

The Twelve (12) Caesars

Lyon

RCV1848; 19mm, 2.67g

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Part of the famous Waverley valley hoard found in 1996. 110 plated denarii to Claudius I were found in three main groups, spread over a considerable area, and at depths of up to 3 feet. No pottery or artefacts were associated with the coins. All of the coins are plated copies of Claudian denarii, with the exception of two copies of Augustus and Tiberius denarii. The British Museum has acquired 28 coins. A further 62 plated denarii were discovered in 1996 with the aid of a metal detector, on the same site, in a field near the village of Wortham, about 3 miles south-west of Diss.

CLAUDIUS

Claudius died in AD 54 allegedly from a surfeit of mushrooms although it is thought that these had been poisoned by his wife Agrippina ensuring that the succession went to her son Nero.

Tiberius Claudius Drusus was born in Lugdunum on the same day that Augustus dedicated the Great Altar of Lugdunum in 10 BC. The younger son of Nero Claudius Drusus, brother of Tiberius, and Antonia who was the daughter of Mark Antony.
He was seriously ill as a child and as a result suffered some form of paralysis. Despite his uncouth manner he was a surprisingly good horseman. Claudius was also intelligent and devoted himself to scholarship authoring histories on Carthage and Etruria. Upon the assassination of Caligula he was proclaimed emperor. Claudius proved himself to be a competent ruler and added to the empire through the invasion and partial conquest of Britain in AD 43.
His martial affairs were turbulent and he was responsible for the execution of his third wife Valeria Messallina. He then married Agrippina Junior adopting her son Nero as heir in preference to his own son Britannicus who was later murdered.
Claudius died in AD 54 allegedly from a surfeit of mushrooms although it is thought that these had been poisoned by his wife Agrippina ensuring that the succession went to her son Nero.

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Laureate bust  right/ Tripod lepes surmounted by dolphin and raven below

The Twelve (12) Caesars

Rome

RCV2201; 19mm, 3.14g

A pleasing example with old collection tone

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.

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Bust Ceres right / Emblems of pontificate

The Twelve Caesars

RCV1403; 18mm, 3.52g

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.

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Mark Antony 30 BC Silver Denarius

Galley /Eagle standards

LEG XIV

17mm, 3.03g

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 appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Bust Ceres / Emblems

The Twelve Caesars

Rome mint

RCV1403; 19mm, 3.25g

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 Julius Caesar 44 BC Silver Denarius Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Head of Ceres right wreathed in corn / Emblems of augurate

RCV1403; 17mm, 3.70g

Comes with rough find area provenance

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 Julius Caesar 46 BC Silver Denarius appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Head of Ceres right wreathed in corn/ Emblems of augurate

RCV1403; 17mm, 3.15g

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 Julius Caesar 46 BC Silver Denarius appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Julius Caesar 49 BC Silver Denarius

Elephant / Priestly implements

The Twelve Caesars

RCV1399; 17mm, 4.00g

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 Chilfrome Hoard:  This small hoard of 97 Denarii was recovered from near the Dorset village of Chilfrome on the 21st March 2021 by Mr Trenton Oliver. Post excavation, the coins were delivered to the local Finds Liaison Officer (PAS DOR-41B389) and, following a declaration of the find as Treasure, transferred to British Museum (2021 T194). The hoard has subsequently been disclaimed and some of the coins are offered here for sale. Unlike the majority of recovered Romano-British hoards, Chilfrome lay for two thousand years undisturbed by agricultural activity and was found by Mr Oliver in a single tight nucleated group. Extensive metal detecting and a later archaeological excavation have produced no additional coins.

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