Julius Germanicus

Yes. The visible political, military, economical and cultural slide downhill began in 251 at the Battle of Abritus with the Emperors slain and the imperial treasure in the hand of the Goths.

Das passt zu unserer heutigen "feministischen Aussenpolitik". Die Frauen hatten hier schon vor 2000 Jahren "die Hosen an" 🤡

What a gorgeous Denarius, especially as evident in your on-hand video! Here is the Sestertius version, with the mourning Gemania accompanied by a bound German captive and a trophy of arms: (after much discussion on this and other forums, this somewhat notorious coin has now been certified as undoubtly genuine by David Sear 🙂) IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XI CENS POT PP – Laureate bust of Domitian right, wearing Aegis on his left shoulder / GERMANIA CAPTA S C – Germania, as mourning female captive, supporting head with right hand, elbow on knee, seated left on crossed shields at base of trophy of arms; German captive, his hands bound behind his back, standing right, wearing Chlamys, head left, shield to right, helmet on ground Sestertius, Rome mint, 85 A.D. 35 mm / 25,76 g RIC II 351; BMCRE 325; Cohen 136; Sear 2765, Cayon 17 (6 specimens, 1.600 SFR)

Sestertii of the Royal Family: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Philipp I right, seen from behind /SAECVLARES AVGG (S C in exerque) - Antelope standing left Sestertius, Rome (6th officina) AD 24828,56 mm / 17,85 gr / 12 hRIC 161a; Cohen 190; Hunter 108 and pl. 71; Sear RCV III 9013; Banti 50 (11 specimens) MARCIA OTACIL SEVERA AVG - Draped bust of Otacilia Severa right, seen three quarters from front, wearing Stephane, hair weaved in straight lines and rows with long plait carried up the back of her head /SAECVLARES AVGG, S C in exergue - Hippopotamus walking right, head raised with mouth open, Sestertius, Rome (4th officina) AD 248 30,25 mm / 18,42 g / 6 hRIC (Philip I) 200a, Cohen 65 (12 f.), Sear RCV 9170, Hunter 26 and pl. 73; Banti 13 (45 specimens) IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Philip II right, seen from behind /LIBERALITAS AVGG III, SC in exergue - Philip II and Philip I, wearing togas, seated left on curule chairs; each extending right hands; Philip I also holding scepter in his left handSestertius, Rome (3rd officina) 247 AD 29,0 mm, 21,76 g / 12 h RIC (Philip I) 267a, Cohen 18, Hunter 29; Sear RCV III 9279; Banti 1 (66 specimens)

Here are an unpatinated Sestertius and a left-facing Tetradrachm: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind /P M TR P V COS II P P S C - Gordian III, in military attire, advancing right, holding transverse spear and globeSestertius, Rome 242 (10th emission of Gordian III)29,81 mm / 20,61 gr / 2 hRIC 307a, Cohen 267, Banti 75, Sear 8731 var(TRP IIII), Brown (The Coinage of Gordian III) p. 7, Issue 4(b) AVTOK K M ANT ΓOPΔIANOC CЄB / ΔHMAPX ЄΞ VΠA TO BRadiate, cuirassed bust of Gordianus III left, both pteryges visible /Eagle standing facing, head left, with wings spread, holding wreath in beak; below, crescent above ram leaping left, head right.Tetradrachm, Antioch, 24210,91 g / 26 mmMcAlee 881; Prieur 298

And, last but not least, a Sestertius of his colleague Balbinus celebrating their Concordia (which would not last long, as we know...): IMP CAES D CAEL BALBINVS AVG - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Balbinus rightCONCORDIA AVGG S C - Concordia, in long dress, seated left on throne, holding double cornucopiae in her left and patera in her outstretched right handSestertius, Rome, 22 April - 29 July 23830 mm / 18,53 grRIC 22, BMCRE 18, Cohen 4, Sear 8494

And here is a Sestertius of Pupienus, celebrating the Victory over Maximinus Thrax: IMP CAES M CLOD PVPIENVS AVG - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behindVICTORIA AVGG - Victory standing facing, her head turned left, holding wreath in her right hand and drapery and palm frond in left; S-C across fieldsSestertius, Rome, 22. April – 29. July AD 23832 mm / 23.82 gRIC 23a, BMC 58, Cohen 38, Sear 8539, Banti 12 (35 specimens)

