Laureate bust right/Mars advancing holding spear and trophy

Rome

RCV6819; 20mm, 2.89g

Caracalla was the eldest son of Septimius Severus. His name was a nick name taken from the long Gallic cloak which he made fashionable in Rome. His actual name was Julius Bassianus although he changed this to Marcus Aurelius Antoninus when he became Caesar in AD 195. Later in AD 198 he was elevated to Augustus along with his father Septimius Severus.

Caracalla accompanied his family to Britain in AD 208 where he led the last Caledonian campaign in person. When his father died in York in AD 211 his younger brother Geta was created co emperor. Unfortunately the brothers disliked each other intensely and shortly after they returned to Rome Geta was assassinated.

Caracalla took great care to gain the goodwill of the army by increasing the pay and rations of his soldiers. There were also changes in the High Command and any supporters of Geta were removed. Carcalla also took care to ensure that none of his governors controlled sufficient forces to instigate a rebellion. In AD 213 Caracalla campaigned in Germany where he claimed to have defeated the Alamanni although his critics claimed that he brought them off.

Caracalla had a taste for non Roman fashion and this resulted in a breakdown of Roman exclusiveness. This was symbolised by one of the most famous legal measures the Constitutio Antoniniana whereby virtually all peoples within the empire, excepting slaves, became Roman citizens. This had the benefit of greatly expanding the tax base which until then had fallen almost exclusively on Roman citizens. Finances became increasingly tight Caracalla reign saw the introduction of a new coin, the antoninianus. By introducing the antoninianus Caracalla was in fact debasing the currency as although the antoninianus was valued at 2 denarius it was only the weight in silver of 11/2 denarii.

Caracalla oversaw the opening of new Baths at Rome soon to be known as the Baths of Caracalla. These provided not just baths but also gardens, open air gymnasiums and art collections which were open to the general population and designed to accommodate thousands of people at any one time.

Caracalla great aim was to conquer the Parthians and a great army was assembled and went east in AD 216. After invading Media one of his praetorian prefects took fright and when Carcalla dismounted to relieve himself he was assassinated.

The post Caracalla AD 198-217 Silver Denarius Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right / Providentia standing

Rome

RCV7361; 19mm, 3.39g

Macrinus was born to a poor family in Caesarea around AD 164. As a young man he worked as a gladiator, huntsman and courier before moving to Rome. Here he gained a reputation as a jurist becoming a legal adviser to the praetorian prefect Plautianus who died in AD 205.

In AD 212 Caracalla appointed him to the praetorian prefecture. In AD 216 Macrinus, who had been made consul, accompanied Caracalla on his campaign to subdue the Parthians. Here he found out about a plot to discredit him as a security risk. Macrinus arranged to have Caracalla assassinated which was done whilst Caracalla was dismounted and relieving himself. Upon Caracalla’s death the army hailed Macrinus as the new emperor. Macrinus was the first Mauretanian and non senator to occupy the throne and foreshadowed a long line of soldier emperors. Macrinus’ popularity rested exclusively with the army as there had been no consultation with the senate. Nevertheless the senate initially accepted his elevation as Caracalla’s tax rises had made him unpopular.

Unfortunately the campaign in the east did not go well. In particular the granting of the crown of Armenia to Tiridates II, whose father Caracalla had imprisoned meant that this country effectively past out of Roman control. Macrinus finally lost the loyalty of the army when the Parthians invaded Mesopotamia refusing the emperors offer of peace.

The circumstances were appropriate for a coup which came when Julia Maesa, sister of Septimius Severus’s late wife Julia Domna enlisted the support of the eastern garrisons and proclaiming her 14 year old grandson Varius Avitus Bassianus, later known as Elagabalus, emperor. In the battle that followed Macrinus was deserted by a whole legion leaving him to flee to Antioch where he was later executed.

The post Macrinus AD 217-218 Silver Denarius Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right/ Pax standing left

18mm, 3.05g

This coin comes with a previous printed collector’s label.

