Emperors of Rome - A (Chronological) Portrait Gallery

[Julius Germanicus]

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) 

 

 

[Spaniard]

@Julius Germanicus

I really like that Caracalla portrait!

[Shea19]

These are my favorite Julia Domna portraits:

Julia Domna, Cilicia, Isaura, AE Tetrassarion (29 mm, 15.06 g), circa 205-211 AD. IOYΛIA ΔOMNA CЄBAC Draped bust of Julia Domna to right./ Rev. MHTPOΠOΛЄΩC ICAY-PΩN Athena Promachos advancing right, wearing aegis over her shoulders, holding spear in her left hand and brandishing thunderbolt with her right.


Julia Domna, AR Denarius, (19mm, 3.73g), IVLIA PIA FELIX AVG Draped bust of Julia Domna to right./ Rev. MATRI – DEVM Cybele, standing front, head left, holding drum in right hand and sceptre in left, resting left elbow on column; at feet, lion seated left. RIC 382

Julia Domna, AR Denarius (20 mm, 3.77 g), Rome, circa 214 AD, IVLIA PIA FELIX AVG Draped bust of Julia Domna to right. /Rev.VESTA Vesta standing front, head to left, holding palladium in her right hand and long scepter in her left. RIC 390 (Caracalla)

Julia Domna, Phyrgia, Prymnessus., AE Diassarion (23 mm, 6.84 g). ΙΟΥΛΙΑ CЄΒΑCTH Draped bust of Julia Domna to right./ Rev. ΠΡΥΜΝΗCCЄΩΝ Kybele seated left, holding patera in her right hand and leaning left on tympanon; at feet to left, lion.

[Qcumbor]

4 minutes ago, Shea19 said:

 

Gee, that one is awesome !

Q

[Spaniard]

@Shea19

I was about to say the same as Q , a wonderful portrait!...The softness of the Phrygia portrait is sweet too !...Interesting how the FELIX types portray her as my old headmistress who used to hit me on the top of my head with a wooden ruler on its edge, ouch!

Here's is my favourite eastern mint example showing another side to her...

Julia Domna. Augusta, 193-217 AD. AR Denarius (3.23 gm, 19mm). Laodicea mint. Struck under Septimius Severus, 198-202 AD.
Obv.: IVLIA AVGVSTA... Draped bust right.
Rev.: PVDICITIA... Pudicitia seated left, hand raised to breast......RIC IV #644 (Severus); RSC 168a

Edited February 5, 2023 by Spaniard

[CPK]

Here is a denarius of Julia Domna which I almost bought awhile ago for the lovely portrait - but someone else got in ahead of me:

Julia Domna (AD 193-217) AR Denarius / Pietas | Roman Imperial Coins (vcoins.com)

[Shea19]

23 minutes ago, Qcumbor said:

Gee, that one is awesome !

Q

Thanks!  I love this one, one of my favorites!  And I know this is a “portrait” thread, but this is also one of my favorite reverse types…the reverse has a strong resemblance to this statue of Athena Promachos.

[kapphnwn]

Julia Domna Ae Sestertius 211-217 AD Obv  bust right draped and wearing stephane Rv  Juno standing left holding patera and scepter RIC 585a Pangrel portraits 321This coin illustrated 24.59 grms 28 mm Photo by W. Hansen

[CPK]

When Septimius Severus fell ill while on campaign in Britannia, he called his sons into his presence. As the hardened, 65-year-old military man lay on his deathbed, he reportedly told his sons and successors, Caracalla and Geta:

"Be harmonious, enrich the soldiers, scorn everybody else."

A realistic, if harsh, acknowledgment of the sorry state of the Roman government.

Both Caracalla and Geta succeeded Severus as joint-emperors; but there was never any harmony between the two. Caracalla, according to Cassius Dio, had previously tried to assassinate his own father Severus, and the hatred he felt towards his brother was well-known. Shortly into their reign, Caracalla had his brother Geta murdered, literally in his mother's arms.

Caracalla reigned alone for about 6 years, indulging in the worst cruelty and violence. After Geta's murder he issued a damnatio memoriae against him. When the citizens of Alexandria heard of this, they produced a satire mocking Caracalla. In response, Caracalla murdered the principal citizens of that city and unleashed his thuggish guards into the city for several days of indiscriminate massacre and plundering.

