Laureate bust right / Fortuna standing with rudder and cornucopiae

Rome

RCV3025; 18mm, 3.44g

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.

Bare head right/ Securitas standing left with wreath and sceptre

The Twelve Caesars

Rome

RCV2162; 19mm, 3.36g

Otho was born to a family which had only recently been elevated to the nobility. He became a close friend to Nero however when his wife Poppaea started to receive Nero’s attention Otho found himself posted to Lusitania as governor. Poppaea remained in Rome and became Nero’s mistress before becoming his second wife. 3 years later Nero kicked her to death in a fit of rage. Otho unsurprisingly lost his affection for Nero and instead gave his support to Galba. When Galba revolted and became emperor in AD 68 after Nero’s suicide Otho was disappointed not to be appointed heir. Fomenting disaffection amongst the praetorian guard Otho seized the throne after Galba was assassinated in a coup d’etat in January AD 69.
Unfortunately the Rhine legions had already declared for Vitellius and when the two rivals met in battle in northern Italy Otho’s army was routed after which Otho committed suicide.
Only gold and silver coins comprising aureus and denarius were issued by Otho. Otho is alleged to have been a vain and effeminate man and to have worn a wig.

The post Otho AD 69 Silver Denarius Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right / Triangular diadem on draped seat

The Twelve Caesars

Rome

RCV2515; 18mm, 3.26g

The elder son of Vespasian Titus was a close friend of Britannicus with whom he was educated. Serving as a military tribune in Britain, where is was present during the campaign against Boudicea, and Germany. In AD 67 he accompanied his father to Judaea as commander of Legion XV. When Vespasian returned to Rome in AD 69 to bid for emperor Titus assumed supreme command in the Jewish war. In AD 70 he captured Jerusalem and ended the Jewish revolt.
Returning to Rome Titus enjoyed a magnificent triumph with his father who was now emperor. Taken into government and made co emperor by Vespasian he was accorded a significant share of the imperial coinage before succeeding as emperor upon the death of Vespasian in AD 79.
Although Titus only ruled for 2 years his reign is probably best known for the destruction of Pompeii when Vesuvius erupted in AD 79. The country also suffered from plague and there was also a devastating fire in Rome which destroyed the imperial mint on Capitoline Hill. One of the highlights of his reign was the dedication of the Amphitheatrum Flavium better known as the Colosseum. This became one of Rome’s principal landmarks. Titus died aged only 42 in AD 81 and was succeeded by his younger brother Domitian.

The post Titus AD 79-81 Silver Denarius Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right / Elephant walking left

The Twelve Caesars

Rome

RCV2512; 20mm, 3.40g

The elder son of Vespasian Titus was a close friend of Britannicus with whom he was educated. Serving as a military tribune in Britain, where is was present during the campaign against Boudicea, and Germany. In AD 67 he accompanied his father to Judaea as commander of Legion XV. When Vespasian returned to Rome in AD 69 to bid for emperor Titus assumed supreme command in the Jewish war. In AD 70 he captured Jerusalem and ended the Jewish revolt.
Returning to Rome Titus enjoyed a magnificent triumph with his father who was now emperor. Taken into government and made co emperor by Vespasian he was accorded a significant share of the imperial coinage before succeeding as emperor upon the death of Vespasian in AD 79.
Although Titus only ruled for 2 years his reign is probably best known for the destruction of Pompeii when Vesuvius erupted in AD 79. The country also suffered from plague and there was also a devastating fire in Rome which destroyed the imperial mint on Capitoline Hill. One of the highlights of his reign was the dedication of the Amphitheatrum Flavium better known as the Colosseum. This became one of Rome’s principal landmarks. Titus died aged only 42 in AD 81 and was succeeded by his younger brother Domitian.

The post Titus AD 79-81 Silver Denarius Rome Elephant appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right / Pax Nemesis advancing right drawing out fold of drapery from cloak and holding caduceus. Snake at feet.

The Twelve Caesars

Lyon

RCV1845; 18mm, 3.58g

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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.

The post Claudius AD 41-54 Silver Denarius Lyon appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right /Sow walking left with 3 piglets

The Twelve Caesars

Rome

RCV2443; 20mm, 3.40g

The elder son of Vespasian Titus was a close friend of Britannicus with whom he was educated. Serving as a military tribune in Britain, where is was present during the campaign against Boudicea, and Germany. In AD 67 he accompanied his father to Judaea as commander of Legion XV. When Vespasian returned to Rome in AD 69 to bid for emperor Titus assumed supreme command in the Jewish war. In AD 70 he captured Jerusalem and ended the Jewish revolt.
Returning to Rome Titus enjoyed a magnificent triumph with his father who was now emperor. Taken into government and made co emperor by Vespasian he was accorded a significant share of the imperial coinage before succeeding as emperor upon the death of Vespasian in AD 79.
Although Titus only ruled for 2 years his reign is probably best known for the destruction of Pompeii when Vesuvius erupted in AD 79. The country also suffered from plague and there was also a devastating fire in Rome which destroyed the imperial mint on Capitoline Hill. One of the highlights of his reign was the dedication of the Amphitheatrum Flavium better known as the Colosseum. This became one of Rome’s principal landmarks. Titus died aged only 42 in AD 81 and was succeeded by his younger brother Domitian.

The post Titus AD 79-81 Silver Denarius Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust right / Livia standing left with patera and sceptre

The Twelve Caesars

Rome

RCV2102; 17mm, 3.29g

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 Silver Denarius Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

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.

The post Vespasian AD 69-79 Silver Denarius Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

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.

The post Nerva AD 96-98 Silver Denarius Rome appeared first on Silbury Coins.

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.