Go to Index, Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI, Part VII, Part VIII, Part IX, Part X, Part XI, Part XII, Part XIII, Part XIV, Part XV, Roman Coins: Republic and Principate, Roman Coins: Empire, Greek Coins, Coins from the National Museum in Warsaw, Poland, Coins from the Hunterian Museum
The following photographs were taken by Barbara F. McManus and Ann R. Raia at the Museum of Cultural History at the University of Oslo in Norway. The VRoma Project is very grateful to Håkon Roland, Associate Professor in the Section for Numismatics and Classical Archaeology and curator of ancient coins, for permission to photograph these coins and for his gracious assistance with this project.
Republican silver denarius, Titus Didius as moneyer, 113-112 BCE
The obverse bears the helmeted head of the goddess Roma; below her neck is the symbol for XVI (referring to the denarius's value of 16 asses), and behind her neck is the abbreviation for ROMA.
The reverse depicts combat between two gladiators; the curly-headed fighter on the left wields a whip, while the naked fighter on the right holds a long staff and is clearly losing the battle. The inscription, T[itus] DEIDI[us] refers to the moneyer.
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Ann Raia, 2009
Republican silver serrated denarius, Quintus Crepereius Rocus as moneyer, 72 BCE
The obverse shows the
Nereid Amphitrite from the back, with her head turned to the right and her long hair flowing over her
shoulders; on the left is a dolphin and on the right a large A (the mint-control mark, also appearing on the
reverse).
The reverse
depicts the sea-nymph's husband, the god Neptune, driving a chariot pulled by two hippocamps and brandishing
a trident in his right hand. The inscription, Q[uintus] CREPEREI[us] ROCUS refers to the moneyer.
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Ann Raia, 2009
Republican silver denarius, Quintus Pomponius Musa as moneyer, 66 BCE
The obverse shows the
head of the god Apollo, with long ringleted hair held by a diadem. The inscription, Q[uintus] POMPONI[us] MUSA refers to the moneyer.
The reverse
depicts the hero Hercules, naked except for his lion-skin, playing a lyre, with his club leaning against his leg. The inscription, HERCVLES MVSARVM refers to the temple of Hercules of the Muses (Aedes Herculis Musarum) in the southern Campus Martius, next to the Portico of Octavia. This is the introductory coin of the largest series of denarii produced by a single moneyer, since Pomponius Musa (punning on his cognomen) also minted coins featuring each of the nine muses on the reverses, apparently referring to the 10 statues of Hercules and the Muses brought back from Greece by the temple's founder, Marcus Fulvius Nobilior, after his conquest of Ambracia in 189 BCE. (NB: a hole punched in the coin at a later date has been edited out of this photo.)
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2009
Republican silver denarius, Quintus Pomponius Musa as moneyer, 66 BCE
The obverse shows the
head of the god Apollo, with upswept hair bound by a laurel-leaf crown; behind his head is a scroll tied with a cord. This obverse type was used for all the coins in the series depicting Muses, only varying in the attribute shown behind the god's head.
The reverse
depicts Clio, muse of history, holding an open scroll in her right hand and resting her left elbow on a column. The inscription, Q[uintus] POMPONI[us] MUSA refers to the moneyer.
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2009
Republican silver denarius, Lucius Cassius Longinus as moneyer, 63 BCE
The obverse head of the
goddess Vesta, veiled and wearing a diadem, with the mint control-mark A on the left and a small, two-handled
bowl (culullus, a ritual instrument that was a symbol of the Vestals) on the right. There are two test
cuts on Vesta's cheek and neck (test cuts were made with a chisel to ensure that the coin was actually silver
and not plated).
The reverse shows a
citizen wearing a toga dropping a voting tablet into a voting urn (cista); the tablet bears the
prominent letter V (for vti rogas, "as you ask," a "yes" vote), referring to the 113 BCE plebiscite
that established L. Cassius Longinus Ravilla, an ancestor of the moneyer, as prosecutor in the trial of
three Vestal Virgins charged with unchastity. The inscription, LONGIN[us] III V[ir] refers to the moneyer.
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2009
silver denarius of Caius Julius Caesar, minted in North Africa, 47-46 BCE
The obverse shows the head of Venus wearing a diadem and necklace.
The reverse depicts Aeneas
leaving Troy carrying the Palladium (sacred statue of Athena) in his right hand and bearing his father
Anchises on his left shoulder, with the inscription CAESAR.
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2009
Republican silver denarius, Publius Clodius as moneyer, 42 BCE
The obverse shows the laureate head of Apollo with a lyre behind.