Caracalla was the eldest son of Septimius Severus. His name was a nick name taken from the long Gallic cloak which he made fashionable in Rome. His actual name was Julius Bassianus although he changed this to Marcus Aurelius Antoninus when he became Caesar in AD 195. Later in AD 198 he was elevated to Augustus along with his father Septimius Severus.

Caracalla accompanied his family to Britain in AD 208 where he led the last Caledonian campaign in person. When his father died in York in AD 211 his younger brother Geta was created co emperor. Unfortunately the brothers disliked each other intensely and shortly after they returned to Rome Geta was assassinated.

Caracalla took great care to gain the goodwill of the army by increasing the pay and rations of his soldiers. There were also changes in the High Command and any supporters of Geta were removed. Carcalla also took care to ensure that none of his governors controlled sufficient forces to instigate a rebellion. In AD 213 Caracalla campaigned in Germany where he claimed to have defeated the Alamanni although his critics claimed that he brought them off.

Caracalla had a taste for non Roman fashion and this resulted in a breakdown of Roman exclusiveness. This was symbolised by one of the most famous legal measures the Constitutio Antoniniana whereby virtually all peoples within the empire, excepting slaves, became Roman citizens. This had the benefit of greatly expanding the tax base which until then had fallen almost exclusively on Roman citizens. Finances became increasingly tight Caracalla reign saw the introduction of a new coin, the antoninianus. By introducing the antoninianus Caracalla was in fact debasing the currency as although the antoninianus was valued at 2 denarius it was only the weight in silver of 11/2 denarii.

Caracalla oversaw the opening of new Baths at Rome soon to be known as the Baths of Caracalla. These provided not just baths but also gardens, open air gymnasiums and art collections which were open to the general population and designed to accommodate thousands of people at any one time.

Caracalla great aim was to conquer the Parthians and a great army was assembled and went east in AD 216. After invading Media one of his praetorian prefects took fright and when Carcalla dismounted to relieve himself he was assassinated.

The post Caracalla AD 198-217 Silver Denarius appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right/ Caracalla standing naked holding globe

Rome

RCV6857; 19mm, 3.26g

Caracalla was the eldest son of Septimius Severus. His name was a nick name taken from the long Gallic cloak which he made fashionable in Rome. His actual name was Julius Bassianus although he changed this to Marcus Aurelius Antoninus when he became Caesar in AD 195. Later in AD 198 he was elevated to Augustus along with his father Septimius Severus.

Caracalla accompanied his family to Britain in AD 208 where he led the last Caledonian campaign in person. When his father died in York in AD 211 his younger brother Geta was created co emperor. Unfortunately the brothers disliked each other intensely and shortly after they returned to Rome Geta was assassinated.

Caracalla took great care to gain the goodwill of the army by increasing the pay and rations of his soldiers. There were also changes in the High Command and any supporters of Geta were removed. Carcalla also took care to ensure that none of his governors controlled sufficient forces to instigate a rebellion. In AD 213 Caracalla campaigned in Germany where he claimed to have defeated the Alamanni although his critics claimed that he brought them off.

Caracalla had a taste for non Roman fashion and this resulted in a breakdown of Roman exclusiveness. This was symbolised by one of the most famous legal measures the Constitutio Antoniniana whereby virtually all peoples within the empire, excepting slaves, became Roman citizens. This had the benefit of greatly expanding the tax base which until then had fallen almost exclusively on Roman citizens. Finances became increasingly tight Caracalla reign saw the introduction of a new coin, the antoninianus. By introducing the antoninianus Caracalla was in fact debasing the currency as although the antoninianus was valued at 2 denarius it was only the weight in silver of 11/2 denarii.

Caracalla oversaw the opening of new Baths at Rome soon to be known as the Baths of Caracalla. These provided not just baths but also gardens, open air gymnasiums and art collections which were open to the general population and designed to accommodate thousands of people at any one time.