And here is a Sestertius of his son, Gordian II (8 specimens known with this reverse type, all from the same obverse die. This is the Banti plate coin): IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AFR AVG - laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian II right, seen from behindVICTORIA AVGG S C - Victory advancing left, wreath upward in right hand, palm in left; S-C across fields.AE Sestertius, Rome, April 238 aD30mm / 17.21 gr / 1hBanti (I Grandi Bronzi Imperiali, Vol. IV-2) Nr. 6 (4 specimens listed, this coin illustrated on p. 238); RIC 7 (plate XII, Nr.4, same obverse die); BMCRE 29 (plate 42, Nr. 29, illustrating specimen from Naples, same obverse die); Cohen 13 (citing specimen in Paris); Sear 8472.From the collection Richard van de Vyvere-Colens (1837-1912); Charles Dupriez Sale Nr. 112 Bis, 07.04.1913 According to RIC, this reverse implies the hope of ultimate Victory to be gained by strength. The personification of Victory on the reverse of this Sestertius therefore can only represent the hope that the Senate and the people of Rome put into the ability of both the elder and the younger Gordian to defeat the enemies of the state. As they had no foreign foes to face, the enemies in mind could only be Maximinus and his supporters. The fateful battle battle between good and evil came sooner than it was anticipated and under hopeless circumstances, for within days after the celators had created the dies and striking could begin, the Gordiani fought a hopeless battle for their lives.The Gordiani had declared the replacement of Capelianus, governor of the neighboring province of Numidia, an old rival of the elder Gordian.Capelianus, loyal to the cause of Maximinus, disobeyed and instead mobilized what was the only Roman Legion stationed in North Africa (stationed in Numidia by Septimius Severus), Legio III Augusta, and the accompanying auxiliary troops.He invaded Africa Proconsularis and within a couple of weeks reached Carthage. All the Gordiani had at their disposal was one cohort (500 men), the local urban cohort, and a civilian militia hastily assembled having neither shields nor proper arms.While the old senior Emperor chose to hang himself with his belt, Gordianus junior led his outnumbered force into a heroic but hopeless battle that saw his militia massacred and him dying a roman soldiers death.The Gordiani Africani perished on 12 April, but the news only reached Rome on 22 April.

Here is a Sestertius of Gordian I (8 specimens known with this reverse type): IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANUS AFR AVGLaureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right of Gordian IROMAE AETERNAE S CRoma seated left on throne, holding Victoriola and leaning on sceptre; shield at sideSestertius, Rome, April 23830,04 mm / 21,42 gr / 12hRIC 10, Cohen 9, BMCRE 10, Banti 6, Sear 8451 According to RIC, the reverse type and legend ROMAE ETERNAE, which also appears on Gordians unique Aureus (RIC 3), and his Denari (RIC 4) is alluding to the imperishable tradition of constitutionalism in Rome and harks back to the constitutional and pro-senatorial tone of the reign of Severus Alexander.

What about continuing the idea with a series of polls in order to find THE single best portrait for each Emperor / Empress (including 2nd and 3rd place), so we would have a „definitive“ portrait gallery?

A Sestertius of Crispina, who plotted against her husband, Commodus And one of her sister-in-law Lucilla, widow of Julius Verus, who joined her (neither survived his revenge).

MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG GERM - laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Maximinus rightVICTORIA GERMANICA S C - Maximinus, in military attire, standing left, his right hand raised, holding spear in left, German captive seated left at his feet, looking back, emperor crowned by Victory standing left behind him, also holding palm.Sestertius, Rome ca. September-December 23632,34 mm / 21,64 grRIC VI 93; BMCRE 198 and pl. 40; Cohen 114; MIR 26-5; Sear 8342; Banti 33 MAXIMVS CAES GERM - bare-headed and draped bust of Maximus rightPRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS S C - Maximus, in military attire, standing left, holding rod pointing downwards in right hand and transverse spear in left, two standards behind.Sestertius, Rome September 236 – April 238 aD32,13 mm / 20,36 grRIC IV 13; BMCRE 213; Cohen 14; MIR 37-5; Sear 8411; Banti 6

And above all, we should not forget Livia, the trusted companion of Augustus and force behind Tiberius, here in the guise of Pietas on a Dupondius:

And here is a Sestertius of Salonina, wife and trusted advisor of Gallienus:

Sestertius of Julia Soaemias, mother of Elagabalus:

Here are two strong Roman women whose Sestertii are nevertheless very rare: Agrippina Junior, wife of Claudius, who made her son Nero Emperor (one of 44 known Sestertii of this Empress): Plotina, wife of Trajan, who made Hadrian Emperor (one of 56 known Sestertii of this Empress):