The reverse depicts Diana Lucifera with a quiver on her back, carrying a long torch in each hand; the inscription reads P[ublius] CLODIVS M[arci] F[ilius].
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2009
Republican silver denarius, Caius Clodius Vestalis as moneyer, 41 BCE
The obverse of this very worn coin shows the head of the goddess Flora wreathed with flowers, with a lily behind; the inscription reads C[aius] CLODIVS C[ai] F[ilius].
The reverse depicts a seated Vestal Virgin holding a two-handled ritual bowl (culullus, symbol of the Vestals) in her outstretched right hand. This figure probably refers to a Vestal ancestor of the moneyer, either Claudia Quinta, or Claudia, daughter of Claudius Appius Pulcher. The inscription reads VESTALIS.
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2009
denarius of Antony, minted
in Ephesus, 41 BCE (Marcus Barbatius Pollio as moneyer)
The obverse depicts the head of
Antony with the inscription M[arcus] ANT[onius] IMP[erator] AVG[ur] III VIR R[ei] P[ublicae] C[onstituendae]
M[arcus] BARBAT[ius] Q[uaestor] P[ropraetore]. The
reverse bears the head of Octavian with the inscription CAESAR IMP[erator] PONT[ifex] III VIR R[ei] P[ublicae] C[onstituendae]. Note the marked contrast between the virility and maturity of Antony's portrait and the boyishness of Octavian's portrait.
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2009
denarius of Antony, minted
in Alexandria, 34 BCE
One side depicts the head of
Antony with the inscription ANTONI ARMENIA DEVICTA, with an Armenian tiara behind him. The other shows
the diademed head of Cleopatra with a ship's prow in front; the inscription reads CLEOPATRAE REGINAE REGVM FILIORVM REGVM ("for Cleopatra, queen of kings and of the sons of kings"). Scholars dispute which of these sides is the
obverse of the coin.
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2009
brass sestertius of Tiberius, mint of Rome, 22-23 CE
The obverse has an unusual design for this period. It shows a beautifully decorated covered cart, called a carpentum, pulled by two mules. Riding in such a carriage on public festivals in Rome was a very special privilege reserved for the Vestal Virgins and granted by the Senate as a special honor to a few women. The inscription, S.P.Q.R. IVLIAE AVGVST[ae], refers specifically to the emperor's mother Livia, who had been adopted by Augustus in his will and thus renamed Julia Augusta. This coin may refer to the fact that in 22 CE the Senate granted Livia the right to sit with the Vestals at public games after she had recovered from a serious illness, and she may also have been granted the right to ride in a carpentum at this time.
The reverse contains a large SC (Senatus Consulto) encircled by Tiberius's titles TI[berius] CAESAR DIVI AVG[usti] F[ilius] AVGVST[us] P[ontifex] M[aximus] TR[ibunicia] POT[estas] XXIIII, refering to his 24th tribunician year, 22-23 CE.
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2009
brass sestertius of Caligula, mint of Rome, 37-38 CE
The obverse shows the emperor wearing a laurel-leaf crown with the inscription C[aius] CAESAR AVG[ustus] GERMANICVS PON[tifex] M[aximus] TR[ibunicia] POT[estas].
The reverse depicts Caligula's three sisters, standing and posed as allegorical goddesses: on the left Agrippina, as Securitas, holds a cornucopia and leans on a column; in the middle Drusilla, as Concordia, holds a cornucopia and patera; and on the right Julia, as Fortuna, holds a cornucopia and a rudder. The inscription identifies them: AGRIPPINA DRVSILLA IVLIA, with S[enatus] C[onsulto] below.
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Ann Raia, 2009
brass dupondius of
Caligula (reverse only), mint of Rome, 37-41 CE
This coin was issued to commemorate the successful military campaigns of Caligula's father Germanicus against the Germanic tribes which had defeated the Roman legions in Teutoburg Forest in 9 CE and captured three legionary eagles. The coin's reverse depicts Germanicus standing with his right hand raised in the adlocutio gesture, while he holds a legionary eagle in his left. The inscription, SIGNIS RECEPT[is] DEVICTIS GERM[anis] S[enatus] C[onsulto], refers to the two legionary eagles recovered from the Germans by Germanicus.
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Ann Raia, 2009
Keywords: coin, Antonia Minor
copper as of Caligula, mint of Rome, 37-38 CE
The obverse shows the emperor with bare head; the inscription reads C[aius] CAESAR AVG[ustus] GERMANICVS PON[tifex] M[aximus] TR[ibunicia] POT[estas].
