Emperors of Rome - A (Chronological) Portrait Gallery

[ambr0zie]

Since the coemperor and his wife are posted, here are my favorite portraits of Lucius Verus (a posthumous coin) and Crispina. The style and aspect of the Crispina denarius makes it one of my favorite coins in my collection 

Divus Lucius Verus AD 169. Rome
Denarius AR
18 mm., 2,70 g.
RIC III Marcus Aurelius 596B; RSC 55, BMC 503
Date: AD 169
DIVVS VERVS, head of Lucius Verus, bare, right / CONSECRATIO, funeral pyre in four tiers (ustrina), adorned with statues and garlands, quadriga on top
 

Lucilla AD 164-182. Rome Denarius AR 18 mm., 2,89 g.
Daughter of Marcus Aurelius and Faustina II, wife of Lucius Verus, sister of Commodus.
RIC III Marcus Aurelius 786               
Date Range: AD 164 - AD 180 
LVCILLA AVGVSTA, bust of Lucilla, bare-headed, hair waved and fastened in a bun on back of head, draped, right  / VENVS VICTRIX, Venus, draped with right breast bare, standing left, holding Victory in extended right hand and resting left hand on shield set on ground
 

[antwerpen2306]

A sestertius of Lucius Verus

L.VERUS AUG.ARM.PARTH.MAX.

TR.POT.VIIII.IMP.V.COS.III, FORT.RED., S C : Fortuna with cornucopiae and rudder

[shanxi]

Lucy

Lucilla
Denar, Rome
Obv.: LUCILLAE AVG ANTONINI AVG F, draped bust of Lucilla right
Rev.: CONCORDIA, Concordia seated left, holding patera and resting arm on statue of Spes; without cornucopia under seat.
Ag, 18.3mm, 3.15g
Ref.: RIC III, p.274, 758, CRE 244 [C]

 

[Octavius]

 Marcus Aurelius was arguably the best of all emperors and his reign would have been the best time to live in the Roman Empire were it not for that plague that was rampant. ( I think they called it (COVIDIUS MAXIMUS IXX).

some of his bronze sestertii....

 

[DonnaML]

In only the most recent example of a thread here inspiring me to spend more of my money, I mentioned above that I've wanted to upgrade my only Lucilla for a while. And this thread forced me to do it! I am now the proud owner -- even though I don't have it just yet! -- of the coin portrait of her that appealed to me the most out of all those available online within my price range:

Lucilla (wife of Lucius Verus & daughter of Marcus Aurelius) AR Denarius 164-66 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. Draped bust right, LVCILLAE AVG ANTONINI AVG F / Rev. Pietas, veiled, standing front, head left, right hand extended over lighted altar and holding box of incense in left hand, PIETAS.  RIC III 775, RSC II 50, Sear RCV II 5489 (ill. p. 370), BMCRE IV 317. 17 mm., 3.29 g. Purchased Jan. 2023 from Kölner Münzkabinett, Cologne, Germany; ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachf., Frankfurt, Germany, Auktion 396, 5 Nov. 2008, Lot 611.

She looks very sweet to me. Despite being a murderous conspirator against her poor, innocent brother. Allegedly.

Also, I don't ever remember seeing a depiction of an incense box looking like the one on this reverse before. I wonder what that is hanging down from it.

With apologies for not posting this in the "cabinet" (which hasn't been very active of late), I don't really feel that I need more than one Lucilla, and would be happy to part with the old one to anyone who sends me a private message, for the amount I paid for it a few years ago ($45 plus shipping). The obverse is really not nearly as bad in hand as in the dealer's photo I posted above; this is my own effort to photograph it:

My description: Lucilla (wife of Lucius Verus & daughter of Marcus Aurelius) AR Denarius 164-66 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. Draped bust right, LVCILLAE AVG ANTONINI AVG F/ Rev. Concordia seated left, holding patera & leaning left forearm against statuette of Spes, CONCORDIA.  RIC III 758, RSC II 6a, Sear RCV II 5479, BMCRE IV 306. 17.1 mm., 3.4 g.

If nobody wants it, of course, I'll keep it.

Edited January 29, 2023 by DonnaML

[Octavius]

 Here is a sestertius of Lucius Verus with him and Marcus on the reverse, followed by a sestertius of Marcus Aurelius with the same reverse...

