Set
Category:
Ancients
Set Name:
The Roman Empire
Set Description:
The Roman Empire: the very words invoke images of architectural grandeur, indulgent excesses, and military conquest. Rooted in both Hellenistic and divine worlds, ancient Rome grew into a powerful Republic before transitioning into the greatest Empire the world had ever seen. Indeed, the Roman Empire at its zenith comprised two and half million square miles - including much of Europe, Africa and Asia - and one in every five residents on planet Earth. The Roman Empire, like its Republican predecessor, lasted a half millennium whereupon it begat yet another, Byzantine Empire lasting nearly another millennium. Considering the geographical extent and longevity of their culture, it is no wonder the ancient Romans profoundly influenced our modern world.
This grand history - the glory and ignominy - provides the backdrop for this NGC Ancients Custom Set. The chronology of coins presented spans from the late Republic to the early Byzantine Empire. Like the Roman Empire, this set is highly diverse, comprising numerous denominations (from nummus to denarius to solidus), mints (from Ambianum to Rome to Antioch), and attributions (from Emperors and Empresses to allies, usurpers, and enemies). Some personages warrant multiple coins for different reigns or other distinctions of numismatic interest. The rarity scale of coins in this collection ranges from common to unique. The commentary accompanying each coin provides historical context based on owner's research and personal interests.
Gallery mode is recommended for perusing the collection. The following is a synopsis of each chapter, i.e., each Gallery page comprising fifteen coins.
1. Prelude. The saga begins with coins from mid 2nd to 1st century BC exemplifying the late Roman Republic including the rise and fall of Julius Caesar, the waning of Hellenistic influence, and other contemporary tribes of the ancient world.
2. Genesis. Following civil war with Mark Antony, Cleopatra, and other of Rome's elite, Octavian becomes Augustus and the Republic transitions into an Empire dominating the Mediterranean basin including client kingdoms such as Judaea, Nabataea, and Mauretania.
3. Succession. Julio-Claudian dynasts feud amongst themselves, maintaining Rome sternly down the path of Empire amidst growing religiopolitcal upheavals.
4. Decadence. Rome's influence continues to expand under the leadership of notoriously self-indulgent, intemperate Emperors such as Caligula, Claudius, and Nero.
5. Perseverance. The Empire weathers a civil war culminating in the rise of Emperor Vespasian and his Flavian dynasty.
6. Golden Age I. A series of effective Emperors - Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian - chosen by merit, rather than birthright, propel Rome to new heights.
7. Golden Age II. Rome's prosperity continues under the leadership of Antonine dynasts who reigned until late 2nd century AD.
8. Crisis I. The Empire heads into turnoil, marked by the tumultuous Year of Five Emperors (193 AD) and the subsequent rise of the Severan-Emesan Dynasty.
9. Crisis II. The Crisis of the Third Century intensifies as numerous Augusti fall by the hands of their own disaffected troops; a new record of six Emperors in one year (238 AD) is established.
10. Crisis III. The combination of invasions, economic depression, civil wars, and plague ravages the Roman Empire - although the body count of Emperors and Usurpers affords fascinating opportunities for the ancient coin collector.
11. Crisis IV. Rome confronts even more challenges as usurpers take uprising to a new level, creating their own breakaway realms such as the Gallic Empire.
12. Resurgence. The Empire stages a comeback highlighted by Emperor Aurelian's reforms and reclamation of separatist territories including the Palmyrene Empire.
13. Tetrarchy. Augustus Diocletian launches a new power-sharing structure to improve imperial efficiency and quell rebellions such as the pesky Romano-Britannic Empire.
14. Transformation. The Tetrarchy disintegrates, and imperial supremacy is reached by Constantine, who adopts Christianity and dedicates a new capital at Byzantium (thereafter renamed Constantinople) in 330 AD.
15. Dissonance. Constantinian dynasts feud amongst themselves, and the Empire increasingly deals with regional (west vs. east) and religious (paganism vs. monotheism and Arian vs. Orthodox Christianity) rivalries.
16. Bifurcation. By late 4th century AD, a polarized realm forms separate Western and Eastern Roman Empires, as Valentinian-Theodosian dynasts defend against an intensified barbarian barrage.
17. Dissolution. By late 5th century AD, Germanic tribes absorb Italy as the last Western Roman Emperors fade into the shadows; Rome's legacy passes to the Eastern Empire centered in Byzantium.
The definition of further chapters is pending. Currently, this set is 85% complete (217/255 slots); some coins may be pending grading and/or owner's comments.
The median grade for this collection is AU, Strike=5/5, Surface=4/5.