Caracalla great aim was to conquer the Parthians and a great army was assembled and went east in AD 216. After invading Media one of his praetorian prefects took fright and when Carcalla dismounted to relieve himself he was assassinated.

The post Caracalla AD 198-217 Silver Denarius appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right/Genius with patera sacrificing over altar

Rome mint

RCV6335; 19mm, 2.93g

Septimius Severus was born in North Africa to a prominent family of Punic origin. With his family connections and also through his marriage to Julia Domna Severus’ career advanced rapidly and his governorship of Gallia Lugdunensis was followed by a consulship in AD 190. This was followed by a governorship in Pannonia which was the position he occupied at the time Pertinax was assassinated. When Julianus was proclaimed emperor Severus outraged marched on Rome and had him deposed.
Refusing to recognise Niger Severus joined forces with Albinus offering him the junior rank of Caesar. The following year he defeated Niger leaving the entire empire in Severus’ hands. The following year he broke with Albinus and defeated him in a battle near Lugdunum leaving the way clear to promote his own son Caracalla. Carcalla was created Caesar in AD 195 before being elevated to joint Augustus in AD 198.
Subsequent campaigns in the east, including a war with Parthia, were successful and earnt Severus the title Parthicus Arabicus. Returning to Rome Severus initiated a number of major building projects before setting out, with the entire Imperial family, for Britain in AD 208 where problems on the North West frontier required attention. Returning to Rome Severus was becoming increasingly concerned by the rivalry between his 2 sons especially after Geta was promoted to Augustus in AD 209. Returning to Britain Severus died in York in AD 211.
A feature of the coinage of Severus is the dynastic series which was issued in gold and silver in AD 201 and 202. Whilst most of the coinage issued was from Rome a mint in Laodicea also operated during this period.

The post Septimius Severus AD 193-211 Silver Denarius Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Bare head right/ Providentia standing globe at feet

Rome mint

RCV6145; 17mm, 2.93g

Clodius Albinus, along with Septimius Severus, were natives of North Africa. Born into a prominent family he joined the military where he served with distinction under Marcus Aurelius and Commodus. Serving his first consulship in AD 187 he was afterwards appointed governor of Lower Germany and later of Britain. When Pescenius Niger prepared for his showdown with Septimius Severus Albinus joined forces with Severus accepting the junior rank as Caesar. Although he was later to rebel and proclaim himself Augustus Severus had by this time decided that he wanted to promote his own son Caracalla thus making Albinus’ position untenable. The issue was decided in AD 196 when Severus decisively beat Albinus in a battle fought near Lugdunum in Gaul. Albinus perished but was later beheaded and his head put on display in Rome.

The post Clodius Albinus AD 193-195 Silver Denarius Rome as Caesar appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right / Dea Caelestis on lion holding thunderbolt and sceptre

Rome mint

RCV6285; 18mm, 3.37g

Septimius Severus was born in North Africa to a prominent family of Punic origin. With his family connections and also through his marriage to Julia Domna Severus’ career advanced rapidly and his governorship of Gallia Lugdunensis was followed by a consulship in AD 190. This was followed by a governorship in Pannonia which was the position he occupied at the time Pertinax was assassinated. When Julianus was proclaimed emperor Severus outraged marched on Rome and had him deposed.
Refusing to recognise Niger Severus joined forces with Albinus offering him the junior rank of Caesar. The following year he defeated Niger leaving the entire empire in Severus’ hands. The following year he broke with Albinus and defeated him in a battle near Lugdunum leaving the way clear to promote his own son Caracalla. Carcalla was created Caesar in AD 195 before being elevated to joint Augustus in AD 198.
Subsequent campaigns in the east, including a war with Parthia, were successful and earnt Severus the title Parthicus Arabicus. Returning to Rome Severus initiated a number of major building projects before setting out, with the entire Imperial family, for Britain in AD 208 where problems on the North West frontier required attention. Returning to Rome Severus was becoming increasingly concerned by the rivalry between his 2 sons especially after Geta was promoted to Augustus in AD 209. Returning to Britain Severus died in York in AD 211.
A feature of the coinage of Severus is the dynastic series which was issued in gold and silver in AD 201 and 202. Whilst most of the coinage issued was from Rome a mint in Laodicea also operated during this period.