 

[Qcumbor]

Since Verus and al. are already on the launching ramp, here are a Verus with golden hints to brighten up the poor captive on the reverse

 

And a sestertius for Lucilla that my mother in law gifted me with fourty years ago. It's worn, for sure, but in an even and beautiful way giving it a great eye appeal

Q

[Shea19]

My favorite portrait is this surprised-looking Marcus:

Divus Marcus Aurelius. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.24 g). Consecration issue. Rome mint. Struck under Commodus, 180 AD. Bare head of Divus Marcus Aurelius right / Rev. CONSECRATIO, eagle standing right on globe. RIC III 273 (Commodus).
From the Phil Peck ("Morris") Collection

Another favorite portrait of Marcus Aurelius:

Marcus Aurelius, AR Denarius. 166 A.D., Rome., (19 mm, 3.2g), Obv: M ANTONINVS AVG ARM PARTH MAX, Laureate head of Marcus Aurelius to right./ Rev: Pax standing left, holding branch and cornucopia. RIC 159 
 

Marcus and Lucius together:

Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, Seleucis and Pieria, Laodicea ad Mare. 161-169 AD, AE Diassarion (25 mm, 9.08 g), Laureate head of Marcus Aurelius to r./  Rev. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Lucius Verus to r., RPC online IV.3 9010

[Zarco]

Here are my contributions for Marcus Aurelius, along with Lucius Verus and Faustina II. Photos are from the sellers.

Antoninus Pius Denarius with Marcus Aurelius Reverse

I'm sure this one looks a little familiar.

Antoninus Pius, AD 138-161.
AR denarius, 3.2 g, 19.0 mm, 12 h.
Rome mint, AD 140-141.
Obv: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS III; Head of Antoninus Pius, laureate, right.
Rev: [AV]RELIVS CAESAR AVG PII F COS; Head of Marcus Aurelius, bare, right.
Refs: RIC 417A, Sear RCV 4524.
Acquired from Numismatik Naumann Auction 113, Lot 667, 6 February 2022.

Marcus Aurelius as Caesar with Minerva Reverse

I bought this one for the nice portrait of young Marcus and the nice, sharp Minerva reverse.

Marcus Aurelius, AD 161-180.
AR Denarius, 3.3 g, 19.0 mm, 11 h.
Struck under Antoninus Pius.
Rome mint, AD 147-148.
Obv: AVRELIVS CAESAR AVG PII F; Head of Marcus Aurelius, bare, right.
Rev: TR POT II COS II; Minerva, helmeted, draped, standing right, holding vertical spear in right hand and resting left hand on round shield set on ground.
Ref: RIC III 438B, Sear RCV 4787.
Acquired from Savoca Coins, 106th Blue Auction, Lot no. 1044, 27 June 2021.

Marcus Aurelius CONCORD AVGVSTOR Sestertius

I bought this one for the reverse with the two co-emperors but I also like the portrait, although a bit worn.

Marcus Aurelius, AD 161-180.
AE Sestertius, 22..4 g, 32.0 mm, 11 h.
Rome mint, AD 161-162.
Obv: IMP CAES M AVREL ANTONINVS A[VG P M]; Bust of Marcus Aurelius, laureate, drapery on left shoulder, right.
Rev: CONCORD AVGVSTOR TR P X[VI] COS [III] S C; Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, togate, standing left and right, facing one another and clasping right hands; Marcus Aurelius holds scroll in left hand.
Ref: RIC III 827.
Acquired from Kenneth W. Dorney, Classical Numismatist, 25 April 2018.

Lucius Verus CONCORD AVGVSTOR Sestertius

This coin makes a mini-set with the corresponding Marcus Aurelius sestertius above.  It is my only Lucius Verus coin.

Lucius Verus, AD 161-169.
AE Sestertius, 23.2 g, 34.0 mm, 10 h.
Rome mint, AD 161.
Obv: IMP CAES L AVREL VERVS AVG; Head of Lucius Verus, laureate, right.
Rev: CONCORD AVGVSTOR TR P COS II S C; Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, togate, standing right and left, clasping right hands.
Ref: RIC III (Marcus Aurelius) 1284.
Acquired from Roma Numismatics, E-Sale 60, Lot no. 890, 1 August 2019.
Ex L. Rose Collection.