It's an admittedly crowded field, but in my opinion, Caracalla takes the dubious prize of being the worst Emperor in Roman history, and was eventually assassinated while on campaign by a disgruntled soldier.

Unfortunately I do not have a portrait coin, so I will have to rely on the rest of you to provide! Let's see your portrait coins of Caracalla and Geta and related figures!

 

The tragic Geta:

 

And his nasty-looking brother Antonius (or Caracalla):

 

 

[Roman Collector]

I love it!!

Caracalla AD 198-217.
Roman AR Denarius 3.37 g, 19.7 mm.
Rome mint, AD 211.
Obv: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG BRIT, laureate head, right.
Rev: INDVLG FECVNDAE, Julia Domna as Indulgentia, wearing polos, seated left on cerule chair, extending right hand and holding scepter.
Refs: RIC 214; BMCRE 73; RCV 6805.

Plautilla, AD 202-205.
Roman AR denarius, 3.25 g, 19.6 mm, 6 h.
Rome, AD 204.
Obv: PLAVTILLA AVGVSTA, bare-headed and draped bust of Plautilla, right.
Rev: VENVS VICTRIX, Venus standing left, holding apple in extended right hand and palm in left hand, resting left elbow on shield; at feet, left, Cupid.
Refs: RIC 369; BMCRE 429; RSC 25b; RCV 7074; CRE 437.

Geta as Caesar, AD 198-209.
AR denarius, 3.24 gm, 18.3 mm, 6 h.
Rome, AD 202.
Obv: P SEPT GETA CAES PONT, bare-headed and draped bust, r.
Rev: SECVRIT IMPERII, Securitas enthroned l., holding globe.
Refs: RIC-20; BMC-240; Cohen-183; Sear-7200; Hill-553.

 

 

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

Caracalla (198-217). Æ Sestertius (33mm, 26.64g, 11h). Rome, 213-7. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. R/ Securitas seated r., propping head with hand, holding sceptre; altar before. RIC IV 573a. Green patina, ex: London Ancient Coins

Caracalla (198-217). Cilicia, Tarsus. Æ (35mm, 13.29g, 6h). Laureate and cuirassed bust r., slight drapery. R/ Emperor standing l., togate, sacrificing over altar. Cf. SNG BnF 1527-8 (for rev. type).

[LONGINUS]

I didn't hesitate to purchase this one.

The portrait reminds me of a Charles Dickens character.

Edited February 6, 2023 by LONGINUS

[Severus Alexander]

I think my favourite portrait of Caracalla is on this sestertius:

And my favourite portrait of Geta is as Caesar on this denarius (though it was for the patina/toning that I most wanted this coin!)

I also like this portrait of Geta as Augustus:

And the portrait on this antoninianus of Caracalla:

^ gotta love Cerberus on the reverse of this one!

My portrait of Caracalla as Caesar is nothing to write home about, but I do have one:

Neither is my portrait of Plautilla, HOWEVER this coin does show something interesting, if you look carefully at the reverse:

Clearly this coin is from her little-known first marriage to Elmer Fudd!!

 

[Octavius]

 Three sestertii of Caracalla, followed by my favorite "angry" looking antoniniani...

[Octavius]

 Two denarii of Geta as a small child. The second is incorporated into a 19th century silver pill box....

360-degrees.svg

[Octavius]

 A selection of denarii contrasting the sweet looking Plautilla with her malevolent husband who was her downfall in the end....

[Severus Alexander]

1 hour ago, Octavius said:

A selection of denarii contrasting the sweet looking Plautilla with her malevolent husband

He is looking particularly scary here!

😱😆

On a more serious note, that Plautilla portrait is extraordinary. 🤩

I hope someone shows the other style of Plautilla portrait, which I only have as a ghostly image... the undertype on an antoninianus of Herennius Etruscus:

^ You can see her eye and nose just above Spes's hand, and her braid just above Spes's shoulder. (The mess on Etruscus's face is the arm and patera of Concordia.)  It's interesting that this coin was essentially revalued at double its issue value from 40 years eariler.