The reverse depicts the goddess Vesta, veiled, sitting on a throne with elaborately carved sides and legs; she holds a patera (shallow libation bowl) in her out-stretched right hand and a long scepter rests against her left arm. The inscription reads VESTA, with S[enatus] C[onsulto] flanking the seated goddess.
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Ann Raia, 2009
silver denarius of Claudius, mint of Rome or Lyons, 50-54 CE
The obverse shows the emperor wearing a laurel-leaf crown with the inscription TI[berius] CLAVD[ius] CAESAR AVG[ustus] GERM[anicus] P[ontifex] M[aximus] TRIB[unicia] POT[testas] P[ater] P[atriae].
The reverse contains a portrait bust of the empress, Agrippina the Younger, wearing a wreath composed of ears of grain. The inscription reads AGRIPPINAE AVGVSTAE.
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2009
brass sestertius of Claudius, mint of Rome, 41-42 CE
The obverse shows the emperor wearing a laurel-leaf crown with the inscription TI[berius] CLAVD[ius] CAESAR AVG[ustus] P[ontifex] M[aximus] TRIB[unicia] POT[testas] IMP[erator].
The reverse shows the allegorical goddess Spes (Hope), wearing a diadem over her long sausage curls, holding a flower in her outstretched right hand and lifting up one side of her tunic with her left hand. The inscription reads SPES AVGVSTA S[enatus] C[onsulto].
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Ann Raia, 2009
brass dupondius of
Claudius (reverse only), mint of Rome, 41-42 CE
The obverse of this coin contains a portrait of Antonia Augusta, mother of Claudius. The reverse depicts the emperor with his toga pulled over his head performing a religious ritual; he holds a ladle (simpulum) in his right hand.
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2009
Keywords: coin, Antonia Minor
gold aureus of Nero, mint of Rome, 64-65 CE
The obverse shows the emperor
wearing a laurel-leaf crown with the inscription NERO CAESAR AVGVSTVS.
The reverse depicts the
goddess Concordia, her hair arranged in the manner made popular by Livia, seated on a backless stool; she holds a cornucopia with her left
arm and a patera (libation plate) in her outstretched right hand. The inscription reads CONCORDIA AVGVSTA.
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2009
gold aureus of Nero, mint of Rome, 65-66 CE
The obverse shows the emperor
wearing a laurel-leaf crown with the inscription NERO CAESAR AVGVSTVS.
The reverse depicts the
goddess Roma seated on a military cuirass with her right foot on a helmet; she holds a sword with her left
arm and is looking at a small winged Victory standing on her outstretched right hand and holding a wreath
toward the goddess. The inscription reads ROMA. Nero issued many Roma coins to commemorate his restoration of the center of Rome following the great fire of 64 CE.
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2009
copper as of Nero, mint of Lyon, 65 CE
The obverse shows the emperor
bare headed, emphasizing his long curling hair; the inscription reads NERO CLAVD[ius] CAESAR AVG[ustus] GER[manicus] P[ontifex] M[aximus] TR[ibunicia] P[otestas] IMP[erator] P[ater] P[atriae]. Note the small globe at the end of the inscription; this was characteristic of Nero's base-metal coins minted at Lyon.
The reverse depicts a large ornamented altar with corner projections on each side (acroteria), which the inscription identifies as the ARA PACIS (Altar of Peace), probably referring to the great altar dedicated by Augustus on the Campus Martius in 9 BCE.
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Ann Raia, 2009
silver denarius of Galba, mint of Rome, November 68-January 69 CE
The obverse shows the emperor wearing a laurel-leaf crown with the inscription IMP[erator] SER[vius] GALBA CAESAR AVG[ustus] P[ontifex] M[aximus] (the last part of the inscription is not visible because the coin was struck off-center).
The reverse depicts the deified empress Livia standing and holding a scepter in her left hand, while her outstretched right hand makes an offering with a libation bowl (patera). The inscription gives her title, DIVA AVGVSTA.
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Ann Raia, 2009
silver denarius of Otho, mint of Rome, January-February 69 CE
The obverse contains a bare-headed portrait of the emperor that reveals his mane of curls; the inscription reads IMP[erator] M[arcus] OTHO CAESAR AVG[ustus] TR[ibunicia] P[otestas].
The reverse depicts the allegorical goddess Securitas standing and holding a scepter in her left hand and extending a wreath with ribbons in her right, with the inscription SECVRITAS P[opuli] R[omani] ("security for the Roman people").
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Ann Raia, 2009
silver denarius of Vespasian, mint of Rome, 70 CE
The obverse shows the emperor wearing a laurel-leaf crown with the inscription IMP[erator] CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG[ustus].