Detailed grading statistics are as follows: Gem MS=2%, Ch MS=12%, MS=31%, Ch AU=12%, AU=11%, Ch XF=6%, XF=7%, Ch VF=7%, VF=6%, Ch F=23%, F=4%, VG<1%; Strike 5/5=62%, Strike 4/5=33%, Strike 3/5=6%; Surface 5/5=43%, Surface 4/5=28%, Surface 3/5=23%, Surface 2/5=6%, Fine Style=3%, Star Designation=10%.
From the start of this collection, I grow ever more fascinated with ancient Rome, and hope you will, as well.
Additional Reading: D L Vagi, Coinage and History of the Roman Empire, in two volumes, 1999.
Set Goals:
Discover the Roman Empire through numismatics.
Owner:
Kohaku
Signature Set Details:
| The Roman Republic |
| NGC | |
|
| Roman Moneyers |
| NGC | |
|
| Founding of Rome: Romulus and Remus |
| NGC | |
|
| Lucius Cornelius Sulla |
| NGC | |
|
| Mithradates VI |
| NGC | |
|
| Nicomedes IV |
| NGC | |
|
| Tigranes II The Great |
| NGC | |
|
| Celtic Tribes |
| NGC | |
|
| Deiotarus |
| NGC | |
|
| Julius Caesar,
Reign as Dictator |
| NGC | |
|
| Julius Caesar and the Roman Civil War |
| NGC | |
|
| Julius Caesar, Reign as Dictator for Life |
| NGC | |
|
| The Pompeians |
| NGC | |
|
| Brutus |
| NGC | |
|
| Cassius |
| NGC | |
|
| Lepidus |
| NGC | |
|
| Marc Antony |
| NGC | |
|
| Octavia, with Marc Antony |
| NGC | |
|
| Fulvia, with Marc Antony |
| NGC | |
|
| Cleopatra |
| NGC | |
|
| Cleopatra, with Marc Antony |
| NGC | |
|
| Herod the Great |
| NGC | |
|
| Syllaeus and Aretas IV of Nabataea |
| NGC | |
|
| Vedius Pollio |
| NGC | |
|
| King Juba II of Mauretania |
| NGC | |
|
| Julia, with Livia |
| NGC | |
|
| Octavian, with Divus Julius Caesar |
| NGC | |
|
| Augustus, with Caius and Lucius Caesars |
| NGC | |
|
| Augustus, with Agrippa |
| NGC | |
|
| Livia, with Augustus |
| NGC | |
|
| King Rhoemetalces of Thrace, with Augustus |
| NGC | |
|
| Pax Romana |
| NGC | |
|
| Asinius Gallus |
| NGC | |
|
| Herod Antipas |
| NGC | |
|
| Pontius Pilate |
| NGC | |
|
| Nero Claudius Drusus |
| | |
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| Tiberius |
| | |
|
| Drusus the Younger and Germanicus, with Tiberius |
| NGC | |
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| Sejanus |
| NGC | |
|
| Livilla |
| NGC | |
|
| Tiberius Gemellus |
| NGC | |
|
| Germanicus II Gemellus, with Tiberius Gemellus |
| NGC | |
|
| Agrippina Sr. |
| NGC | |
|
| Nero and Drusus Caesars |
| NGC | |
|
| Antonia |
| NGC | |
|
| Caligula |
| NGC | |
|
| Antiochus IV of Commagene |
| NGC | |
|
| Ptolemy of Mauretania |
| NGC | |
|
| Drusilla, with Agrippina Jr, Julia Livilla, and Caligula |
| NGC | |
|
| Caesonia and Drusilla Minor, with Herod Agrippa I |
| NGC | |
|
| Julia Livilla, with Caligula |
| NGC | |
|
| Claudius |
| NGC | |
|
| Valeria Messalina |
| NGC | |
|
| Claudia Antonia and Claudia Octavia, with Britannicus |
| NGC | |
|
| Britannicus, with Herod Agrippa II |
| NGC | |
|
| Agrippina Jr., with Nero |
| NGC | |
|
| Nero |
| NGC | |
|
| Poppaea, with Nero |
| NGC | |
|
| Claudia Neronis, with Poppaea |
| NGC | |
|
| Statilia Messalina, with Nero |
| NGC | |
|
| The Great Jewish Revolt |
| NGC | |
|
| Tiberius Julius Rhescuporis I |
| NGC | |
|
| Roman Civil War |
| | |
|
| Galba |
| NGC | |
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| Otho |
| | |
|
| Vitellius |
| | |
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| Vespasian |
| NGC | |
|
| Titus |
| | |
|
| Titus, Colosseum Opening |
| NGC | |
|
| Julia Titi |
| | |
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| Domitilla the Elder |
| NGC | |
|
| Herod Agrippa II, with Domitian as Caesar |
| NGC | |
|
| Domitian |
| NGC | |
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| Domitia, with Domitian |
| NGC | |
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| Vespasian Junior |
| NGC | |
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| Nerva |
| NGC | |
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| Trajan |
| NGC | |
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| Trajan Pater |
| NGC | |
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| Plotina |
| NGC | |
|
| Ulpia Marciana |
| | |
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| Salonia Matidia |
| NGC | |
|
| Pseudo-Autonomous Coinage: Senate and Roma |
| NGC | |
|
| Coins of the Mines |
| NGC | |
|
| Hadrian |
| | |
|