I'm also looking forward to some angry Caracalla tets!

[mc9]

My favorite portraits from Caracalla, Plautilla and Geta:

Caracalla :

ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM : laureate head right

P M TR P XVIIII COS IIII P P : Sol standing front, head left, raising right hand and holding globe in left.

Denarius , Rome , A.D 216 , RIC IV 281b

Plautilla :

PLAVTILLA AVGVSTA : draped bust right

PIETAS AVGG : Pietas standing right, holding scepter and child

Denarius , Rome , A.D. 202-203 , RIC IV 367

Geta  As Caesar, ( childish face )

P SEPT GETA - CAES PONT : Bareheaded and draped bust r.

PRINC IV – VENTV – TIS : Geta standing l., holding baton and sceptre; trophy to r

Denarius , Rome, A.D.200-205 , RIC IV 18

Geta. As Caesar ( as a teenager )

P SEPTIMUS GETA CAES : Bareheaded and draped bust right

PROVID – DEORVM : Providentia standing left, holding wand and scepter; globe on ground to left

Denarius , Rome , AD 205-208 , RIC IV 51

[shanxi]

Caracalla

Caracalla
Denar
Rome mint, 200 A.D.
Obv.: ANTONINVS AVGVSTVS, Draped and cuirrased bust right
Rev.: PONTIF TRP III. Sol standing facing, head left, holding globe and spear
Ag, 3.3 g, 18.5 mm
Ref.: RIC 30a

[shanxi]

Geta

Geta
AR Denar
Obv.: P SEPT GETA CAES PONT, Draped ans cuirassed bust right
Rev.: NOBI-LITAS, Nobilitas standing right holding sceptre and palladium
Ag, 3.20g, 18.9mm
Ref.: RIC 13a, RSC 90

 

 

[Limes]

My favorite portraits of Caracalla. Difficult to pick the best one, although most of you will chose the Antoninianus over the sestertius. In hand however, the sestertius is a beauty, despite the corrosion. The potrait is really lovely. 

I only have one coin of Geta:

[John Conduitt]

Caracalla Denarius, 210-213

Rome. Silver, 3.22g. Head with laurel wreath from right; ANTONINVS - PIVS AVG BRIT. Victoria with trophy from right; VICTORIAE BRIT (Victory in Britain) (RIC IV, 231A).

Geta Denarius, 209-211

Rome. Silver, 2.95g. Head with laurel wreath from right; P SEPT GETA PIVS - AVG BRIT. Victory with palm branch and wreath from left, head from left; VICTORI-AE BRIT (Victory in Britain) (RIC IV, 92).

[Prieure de Sion]

Caracalla offers a very large selection of interesting portraits for the interested and collector. Especially since coins offer everything from the childlike Caracalla to the older emperor.

 

The portraits of the child Caracalla from Rome and Laodicea.

 

Marcus Aurelius Severus Antoninus Caracalla

Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 200/201 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 20mm; Weight: 2.81g; Mint: Laodicea ad Mare, Syria; Reference: RIC IV Caracalla 351a; Obverse: You can see the right-facing draped, cuirassed bust of Caracalla with a laurel wreath. The inscription reads: ANTONINVS AVGVSTVS for Antoninus Augustus; Reverse: You can see the personification of Securitas seated to the left, holding a scepter in her right hand and leaning on the back of her head with her left hand. The inscription reads: SECVRIT ORBIS for Securitas Orbis (Security of the Roman World).

 

 

Marcus Aurelius Severus Antoninus Caracalla

Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 199/200 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 20mm; Weight: 3.53g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC IV Caracalla 33; Obverse: You can see the right-facing draped bust of Caracalla with a laurel wreath. The inscription reads: ANTONINVS AVGVSTVS for Antoninus Augustus; Reverse: Shown is the god Bonus Eventus, naked, standing to the left. In his right hand he holds a patera (libation bowl) offering offerings over an altar, in his left hand he holds a bundle of ears of corn. The inscription reads: BONVS EVENTVS for Bonus Eventus.