The post Septimius Severus AD 193-211 Silver Denarius Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right/Libertas holding pileus and sceptre

Rome mint

RCV6308; 19mm, 2.32g

Septimius Severus was born in North Africa to a prominent family of Punic origin. With his family connections and also through his marriage to Julia Domna Severus’ career advanced rapidly and his governorship of Gallia Lugdunensis was followed by a consulship in AD 190. This was followed by a governorship in Pannonia which was the position he occupied at the time Pertinax was assassinated. When Julianus was proclaimed emperor Severus outraged marched on Rome and had him deposed.
Refusing to recognise Niger Severus joined forces with Albinus offering him the junior rank of Caesar. The following year he defeated Niger leaving the entire empire in Severus’ hands. The following year he broke with Albinus and defeated him in a battle near Lugdunum leaving the way clear to promote his own son Caracalla. Carcalla was created Caesar in AD 195 before being elevated to joint Augustus in AD 198.
Subsequent campaigns in the east, including a war with Parthia, were successful and earnt Severus the title Parthicus Arabicus. Returning to Rome Severus initiated a number of major building projects before setting out, with the entire Imperial family, for Britain in AD 208 where problems on the North West frontier required attention. Returning to Rome Severus was becoming increasingly concerned by the rivalry between his 2 sons especially after Geta was promoted to Augustus in AD 209. Returning to Britain Severus died in York in AD 211.
A feature of the coinage of Severus is the dynastic series which was issued in gold and silver in AD 201 and 202. Whilst most of the coinage issued was from Rome a mint in Laodicea also operated during this period.

The post Septimius Severus AD 193-211 Silver Denarius Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right/Laetitia standing with wreath and sceptre

Rome mint

RCV6041, 16mm, 2.80g

Pertinax was born in Liguria around AD 126. His father was a freed slave who achieved success through becoming a timber merchant. Initially Pertinax was a school master who later joined the military where he was well placed to gain promotion in the Eastern wars of the 160’s. Appointed to the Senate by Marcus Aurelius Pertinax served his first consulship in AD 175 before being appointed governor of several important provinces. Whilst he fell out of favour with Commodus he was recalled to take charge of a difficult situation in Britain where the army was in a mutinous state. By the time Commodus was assassinated in AD 192 Pertinax was both consul and city prefect of Rome making him the obvious choice to succeed.
Pertinax quickly tried to address some of the ills which had befallen the state under Commodus however this made him very unpopular particularly as he was a strict disciplinarian. Matters came to a head when he was murdered by members of the Praetorian guard after less than 3 months on the throne.

The post Pertinax AD 193 Silver Denarius Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Joint coinage with Aurelian

Laureate draped and cuirassed bust of Vabalathus right/ Radiate and cuirassed bust of Aurelian right

Antioch

RCV11718; 21mm, 3.63g

Well struck both sides, unusual for this issue.

Geta was the younger son of Septimius Severus and Julia Domna. Born in around AD 189 he was created Caesar when his elder brother Caracalla was made Augutus in AD 198. He travelled extensively throughout the empire before being made consul, along with his older brother Caracalla. Unfortunately the brothers hated each other and although their father Septimius Severus tried to get them to reconcile they finally pitted themselves in some sort of contest involving teams of ponies. Caracalla fell out of his chariot and broke his leg.

Geta was elevated to Augustus in AD209 and took over the administration of the British provinces. The victorious name Britannicus was added to his titles. When Septimius Severus died in AD 211 both brothers returned to Rome however Caracalla had his brother murdered shortly afterwards.

The post Vabalathus with Aurelian AD 270-272 Bronze Antoninianus appeared first on Silbury Coins.