Denarius with German Captive Reverse

Marcus Aurelius, AD 161-180.
AR Denarius, 3.6 g, 18.9 mm, 5 h.
Rome mint, AD 173-174.
Obv: M ANTONINVS AVG TR P XXVIII; Head of Marcus Aurelius, laureate, right.
Rev: IMP VI COS III; German captive, hands bound in front, seated right on ground at trophy consisting of helmet, cuirass, and shields, surrounded by various weapons.
Ref: RIC III 289.
Acquired from Savoca Coins, 110th Blue Auction, Lot no. 1166, 15 August 2021.

DIVVS Marcus Aurelius Sestertius

Marcus Aurelius, AD 161-180.
Æ Sestertius, 24.5 g, 32.0 mm, 12 h.
Struck under Commodus.
Rome mint, AD 180.
Obv: DIVVS M ANTONINVS PIVS; Head of Marcus Aurelius, bare, right.
Rev: CONSECRATIO S C; Eagle, flying right, grasping thunderbolt in talons, and bearing on its back Marcus Aurelius, holding sceptre.
Refs: RIC III 660, Sear RCV 5984.
Acquired from Classical Numismatic Group, Electronic Auction 487, Lot 589, 10 March 2021.

Faustina II Sestertius with Juno Reverse

I like the portrait on this one.

Faustina II, AD 147-169.
AE Sestertius, 24.0 g, 32.1 mm, 6 h.
Struck under Marcus Aurelius.
Rome mint, AD 161-176.
Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA; Faustina, draped bust to right, wearing double band of pearls.
Rev: IVNONI REGINAE S C; Juno standing facing, head to left, holding patera and sceptre; peacock at feet to left.
Ref: RIC III 1651, Sear RCV 5278.
Acquired from Roma Numismatics, E-Sale 80, Lot no. 1352, 4 February 2021.
From the Vitangelo Collection.

Faustina II Denarius with TEMPOR FELIC Reverse

This is a cool type depicting six of the couple's children on the reverse.

Faustina II, AD 147-169.
AR Denarius, 3.0 g, 17.6 mm, 6 h.
Struck under Marcus Aurelius.
Rome mint, AD 161-176.
Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA; Bust of Faustina II, bare-headed, hair waved and fastened in a bun on back of head, draped, right.
Rev: TEMPOR FELIC; Felicitas (or Faustina as Fecunditas), standing left between four children, holding two more in her arms.
Ref: RIC III 719, Sear RCV 5263.
Acquired from Savoca Coins, 118th Silver Auction, Lot no. 515, 21 November 2021.

 

Edited January 30, 2023 by Zarco
missing description

[Shea19]

My 2 favorite portraits of Lucius Verus:

Lucius Verus, AR Denarius (17 mm, 3.08 g), Rome, 161-162. Bareheaded bust of Lucius Verus to r./Rev. Providentia standing front, holding globe in her r. hand and cornucopia with her l. RIC 482 (Marcus Aurelius).  

 

Lucius Verus, Rome, AR Denarius, (19 mm, 3.44g), L VERVS AVG ARM PARTH MAX, laureate head to right / PAX AVG TR P VI COS II, Pax standing to left, holding olive-branch and cornucopia. RIC III 555 (Aurelius)

[Severus Alexander]

1 hour ago, Shea19 said:

Lucius Verus, AR Denarius (17 mm, 3.08 g), Rome, 161-162. Bareheaded bust of Lucius Verus to r./Rev. Providentia standing front, holding globe in her r. hand and cornucopia with her l. RIC 482 (Marcus Aurelius).

Verus often looks kinda pissed off in his portraits, but this one is pretty extraordinary in that way! (@Limes posted a good one too.) I think you like unusual style portraits, @Shea19, am I right? (Thinking particularly of your cool A. Pi's above.)

I didn't post my Lucius Verus above, but I guess the portrait is pretty decent:

(It's an As, RIC 1464.)