| Hadrian, Travel Series |
| | |
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| Antinous |
| NGC | |
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| Sabina |
| | |
|
| Bar Kokhba Revolt |
| NGC | |
|
| Aelius Caesar |
| | |
|
| The Parthians |
| NGC | |
|
| Antoninus Pius |
| NGC | |
|
| Antoninus Pius, Commemorative Issue |
| NGC | |
|
| Aelius Antoninus, with Antoninus Pius |
| NGC | |
|
| Galerius Antoninus |
| | |
|
| Pseudo-Autonomous Coinage - Time of the Antonines |
| NGC | |
|
| Faustina Sr. |
| NGC | |
|
| Marcus Aurelius, Reign as Caesar |
| NGC | |
|
| Marcus Aurelius, Reign as Augustus |
| NGC | |
|
| Faustina Jr. |
| NGC | |
|
| Lucius Verus |
| NGC | |
|
| Lucilla |
| NGC | |
|
| Crispina |
| | |
|
| Annius Verus |
| NGC | |
|
| Commodus |
| NGC | |
|
| Pertinax |
| | |
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| Didius Julianus |
| | |
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| Manlia Scantilla |
| | |
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| Pescennius Niger |
| | |
|
| Clodius Albinus |
| | |
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| Septimus Severus |
| NGC | |
|
| Julia Domna |
| NGC | |
|
| Caracalla, Reign as Sole Augustus |
| NGC | |
|
| Caracalla, Reign as co-Augustus |
| NGC | |
|
| Plautilla |
| NGC | |
|
| Geta, Reign as co-Augustus |
| NGC | |
|
| Geta, Reign as Caesar |
| NGC | |
|
| Julia Maesa |
| NGC | |
|
| Macrinus |
| NGC | |
|
| Diadumenian, with Macrinus |
| NGC | |
|
| Julia Soaemias |
| NGC | |
|
| Elagabalus |
| NGC | |
|
| Julia Paula |
| NGC | |
|
| Julia Aquilia Severa |
| NGC | |
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| Annia Faustina |
| NGC | |
|
| Julia Mamaea |
| NGC | |
|
| Severus Alexander
Ancient Forgery |
| NGC | |
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| Severus Alexander |
| NGC | |
|
| Orbiana |
| | |
|
| Maximinus I |
| NGC | |
|
| Caecilia Paulina |
| | |
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| Maximus |
| NGC | |
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| Gordian I |
| NGC | |
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| Gordian II |
| | |
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| Pupienus |
| NGC | |
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| Balbinus |
| NGC | |
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| Gordian III |
| NGC | |
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| Tranquillina, with Gordian III |
| NGC | |
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| Julius Marinus |
| NGC | |
|
| Philip I |
| NGC | |
|
| Rome's 1000th Birthday |
| NGC | |
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| Philip II |
| NGC | |
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| Otacilia Severa |
| NGC | |
|
| Trajan Decius |
| NGC | |
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| Herennius Etruscus |
| NGC | |
|
| Herennia Etruscilla |
| NGC | |
|
| Hostilian |
| NGC | |
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| Trebonianus Gallus |
| NGC | |
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| Volusian |
| NGC | |
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| Aemilianus |
| NGC | |
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| Cornelia Supera |
| | |
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| Valerian I |
| NGC | |
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| Mariniana |
| NGC | |
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| Gallienus |
| NGC | |
|
| Valerian II |
| NGC | |
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| Saloninus |
| NGC | |
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| Salonina |
| NGC | |
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| Macrianus |
| NGC | |
|
| Quietus |
| NGC | |
|
| Postumus, Romano-Gallic Empire |
| NGC | |
|
| Postumus, Struck by Aureolus |
| NGC | |
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| Laelianus |
| NGC | |
|
| Marius, Romano-Gallic Empire |
| NGC | |
|
| Victorinus, Romano-Gallic Empire |
| NGC | |
|
| Tetricus, Romano-Gallic Empire |
| NGC | |
|
| Tetricus II, Romano-Gallic Empire |
| NGC | |
|
| Claudius Gothicus |
| NGC | |
|
| Quintillus |
| NGC | |
|
| Vabalathus of Palmyra, with Aurelian |
| NGC | |
|