 

 

Marcus Aurelius Severus Antoninus Caracalla

Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 203/204 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 20mm; Weight: 3.75g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC IV Caracalla 130a; Obverse: You can see the right-facing draped bust of Caracalla with a laurel wreath. The inscription reads: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG for Antoninus Pius Augustus; Reverse: You can see the goddess Dea Caelestis with elaborate headdress and long robe sitting on a lion. She holds a fulmen (lightning bundle) in her right hand and a short scepter in her left. Water pours out of a rock on the left, over which the goddess on the lion hops to the right. The inscription reads: INDVLGENTIA AVGG IN CARTH for Indulgentia Augustorum in Carthaginem (The Kindness of Emperors to Carthago).

 

 

Marcus Aurelius Severus Antoninus Caracalla

Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 202/205 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 19mm; Weight: 3.20g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC IV Caracalla 124b; Obverse: You can see the right-facing draped bust of Caracalla with a laurel wreath. The inscription reads: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG for Antoninus Pius Augustus; Reverse: Shown are Plautilla to the left and toga-clad Caracalla to the right, both standing facing each other holding hands. The inscription reads: CONCORDIA FELIX for Concordia felix (the fortunate harmony).

 

 

 

Expressive are then also his portraits in the later and older years as co-emperor or sole emperor.

 

Marcus Aurelius Severus Antoninus Caracalla
Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 216 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 20mm; Weight: 3.40g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC IV Caracalla 283c; Obverse: You can see the right-facing bust of Caracalla with a laurel wreath. The inscription reads: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM for Antoninus Pius Augustus Germanicus; Reverse: You can see a lion with a radiant crown (solar lion) walking to the left with a bundle of lightning in its mouth. The inscription reads: P M TR P XVIIII COS IIII P P for Pontifex Maximus Tribunitia Potestas (for the nineteenth time) Consul (for the fourth time) Pater Patriae.

 

 

Marcus Aurelius Severus Antoninus Caracalla

Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 215 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 19mm; Weight: 3.22g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC IV Caracalla 251; Obverse: You can see the right-facing bust of Caracalla with a laurel wreath. The inscription reads: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM for Antoninus Pius Augustus Germanicus; Reverse: You can see the god Aeskulap standing facing, his head turned to the left, in his right hand he is holding a staff with a snake. The so-called omphalos (egg-shaped stone) is depicted on the floor. The inscription reads: P M TR P XVIII COS IIII P P for Pontifex Maximus Tribunitia Potestas (for the eighteenth time) Consul (for the fourth time) Pater Patriae.

 

 

Marcus Aurelius Severus Antoninus Caracalla

Antoninianus of the Roman Imperial Period 216 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 23mm; Weight: 4.98g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC IV Caracalla 280d; Obverse: You can see the right-facing bust of Caracalla with a radiant crown. The inscription reads: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM for Antoninus Pius Augustus Germanicus; Reverse: The god Serapis is seen standing in front, looking to the left. He wears a kalathos on his head. He raises his right hand while holding a scepter in his left hand. The inscription reads: P M TR P XVIIII COS IIII P P for Pontifex Maximus Tribunitia Potestas (for the nineteenth time) Consul (for the fourth time) Pater Patriae.

 

 

Marcus Aurelius Severus Antoninus, known as Caracalla

Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 216 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 22mm; Weight: 3.50g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC IV Caracalla 275a; Provenance: Ex Aureo & Calico Numismatic Barcelona; Obverse: Head of Caracalla, right, laureate. The Inscription reads: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM for Antoninus Pius, Augustus, Germanicus; Reverse: Jupiter, naked, standing front, head left, holding thunderbolt in right hand and sceptre in left hand. The Inscription reads: P M TR P XVIIII COS IIII P P for Pontifex Maximus, Tribunicia Potestate Undevicesima, Consul Quartum, Pater Patriae (High priest, holder of tribunician power for the 19th time, consul for the fourth time, father of the nation).

 

 

Oh, he looks so angry! 😡

 

Marcus Aurelius Severus Antoninus Caracalla

Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 214 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 20mm; Weight: 2.65g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC IV Caracalla 239; Obverse: You can see the right-facing bust of Caracalla with a laurel wreath. The inscription reads: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM for Antoninus Pius Augustus Germanicus; Reverse: You can see the Greek hero Hercules, standing, naked except for the lion’s skin, which is draped over his left arm. He holds a branch in his right hand and a club in his left. The inscription reads: P M TR P XVII COS IIII P P for Pontifex Maximus Tribunitia Potestas (for the seventeenth time) Consul (for the fourth time) Pater Patriae.