The reverse depicts the goddess Aequitas standing and holding a small balance-scale (trutina) in her right hand and a long scepter in her left; the inscription reads CO[n]S[ul] ITER TR[ibunicia] POT[estas]. The reverse provides an
excellent example of a double-struck coin, where the punch die moved between blows from the mallet, resulting in a shadow image.
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Ann Raia, 2009
brass sestertius of Vespasian, mint of Rome, 71 CE
The obverse shows the emperor wearing a laurel-leaf crown with an inscription giving his full range of titles: IMP[erator] CAES[ar] VESPASIAN[us] AVG[ustus] P[ontifex] M[aximus] TR[ibunicia] P[otestas] P[ater] P[atriae] CO[n]S[ul] III.
On the center of the
reverse is a large
palm tree encircled by the inscription IVDAEA CAPTA S[enatus] C[onsulto]. To the left stands a male Jewish
captive with his hands bound behind his back; at the foot of the tree on the right, a veiled Jewish female
sits on a rock with her hand raised in a gesture of mourning, personifying the defeated province of Judaea.
This is the first of a series of similar coin issues celebrating the capture of Jerusalem and destruction of
the Jewish Temple by Vespasian's son Titus in 70 CE, thus ending a rebellion in the province of Judaea which
had begun during the reign of Nero and which had brought prominence to Vespasian as general and ultimately
emperor.
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2009
brass dupondius of Vespasian, mint of Lyons, 77-78 CE
The obverse shows the emperor wearing a laurel-leaf crown with the inscription IMP[erator] CAES[ar] VESPASIAN[us] AVG[ustus] CO[n]S[ul] VIII P[ater] P[atriae].
The reverse depicts a winged Victory holding a shield bearing the inscription SPQR alighting between the letters SC (Senatus Consulto).
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2009
copper as of Titus, mint of Rome, 80 CE
The obverse shows the emperor wearing a laurel-leaf crown with the inscription IMP[erator] T[itus] CAES[ar] VESP[asianus] AVG[ustus] P[ontifex] M[aximus] TR[ibunicia] P[otestas] CO[n]S[ul] VIII.
The reverse depicts the goddess Aequitas standing between the letters SC (Senatus Consulto) and holding a small balance-scale (trutina) in her right hand and a long scepter in her left; the inscription reads AEQVITAS AVGVST[i].
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Ann Raia, 2009
silver denarius of Nerva, mint of Rome, September-December, 96 CE
The obverse shows the emperor wearing a laurel-leaf crown with the inscription IMP[erator] NERVA CAES[ar] AVG[ustus] P[ontifex] M[aximus] TR[ibunicia] P[otestas] CO[n]S[ul] II P[ater] P[atriae].
The reverse depicts the goddess Aequitas standing and holding a small balance-scale (trutina) in her right hand and a cornucopia in her left; the inscription reads AEQVITAS AVGVST[i].
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2009
silver denarius of Trajan, mint of Rome, 108 CE
The obverse shows the emperor wearing a laurel-leaf crown with the inscription IMP[eratori] TRAIANO AVG[usto] GER[manico] DAC[ico] P[ontifici] M[aximo] TR[ibunicia] P[otestate].
The reverse depicts the goddess Aequitas seated and holding a small balance-scale (trutina) in her right hand and a cornucopia in her left; the inscription reads CO[n]S[uli] V P[atri] P[atriae] S[enatus] P[opulus]Q[ue] R[omanus] OPTIMO PRINC[ipi].
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2009
brass dupondius of Hadrian, mint of Rome, 119-121 CE
The obverse shows the emperor wearing the radiate crown typical of this denomination with the inscription IMP[erator] CAESAR TRAIANVS HADRIANVS AVG[ustus] P[ontifex] M[aximus] TR[ibunicia] P[otestas] CO[n]S[ul] III.
The reverse depicts the
allegorical goddess Pietas standing between the letters SC (Senatus Consulto). Her head is veiled, and she pours incense on a flaming altar at her feet. The inscription reads PIETAS AVGVSTI.
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Ann Raia, 2009
brass sestertius of Hadrian, mint of Rome, 123 CE
The obverse shows the emperor wearing a laurel-leaf crown with the inscription IMP[erator] CAESAR TRAIANVS HADRIANVS AVG[ustus] P[ontifex] M[aximus] TR[ibunicia] P[otestas] CO[n]S[ul] III.
The reverse depicts the
goddess Moneta standing between the letters SC (Senatus Consulto) and holding a small balance-scale (trutina) in her right hand and a cornucopia in her left; the inscription reads MONETA AVGVSTI.
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2009
copper as of Hadrian, mint of Rome, 126 CE
The obverse shows the emperor
wearing a laurel-leaf crown with the inscription HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS.
The reverse depicts the
goddess Minerva walking to the right wearing a helmet and the snake-wreathed aegis; she brandishes a javelin
in her right hand and holds a shield on her left arm. The inscription reads CO[n]S[ul] III S[enatus]
C[onsulto].
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2009
brass dupondius of Hadrian, mint of Rome, 126 CE
The obverse shows the emperor wearing the radiate crown that is typical of dupondii, with the inscription HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS.
The reverse shows the winged horse Pegasus flying through the air; the inscription reads CO[n]S[ul] III S[enatus]
C[onsulto].
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2009
silver denarius of Hadrian, mint of Rome, 133 CE
The obverse shows the emperor bareheaded, with the inscription HADRIANVS AVG[ustus] CO[n]S[ul] III P[ater] P[atriae].
The reverse shows the personification of Pietas standing beside a flaming altar; she holds both hands raised with open palms upward in the gesture of prayer; the inscription reads PIETAS AVG[usta].
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2009
silver denarius of Hadrian, mint of Rome, 137 CE
The obverse contains a bare-headed portrait bust of Lucius Aelius Caesar, adoptive son and designated heir of Hadrian, originally named Lucius Ceionius Commodus. Aelius died in January of 138 before he could succeed Hadrian. The inscription reads L. AELIVS CAESAR.
The reverse depicts the goddess Concordia, symbolizing harmony, seated on a throne, resting her left arm on a cornucopia and holding a patera (libation plate) in her outstretched right hand. The inscription reads TR[ibunicia] POT[estas] CO[n]S[ul] II. CONCORD[ia].
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2009
brass sestertius of Antoninus Pius, mint of Rome, after 141 CE
This coin was issued after the death and deification of the emperor's wife Faustina the Elder in 141 CE. The
obverse shows the empress gazing sadly to the right; her hair is arranged in elaborate braids pulled back and
coiled on the top of her head. The inscription reads DIVA FAVSTINA.
The reverse symbolizes
her deified status by showing her seated statue, with the attributes of Ceres (ears of wheat and a torch),
drawn in a wagon by two elephants ridden by boy handlers. The inscription reads AETERNITAS S[enatus]
C[onsulto].
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2009
silver denarius of Antoninus Pius, mint of Rome, 145 CE
This coin was issued after the death and deification of the emperor's wife Faustina the Elder in 141 CE. The
obverse shows the empress gazing to the right; her hair is arranged in elaborate braids pulled back and
coiled on the top of her head. The inscription reads DIVA AVG[usta] FAVSTINA.
The reverse depicts the veiled personification of Pietas scattering grains of incense on a flaming altar with her right hand and holding the open incense box (acerra) in her left. The inscription reads PIETAS AVG[usta].
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2009
brass dupondius of Antoninus Pius, mint of Rome, 145-61 CE
The obverse shows the emperor
wearing a radiate crown with the inscription ANTONINVS AVG[ustus] PIVS P[ater] P[atriae] TR[ibunicia]
P[otestas] CO[n]S[ul] IIII.
The reverse depicts the
goddess Securitas seated on a throne holding a scepter with her right hand and supporting her head with her
left. The inscription reads S[enatus] C[onsulto].
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2009
brass sestertius of Marcus Aurelius, mint of Rome, 176 CE
This coin was issued after the death and deification of the emperor's wife Faustina the Younger in 175/176 CE.
The obverse of a
better-preserved issue of this coin shows the empress with her palla pulled over her head as a veil. The inscription reads DIVAE FAVSTINA PIAE.
The reverse,
in a very unusual scene, shows the seated Faustina holding in her right hand a globe on which stands a Phoenix (bird symbolizing rebirth and eternity) and cradling a scepter in her left arm; she is facing
three military standards on a pedestal. The inscription reads MATRI CASTRORVM S[enatus] C[onsulto] and refers to the fact that the emperor had conferred the title mater castrorum ("Mother of the military camps") on Faustina because she had accompanied him on several military expeditions and was reverenced by the troops. Faustina was the first empress to bear this unusual title.
Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Credits: Ann Raia, 2009
Go to Index, Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI, Part VII, Part VIII, Part IX, Part X, Part XI, Part XII, Part XIII, Part XIV, Part XV, Roman Coins: Republic and Principate, Roman Coins: Empire, Greek Coins, Coins from the National Museum in Warsaw, Poland, Coins from the Hunterian Museum
revised September, 2014