| Aurelian, Pre-Reform Coinage |
| NGC | |
|
| Aurelian, Post-Reform Coinage |
| NGC | |
|
| Severina |
| NGC | |
|
| Tacitus |
| NGC | |
|
| Florian |
| NGC | |
|
| Probus |
| NGC | |
|
| Probus, Adventus Coinage |
| NGC | |
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| Carus |
| NGC | |
|
| Numerian |
| NGC | |
|
| Carinus |
| NGC | |
|
| Magnia Urbica |
| | |
|
| Nigrinian |
| NGC | |
|
| Diocletian, Reign as co-Augustus, Pre-Reform Coinage |
| NGC | |
|
| Diocletian, Reign as Tetrarchal Eastern Augustus, Post-Reform Coinage |
| NGC | |
|
| Maximian, Reign as co-Augustus, Pre-Reform Coinage |
| NGC | |
|
| Diocletian, Abdication |
| NGC | |
|
| Tetrarchal Argenteus (issue of Maximian or possibly Galerius) |
| NGC | |
|
| Maximian, Reign as Tetrarchal Western Augustus, Post-Reform Coinage |
| NGC | |
|
| Galerius, Reign as Tetrarchal Eastern Caesar |
| NGC | |
|
| Galerius, Reign as Tetrarchal Eastern Augustus |
| NGC | |
|
| Galeria Valeria |
| NGC | |
|
| Constantius I, Reign as Tetrarchal Western Caesar |
| NGC | |
|
| Constantius I, Reign as Tetrarchal Western Augustus |
| NGC | |
|
| Constantius I, Reign as Tetrarchal Western Augustus |
| NGC | |
|
| Carausius |
| | |
|
| Allectus |
| NGC | |
|
| Domitius Domitianus |
| | |
|
| Severus II |
| NGC | |
|
| Maximinus II |
| NGC | |
|
| Maximinus II, "Persecution Issue" |
| NGC | |
|
| Maxentius |
| NGC | |
|
| Romulus |
| | |
|
| Helena |
| NGC | |
|
| Theodora |
| NGC | |
|
| Fausta |
| NGC | |
|
| Licinius I, Reign as Tetrarchal Western Augustus |
| NGC | |
|
| Licinius I, Reign as Eastern Augustus |
| NGC | |
|
| Licinius II |
| NGC | |
|
| Martinian |
| | |
|
| Constantine I, Reign as Tetrarchal Western Caesar |
| NGC | |
|
| Constantine I, Reign as Sole Augustus |
| NGC | |
|
| Constantine I, Reign as Western Augustus |
| NGC | |
|
| Constantine II |
Constantine II Follis
| NGC | |
|
| Crispus |
| NGC | |
|
| Delmatius |
| NGC | |
|
| Hanniballianus |
| NGC | |
|
| Constans |
| NGC | |
|
| Constantius II, Reign as Caesar |
| NGC | |
|
| Constantius II, Reign as co-Augustus |
| NGC | |
|
| Constantius II, Reign as co-Augustus |
| NGC | |
|
| Constantius II, Reign as Sole Augustus |
| NGC | |
|
| Constantius Gallus |
| NGC | |
|
| Magnentius |
| NGC | |
|
| Decentius |
| NGC | |
|
| Poemenius |
| NGC | |
|
| Vetranio |
| | |
|
| Julian II |
| NGC | |
|
| Jovian |
| NGC | |
|
| Valentinian I |
| NGC | |
|
| Valens |
| NGC | |
|
| Barbarians |
| NGC | |
|
| Procopius |
| NGC | |
|
| Gratian |
| | |
|
| Valentinian II |
| | |
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| Theodosius I |
| | |
|
| Aelia Flaccilla |
| NGC | |
|
| Magnus Maximus |
| NGC | |
|
| Flavius Victor |
| NGC | |
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| Eugenius |
| NGC | |
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| Arcadius |
| NGC | |
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| Honorius |
| NGC | |
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| Aelia Eudoxia |
| | |
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| Theodosius II |
| NGC | |
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| Johannes |
| | |
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| Valentinian III |
| | |
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| Marcian |
| NGC | |
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| Vandals |
| NGC | |
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| Leo I |
| | |
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| Majorian |
| NGC | |
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| Ricimer, with Libius Severus |
| NGC | |
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| Shadow Emperors at the Fall of the Western Roman Empire |
| NGC | |
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| Zeno |
| | |
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| Marcus, with Basiliscus |
| NGC | |
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| Anastasius I |
| NGC | |
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| Ostrogoths |
| NGC | |
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| Theoderic |
| NGC | |
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| The Last Roman: Justinian I |
| NGC | |
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|