 

 

 

But if you ask me for an absolute favorite - the answer can only come from Laodicea - with a distinctive style and a large silver tetradrachm ❤️

 

Marcus Aurelius Severus Antoninus Caracalla

Tetradrachm of the Roman Imperial Period 212/213 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 28mm; Weight: 14.30g; Mint: Laodicea ad Mare, Syria Phoenice; Reference: Prieur 1173a; Obverse: Draped bust of Caracalla with laurel wreath to the right. Inscription: ΑΥΤ · ΚΑΙ · ΑΝΤΩΝЄΙΝΟC · CЄ for Autokrator Kaisar Antoneinos Sebastos (Imperator Caesar Antoninus Augustus); Reverse: Eagle standing facing, head and tail left, with wings spread, holding wreath in beak. Star between legs. Inscription: ΔΗΜΑΡX · ЄΞ · ΥΠΑΤΟC · ΤΟ · Γ for Demarchos Exousias Upatos to Gamma (Tribunicians authority, Consul for the third time).

 

[ambr0zie]

Geta as Caesar:

Geta, as Caesar AD 198-209. Rome Denarius AR 20 mm, 3,11 g. AD 200-202

P SEPT GETA CAES PONT, bare-headed and draped bust to right / FELICITAS PVBLICA, Felicitas standing to left, holding caduceus and cornucopia. RIC IV 9a; BMCRE 220; RSC 38a.

 

Geta as Augustus:

GETA. (209-212). Rome. Denarius. 18 mm, 3.1 g

Obv: P SEPT GETA PIVS AVG BRIT. Laureate head right. / Rev : TR P III COS II P P. Janus standing facing, holding sceptre and thunderbolt.

BMC 12; RSC 197a; RIC 79

 

Caracalla as Caesar

Caracalla (as Caesar, 196-198) AR denarius. Rome. Dated 196
M AVR ANTONINVS CAES - bareheaded and draped bust right
Rev: SEVERI AVG PII FIL - Implements of the priesthood: Lituus, axe, jug, simpulum and sprinkler

RIC IV Caracalla 4.   
2,96 g, 18 mm

RIC IV Caracalla 13A (denarius) 

Caracalla as Caesar, AR Denarius, Rome mint, 197 AD

Obv: M AVR ANTON CAES PONTIF, bust of Caracalla, bare-headed, draped, right

Rev: PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS, Caracalla, in military attire, standing left, holding baton in right hand and spear in left hand; to right, trophy

3.01 gr. 18 mm

Caracalla AD 198-217. Rome. Denarius AR 19 mm., 2,22 g.
Date Range: AD 210 - AD 213 
RIC IV Caracalla 227 (denarius)
ANTONINVS PIVS AVG BRIT, head of Caracalla, laureate, bearded, right / PROVIDENTIAE DEORVM, Providentia, draped, standing left, holding wand in right hand over globe and sceptre in left hand  

 

 

Plautilla:

PLAUTILLA (Augusta, 202-205) AR Denarius. Rome.
Obv: PLAVTILLA AVGVSTA - draped bust right.
Rev: VENVS VICTRIX - Venus standing left, holding apple and palm frond, and resting elbow upon shield decorated with hourglass(?); to left, Cupid standing left, holding helmet.
RIC 369 (Caracalla); 
3,24 g, 19 mm

 

Apparently Caracalla and Plautilla got along really well

Plautilla. Augusta AD 202-205. Rome
Denarius AR 19 mm, 3,07 g

PLAVTILLAE AVGVSTAE, bust of Plautilla, hair coiled in ridges, fastened in bun at back, draped, right /  PROPAGO IMPERI, Caracalla, togate, standing left, clasping right hands with Plautilla, draped, standing right. RIC IV Caracalla 362 (denarius); BMC 406-10; RSC 21

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

Well I have a number of diverse Caracalla pieces, from angry on an antoninianus to ethereal.

 

Edited February 6, 2023 by Ancient Coin Hunter