Like others above, I like the early Faustina Junior issues, with Venus reverse, issued under A. Pi. I posted my sestertius, but here's my denarius version, which I also like:

Some of the aureus dies for this issue are unbeatable, but there are some really nice denarius dies too (none of these are my coins!):

[kapphnwn]

Faustina II Minor As Augusta Minted during the reign of Antoninus Pius 147-150 AD Obv Bust right draped  Rv Venus standing left holding apples and dolphin entwined rudder RIC 1388 25.00 grms 32 mm Photo by W. Hansen

Faustina actually became an Augusta before her husband became Augustus. The reverse alludes to the fact that Faustina would have an important say in the course of Roman history. 

[antwerpen2306]

beautiful coins

[Limes]

17 hours ago, Zarco said:

Faustina II Sestertius with Juno Reverse

I like the portrait on this one.

Maybe you have already seen it, or checked it, but from this photo it looks like your sestertius might have a case of bronze disease. On the obverse, 12 o clock, and maybe around 7 o clock, next to the 'F'. On the reverse, 12 o clock and around 6 o clock, just below the peacock. You may also want to check out the reverse at 9 o clock, at the 'N'. Lovely coin, so I hope I'm wrong! 

[LONGINUS]

52 minutes ago, Limes said:

You may also want to check out the reverse ...

Greetings, @Limes

"I’m not seeing any of your images."

— DR

My apologies! The problem was on my end.

Edited January 30, 2023 by LONGINUS

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

Lucius Verus and Lucilla. The Verus As is "rare" and lists the emperor as ARMENIACVS and shows him on the reverse  on horseback riding down a foe. The only problem is that Verus was never close to his armies unlike Marcus.

Lucilla, sestertius - meanwhile featuring Juno on the reverse, was the fictional love interest of Maximus in the movie Gladiator. The only mention of a Maximus is in the early part of The Meditations, where Marcus discusses what he is thankful to Maximus for (almost certainly he was not the burly, golden-boy general portrayed in the movie).

And now the coins:

 

 

 

Edited January 30, 2023 by Ancient Coin Hunter

[Jims,Coins]

Bronze coin (AE as) minted during the reign of LUCIUS VERUS in 163 A.D. Obv. L.VERVS.AVG.ARMENIACVS.: bare hd. r. Rev. TR.P.IIII.IMP.II.COS.III.S.C.: Victory walking l. RCS #1558. RICIII #1392. DVM #46/2.

Is it time for: COMMODUS

Edited January 30, 2023 by Jims,Coins

[CPK]

"[Marcus Aurelius] did not meet with the good fortune that he deserved, for he was not strong in body and was involved in a multitude of troubles throughout practically his entire reign. But for my part, I admire him all the more for this very reason, that amid unusual and extraordinary difficulties he both survived himself and preserved the empire. Just one thing prevented him from being completely happy, namely, that after rearing and educating his [son] in the best possible way he was vastly disappointed in him. This matter must be our next topic; for our history now descends from a kingdom of gold to one of iron and rust, as affairs did for the Romans of that day."

– Cassius Dio lxxi.36.3–4

The death of Marcus Aurelius in A.D. 180 and the ascension of his son Commodus to the throne marks the close of what had been the most peaceful and prosperous time for the Roman Empire.

This quote by the Senator and historian Cassius Dio, who lived through these times, sadly sums up the general feeling of the times.

Commodus proved to be a disaster, much in the same vein as Caligula ~140 years before, and also like Caligula was assassinated (although the Romans put up with Commodus for 15 years.) Commodus was famous for engaging in the worst excesses, including fighting as a gladiator in the arena.

Here is my best (only) portrait coin of this terrible emperor. I like that it is a later, more mature portrait of the man, the coin being struck shortly before his assassination in A.D. 192:

[Jims,Coins]

Silver coin (AR Denarius) minted during the reign of COMMODUS in 181 A.D. Obv. M.COMMODVS.ANTONINVS.AVG.: laur. hd. r. Rev. LIB.AVG.IIII.TR.P.VI.IMP.IIII.COS.III.P.P.: Liberalitas stg. front, head l., holding abacus and cornucopia. (refers to the fourth donative, of 181 A.D., at the end of the fifth year of his reign, as reckoned by the assumption of Tribunician powers). RSCII #307 pg.240. RICIII #22 pg.368. DVM #38.