Located at the entrance to the Severan Forum at Djemila in Algeria, the antique city of Cuicul, this arch was erected in 216 AD in honour of the Emperor Caracalla, his mother Julia Domna, and his deceased father Septimius Severus. My custom model, designed in 1:50 scale and made of 100 % Lego, depicts the arch in it´s original form with the three remaining bases on top of the attic supporting statues of the members of the Imperial family (with the exception of Caracalla murdered brother Geta, for obvious reasons). The arch is 12,5 meters high, 11,6 meters wide, ans 3,9 meters deep. On both sides of the span on the pylons are niches, each framed by a pair of Corinthian columns on pedestals, with smooth drums, detached from the wall. Each pair of columns supports an entablature, which is surmounted in turn by a small eadicula, with a pediment, reaching to the top of the attic. The arch, together with the rest of the archaeological site of Djémila, has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites since 1982, after plan to have it moved to and re-erected in Paris and dedicate it with an inscription to "L'Armée d'Afrique à la France" had been abandoned in 1842. The original inscription (which I still need to print in Roman font) reads: Imp(eratori) Ca[es(ari)] M(arco) Aurelio Severo Antonino Pio Felici Aug(usto) /Parth[ic]o maximo Britannico max(imo) Germanico max(imo) /pontif(ici) [m]ax(imo) trib(unicia) pot(estate) XVIIII co(n)s(uli) IIII imp(eratori) III p(atri) p(atriae) proco(n)s(uli) /et Iuli[ae] Domnae Piae Felici Aug(ustae) matri eius et senatus et pa/triae et [cas]trorum et divo Severo Aug(usto) Pio patri Imp(eratoris) Caes(aris) M(arci) Aureli Se/veri Ant[onini] Pii [Felic]is Aug(usti) arcum triumphalem a solo d(ecreto) d(ecurionum) res p(ublica) fecit To keep this coin related, here is a Sestertius of Caracalla who might have felt some regret for his earlier misdeeds, for in 215 he found time to visit the famous shrine of Asklepios in the city of Pergamum in the hope of finding cures for his numerous ailments, as his physical and mental health had begun to deteriorate. Ancient historians state that the reason for this visit was because he sought healing and relief from dreams in which he was being chased by his father Septimus Severus and brother Geta, whom he had murdered: M AVREL ANTONINUS PIVS AVG GERM - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Caracalla right, seen from behind / P M TR P XVIII IMP III COS IIII P P S C - Asclepius, nude to waist, standing facing, head left, holding snake-entwined staff, Telesphorus at his feet to left, globe to right Sestertius, Rome 215 A.D. 30 mm / 22,22 gr RIC 538b, BMCRE 280, CSS 1449 var., Sear 6933 var.

An "elegant early portrait" (David Sear) on my favourite Sestertius of Severus Alexander:

Sestertii of Heliogabalus, Julia Paula, Julia Aquilia Severa, Julia Soaemias, and Julia Maesa:

The finest coin in my entire collection is still this Sestertius of Macrinus: IMP CAES M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG - Laureate and cuirassed bust of Macrinus right, with beard of intermediate length PONTIF MAX TR P COS P P around, S — C in field - Felicitas standing left, holding long caduceus and cornucopiae Orichalcum Sestertius, Rome, 1.Oct.-31.Dec.217 20,51 grams / 33,10 mm / 12 h ex collection of Friedrich Karl August, Prince of Waldeck and Pyrmont, 1763-1812; Clay (The Roman Coinage of Macrinus and Diadumenian), obv. die 2, rev. die 42 (this coin cited); RIC 139 (citing specimen in Paris); BMC 120, note; Cohen 66 (citing specimen in Paris); Banti 36 (one specimen, in Paris, same dies); Sear (RCTV II) 7386 ... and here is a Sestertius of Diadumenian: M OPEL ANTONINVS DIADVMENIANVS CAES - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust of Diadumenian right, Aegis on left shoulder SPES PVBLICA S C - Spes advancing left, holding flower in extended right hand and raising drapery of her dress behind Sestertius, Rome 218 a.D 23,46 mm / 32.23 mm / 12 h RIC 219; BMCRE 155-7 and pl. 84, 7 (same obverse die), Cohen 23; Sear (RCTV II) 7454; Banti 12 (same obverse die as illustrated specimen from Medici collection)