Silver coin (AR Denarius) minted at Rome for CRISPINA, Wife of COMMODUS in 177 A.D. Obv. CRISPINA.AVGVSTA.: dr. bust r. Rev. VENVS.FELIX.: Venus seated l., holding Victory and sceptre. RCS #1686. RICIII #288 pg.399 RSCII #39a. DVM #9. RCSVII #6003.

 

https://www.worldhistory.org/commodus/

Here is a link to Commodus

Edited January 31, 2023 by Jims,Coins

[DonnaML]

What a contrast: I have 80 coins combined of Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and M. Aurelius with their wives (plus Lucius Verus and Lucilla), but only one each of Commodus and Crispina. So this time I will indeed limit myself to posting my favorite of each:

Commodus (son of Marcus Aurelius), AR Denarius 181 AD. Obv. Laureate head right, M COMMODVS ANTONINVS AVG/ Rev. Pax standing left, holding branch & cornucopiae, TR P VI IMP IIII COS III P P. RIC III 17, RSC II 806. 17 mm., 3.15 g.

Crispina (wife of Commodus), AR Denarius 180-182 AD. Obv. Draped bust right, CRISPINA AVGVSTA/ Rev. Juno standing facing, veiled, head left, patera in right hand, long scepter in left hand, peacock at feet on left, IVNO. RIC III 283, RSC II 21, Sear RCV II 6001. 18.3 mm., 3.254 g.

I suppose if I could have one more Commodus, it would be the type depicting him as Hercules wearing a lion-skin headdress on the obverse, with a club on the reverse. But they tend to be rather expensive. Still, I hope to see some posted here!

Edited January 31, 2023 by DonnaML

[Zarco]

7 hours ago, Limes said:

Maybe you have already seen it, or checked it, but from this photo it looks like your sestertius might have a case of bronze disease. On the obverse, 12 o clock, and maybe around 7 o clock, next to the 'F'. On the reverse, 12 o clock and around 6 o clock, just below the peacock. You may also want to check out the reverse at 9 o clock, at the 'N'. Lovely coin, so I hope I'm wrong! 

Thanks for the heads-up, @Limes.  I just checked it against the photo from Roma and the green spots seem not to have changed since I bought it two years ago.  There's still no powdery stuff coming off it, so hopefully it is ok. 

[Roman Collector]

How about a provincial this time! I love this one because it has both Commodus AND Crispina! We know it's from the city of Parium in Mysia because its obverse die was used to strike coins with different reverse types that specifically tell the name of the Latin-speaking colony in their inscriptions.


Commodus, AD 177-192, and Crispina, AD 178-191.
Roman provincial Æ 20.2 mm, 4.69 g, 7 h.
Mysia, Parium, c. AD 179-180.
Obv: IMP CAI Λ AVR COMODVS, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Commodus, right.
Rev: CRISPINA AVGVSTA, bare-headed and draped bust of Crispina, right.
Ref: RPC IV.2, 11735 (temporary).

 

[Edessa]

Moesia Inferior, Nikopolis ad Istrum. Commodus, AD 177-192. Æ23 (8.72g, 6h). Struck AD 184-190. Obv: Μ ΑΝΤΩΝЄΙΝΟС ΚΟΜΟΔΟС; Laureate bust of Commodus wearing cuirass, right. Rev: NЄΙΚΟΠΟΛЄΙΤΩΝ ΠΡΟϹ ΙϹΤΡΟΝ; Veiled Hera standing left, holding patera and long scepter. Ref: Varbanov 2174; Moushmov 901 (this coin illustrated on the online Moushmov Wildwinds page for 901); RPC IV.1 9855 (temporary). Very Fine, good detail and nice green patina. Probably scarce, only two listed in RPC.

 

[Octavius]

 For some reason, I have never really concentrated on Commodus. I'm not sure why, since he was an interesting character. His love for the games/ludi reminds me of Nero, though Nero wasn't really that keen about gladiators.

My favorite sestertius is the one with the great mother goddess Cybele, patron of wild nature, and her ever-present lion. I have included a first century Roman lamp with that same motif as well.

[kapphnwn]

Crispina Ar Denarius 178-183 AD Obv Bust right draped  Rv Juno standing left holding patera and scepter RIC 283 3.03 grms 18 mm Photo by W. Hansen