Sestertii: L SEPTIMIVS SEV PERT AVG IMP V - Laureate head of Septimius Severus right SAECVLI FELICITAS S C - Diademed Felicitas standing left, wearing Tunica and Palla, right foot on prow, holding caduceus in right and cornucopiua in left hand Sestertius, Rome 195 A.D. 31,5 mm / 23,53 gr / 12 h RIC IV 692 a; BMCRE 560; Cohen 630; Sear RCV II 6439, Banti 145 (3 specimens, same dies as illustrated) IVLIA PIA FELIX AVG - Draped bust of Julia Domna right, wearing stephane SAECVLI FELICITAS S C - Felicitas standing left, sacrificing over altar and holding long caduceus Sestertius, Rome 213 AD 31,27 mm / 24.71 g / 6 h RIC IV 590; BMCRE p. 470, 215 and plate 74,3 (reverse only); Cohen 178; Sear II, 7119; Cayon 34; Banti 42 (18 specimens, same obverse die as illustrated) M AVR ANTONINVS CAES - Bareheaded and draped juvenile bust of Caracalla Caesar to right SEVERI AVG PII FIL S C - Pontifical and augural implements: lituus, secespita, patera, guttus, simpulum, and aspergillum Sestertius, Rome AD 196 (4th officina, 11 th Emission of Septimius Severus) 30,17 mm / 16.33 g / 1 h RIC IV 400 (R2); BMCRE p. 150, 611; Cohen 585; Cayon 142.4 (same obverse die); Sear RCV II, 6685; Banti 124 (6 specimens)

My Sestertius gallery: IMP CAES P HELV PERTINAX AVG - laureate Head of Pertinax right PROVIDENTIAE DEORUM COS II S C - Providentia standing left, holding up right hand to large star, left hand on breast Sestertius, Rome, 1.January - 28.March 193 29,90 mm / 21,06 gr / 12 h Woodward (“The Coinage of Pertinax”, Numismatic Chronicle 1957, pl. XII, 1 (same dies, obv. 11/rev. I.D, citing specimen in Paris); RIC 22; BMCRE 28-30 and pl. 2, 3; Cohen 52; Cayon (Los Sestercios del Imperio Romano) 17; Sear RCV 6055; Banti (I Grandi Bronzi Imperiali) 20 (13 specimens) IMP CAES M DID SEVER IVLIAN AVG - Laureate of Didius Julianus right RECTOR ORBIS S C - Didius Julianus, bareheaded and togate, standing facing, looking left, holding globe on extended right hand and scroll at his side in left Sestertius, Rome 28.03.-01.06.193 AD 26,73 mm / 17,93 gr / 6 h Woodward ("The Coinage of Didius Julianus and his family", in Num.Chron. 1961) obverse die 16 and reverse die F; RIC 16; BMCRE 28 and pl. 4,3; Hunter 10; Cayon 5; Cohen 17; Sear RCV II 6077; Banti 6 (55 specimens) MANLIA SCANTILLA AVG - Bust right, wearing paludamentum IVNO REGINA S C - Iuno, holding long sceptre, facing and turned left, showing patera, at feet peacock standing left Sestertius, Rome April or May 193 AD 29,96 mm / 20.87gr / 12h Woodward (“The Coinage of Didius Julianus and his Family,” in Num. Chron. 1961), obv. die 1/rev. die G; RIC (Didius Julianus) 18a and pl. IV, 1 (same obv. die) = BMCRE (Didius Julianus) 32 and pl. 4, 4; Cayon 2; Cohen 6; Sear RCV II 6083; Banti 2 (61 specimens) DIDIA CLARA AVG - draped bust of Didia Clara right, her hair waved in ridges with large bun behind HILAR TEMPOR S C - Hilaritas standing left, holding in right hand a long palm branch which rests on ground, and in left a cornucopiae at her side Sestertius, Rome April or May 193 AD 28,36 mm / 17,79 gr / 12 h Woodward (“The Coinage of Didius Julianus and his Family,” in Num. Chron. 1961), pp. 85-6, 89-90 and plate X, obv. die 1/rev. die O; RIC (Didius Julianus) 20 and pl. 4, 2 (same obverse die); BMCRE (Didius Julianus) 38 and pl. 4, 6 (same reverse die); Hunter III, p. 6, 2 and pl. 2; Cohen 4; Cayón, pp. 403-4, 1; Sear RCV II 6087; Banti 1 (39 specimens) D CLOD SEPT ALBIN CAES - bare head of Clodius Albinus right MINER PACIF COS II S C - Minerva standing left, holding olive-branch in extended right hand and resting left on shield at her side, spear propped against left arm Sestertius, Rome, 194 AD 29,19 mm / 21,56 gr / 12 h Hill (The Coinage of Septimius Severus and his Family of the Mint of Rome, A.D. 193-217) 120; RIC 54(a); BMCRE 535 and pl. 23, 4; Cohen 49; Sear II 6151, Banti 18 (42 specimens)

Sestertii of Commodus and Crispina:

I was deeply impressed by our senior friend´s passion, dedication and generosity, cherished his posts and comments, and see him as a roll model for a happy, meaningful and fulfilling retirement. His downsizing and perfecting his collection to fit it in his pouch to permanently have it around moved me to tears. May DIVUS JAMESICUS watch over us from a better place.

In keeping with the theme of this thread, here are my favoutite PORTRAITS on Sestertii of Hadrian and Aelius Caesar: