Emperors of Rome - A (Chronological) Portrait Gallery

Ancient Coin Hunter · February 6, 2023

Here is a famed gold medallion found in Egypt, featuring Alexander the Great on one side and his reincarnation Caracalla on the other...as his megalomania knew no bounds, he equipped an army unit with long spears of the Macedonian phalanx and the hoplite armor of the period. (Not in my collection, naturally)

Limes · February 6, 2023

2 hours ago, Ancient Coin Hunter said:

Here is a famed gold medallion found in Egypt, featuring Alexander the Great on one side and his reincarnation Caracalla on the other...as his megalomania knew no bounds, he equipped an army unit with long spears of the Macedonian phalanx and the hoplite armor of the period. (Not in my collection, naturally)

Caracalla visited Alexandria in 215 AD. His purpose was to visit the temple of Serapis, and the tomb of his hero, Alexander the Great. According to ancient historians such as Herodianus, upon hearing that he was mocked an ill-spoken of, he had his soldiers murder (many of) the inhabitants of Alexandria (stories vary how this was done). Coins were struck to commemorate this 'victory'. Not as nice as this splendid medaillion, nor as nice as the coin in the posession of @Octaviuswhich he shared already, but here is mine:

Edit: its not very pretty, but I love this coin. This and the story behind is, is why I collect coins!

Edited February 6, 2023 by Limes
curious, are we?

kapphnwn · February 6, 2023

Caracalla Ae 36 Tarsus 215-217 AD Obv Bust right laureate draped and cuirassed seen from back. Rv Wolf standing right head reverted suckling the twins Romulus and Remus. SNG France 1503 22.48 grms 36 mm Photo by W. Hansen

Caracalla initiated this massive series of sestertii sized coins probably in conjunction with his visit to the city. The DEK in the inscription speaks of the extraordinary gifts and the convening of the regional assemblies

Jims,Coins · February 6, 2023

Caracalla as a innocent young Boy:

Silver coin (AR Denarius) minted at Rome during the reign of CARACALLA, as Caesar, in 196 A.D. Obv. M.AVR.ANTON.CAES.PONTIF.: Boy’s bare-headed bust dr. right. Rev. PRINCIPI.IVVENTVTIS.: CARACALLA, in military dress with paludament over shoulder, holding baton and spear; to r., trophy. RCS #1893. RSCIII #505. RICIV #13. DVM #81.

Caracalla as a mean looking Boy:

Silver coin (AR Denarius) minted at Rome during the reign of CARACALLA in 200 A.D. Obv. ANTONINVS.AVGVSTVS.: Older boy’s laureate bust draped & cuirassed right. Rev. PONTIF.TR.P.III.: Caracalla, as Sol, stg. front, hd. l., holding globe & spear. RCS #1940. RSCIII #413.RICIV #30a. DVM #68.

Caracalla as the demented Emperor:

Silver coin (AR Denarius) minted at Rome during the reign of CARACALLA in 212 A.D. Obv. ANTONINVS.PIVS.AVG.BRIT.: Man's laur. head, bearded, right. Rev. P.M.TR.P.XV.COS.III.P.P.: Hercules, naked standing half-left, holding branch and club with lion's skin. RCS #1929. RSCIII #196. RICIV #192. DVM #59/2.

Silver Coin (AR Denarius) minted at Rome for PLAUTILLA, Wife of CARACALLA, between 202 - 212 A.D. Obv. PLAVTILLA.AVGVSTA.: dr. bust r. with hair in nearly vertical waves drawn into large bun at back. Rev. CONCORDIA.AVGG.: Concordia, wearing diadem, stg. half left, holding patera and sceptre. RCS #1995. RSCIII #1. RICIV #363a. DVM #1.

Silver Coin (AR Denarius) minted at Rome for PLAUTILLA, Wife of CARACALLA, between 202 - 212 A.D. Obv. PLAVTILLA.AVGVSTA.: dr. bust r. with hair in nearly vertical waves and drawn into coiled plait on neck. Rev. VENVS.VICTRIX.: Venus, naked to waist, stg. half left, holding apple and palm; at side, shield before, cupid stg., holding helmet at her feet. RCS #2003. RSCIII #25. RICIV #369. DVM #9.

Geta as the young Caesar:

Silver coin (AR Denarius) minted at Rome during the reign of GETA, as Caesar, between 199 - 202 A.D. Obv. P.SEPT.GETA.CAES.PONT.: Boy’s bareheaded bust dr. r. Rev. PRINC.IVVENTVTIS.: Geta, in military dress, standing half-left, holding baton and reversed spear or long sceptre; behind, trophy. RCS #2018. RSCIII #157b. RICIV #18. DVM #34/1.

My favorite portrait, He looks pissed off!

Edited February 6, 2023 by Jims,Coins

Qcumbor · February 6, 2023

My best portraits for Caracalla, Plautilla and Geta :

Q

Spaniard · February 6, 2023

I have a few favourites of Caracalla..

His earliest Denarius 195/6 AD, he was around 8 years old...RIC#4

I love the look of the Eastern mints here he is a a scraggy 12 year old..Neat reverse on this one too..RIC#350

In comparison the softer looking portrait from Rome..RIC#30a

Next up are vota reverses for the brothers..

A cool looking coin again with an interesting reverse is this one minted when Caracalla was around 19 years old...RIC#96

My favourite Provincial is this 30mm diameter bronze from Amasia, Pontos showing the happy brothers on the reverse...Minted in 207 AD.

The only bearded portrait I have shows a heavy scowl!..

To finish off we need a lady...Poor Plautilla...

CPK · February 6, 2023

@Qcumbor I particularly like that Plautilla!

dougsmit · February 7, 2023

On 2/4/2023 at 5:23 PM, kapphnwn said:

In reply to @Ancient Coin Hunter the Roman denarii struck at the mint of Alexandria are likely to be the product of the Roman Civil War fought between Septimius Severus and Pescennius Niger 193-194 AD. However there is some debate on this subject as there are a number of coins minted in the name of other Emperors

such as Commodus Ar Denarius 192AD? Alexandria Rv Aequitas standing left 3.0 grms 17 mm

Pertinax Ar Denarius Alexandria 192 AD Rv Ops seated left 1.99 grms 17 mm Photo Courtesy of CNG Triton XXIII Lot 777 It should be noted that about 1/3 of all the denarii known of Pertinax were struck at Alexandria

Clodius Albinus Ar Denarius Alexandria 194-195 AD Obv Head right bare Rv Felicitas standing left 2.55 grms 18 mm

And the empress Julia Domna Ar Denarius Alexandria Mint 198-200 AD Obv Bust right draped Rv Venus standing facing head left holding apple. 3.01 grms 18 mm Photo Courtesy of CNG Triton X Lot 672 January 8 2007

Naturally NONE OF THESE ARE MY COINS The COMMODUS and ALBINUS did belong to me at one time. Except for the Domna and Albinus, I am just a little bit suspicious of the dating of the Commodus and Pertinax. I believe both coins are actually minted after the death of Commodus and the start of the civil war. I suspect that the citizens of Alexandria did not wish to support one claimant over another or they did not wish their support to be known so they elected to strike a "neutral" coinage. This may explain the large number of denarii minted in the name of Pertinax. I hope this clarifies the muddification

I wish I had said that ---- oh, wait, maybe I did. I do believe the concept of striking 'safe' coins for a few weeks until you decided who to support has great merit. We are rapidly approaching the 100 year anniversary of the recognition of the Alexandria mint denarii by a French numismatist who recognized the similarity in style of the denarii and tetradrachms. Relatively few dealers were particularly good at IDing them 30 years ago when I got interested in them and was corresponding with the late Roger Bickford-Smith whose passing set back the study of these coins by decades. I have shown most of my coins online often enough that anyone who cares must be tired of seeing them. To make the point here, compare the style of these year tetradrachms and denarii. Opinion: There is no obvious reason I see to believe these denarii circulated much in Egypt where they had their standard and separate coinage. I believe that the mint there produced the coins and shipped then to the 'front' to augment military pay. Can I prove it? Certainly not but that is the advantage of being an amateur hack and not someone trying to get a PhD.

Commodus

Septimius

Domna

Believe me I do regret not owning a Pertinax tetradrachm so I'll show a specimen of each of the two common Alexandria mint denarii. If anyone was considering sending me a Valentine's Day gift, A Pertinax Tet would be greatly appreciated. 😁

Finally, the single most common Alexandria mint denarius type is the Domna second legend IVLIA AVGVSTA / VENVS FELIX. These were not recognized by standard reference book authors and dealers until relatively recently. When Roger died, I don't think even he was clear on just how common they were but most were low grade and confused with Rome mint coins of the type which were always higher grade. Don't pay a premium for these (or the Pertinax) unless they are really nice. Alexandria was not particularly good at any phase of coin production and there are many really trashy ones out there.

Shea19 · February 7, 2023

Caracalla is definitely my favorite emperor to collect…I just love that angry scowl of his. There’s a lot of variety in how he’s depicted at the different mints, but it’s been said that he is almost always shown looking very angry or very constipated…usually a little bit of both.

My two favorite portraits of Caracalla are these tetradrachms from the Tyre mint in Phoenicia…one because he looks so over-the-top comically angry, and the other because of the realistic look:

Caracalla, Phoenicia (Tyre), Tetradrachm (27mm, 15.23 g). Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust r. / Eagle standing facing on club r., head and tail l., holding wreath in beak; murex shell between legs.
From the Michel Prieur Collection.

Caracalla, Tetradrachm, Phoenicia (Tyre), (27mm., 13.70g) Laureate head r./Rev. Eagle standing facing on club r., head and tail l., holding wreath in beak; murex shell between legs.

A couple of tets from Antioch:

Two denarii from Rome:

And a big bronze from Philippopolis:

Edited February 7, 2023 by Shea19

kapphnwn · February 7, 2023

Geta Ae Sestertius 211 AD Obv Head right laureate. Rv Fortuna seated left holding rudder and cornucopia RIC 168a 28.03 grms 31 mm Photo by W. Hansen

This coin was minted during the period in which Geta shared power with his brother Caracalla. Though not as evident on this coin but can be seen on others of the same type, Geta began to grow his beard in such a way as to mimic that of his father,

shanxi · February 7, 2023

Plautilla

Plautilla
AR Denarius, Rome
Obv.: PLAVTILLA AVGVSTA, Draped bust right, ear not visible
Rev: PIETA-S AVGG, Pietas standing right, holding sceptre and child.
Ag, 3.61g, 18mm
Ref.: RIC IVa, 367 (Hill hairstyle Lii), CRE 431 [C]

Ancient Coin Hunter · February 7, 2023

11 hours ago, dougsmit said:

I wish I had said that ---- oh, wait, maybe I did. I do believe the concept of striking 'safe' coins for a few weeks until you decided who to support has great merit. We are rapidly approaching the 100 year anniversary of the recognition of the Alexandria mint denarii by a French numismatist who recognized the similarity in style of the denarii and tetradrachms. Relatively few dealers were particularly good at IDing them 30 years ago when I got interested in them and was corresponding with the late Roger Bickford-Smith whose passing set back the study of these coins by decades. I have shown most of my coins online often enough that anyone who cares must be tired of seeing them. To make the point here, compare the style of these year tetradrachms and denarii. Opinion: There is no obvious reason I see to believe these denarii circulated much in Egypt where they had their standard and separate coinage. I believe that the mint there produced the coins and shipped then to the 'front' to augment military pay. Can I prove it? Certainly not but that is the advantage of being an amateur hack and not someone trying to get a PhD.

Commodus

Septimius

Domna

Believe me I do regret not owning a Pertinax tetradrachm so I'll show a specimen of each of the two common Alexandria mint denarii. If anyone was considering sending me a Valentine's Day gift, A Pertinax Tet would be greatly appreciated. 😁

Finally, the single most common Alexandria mint denarius type is the Domna second legend IVLIA AVGVSTA / VENVS FELIX. These were not recognized by standard reference book authors and dealers until relatively recently. When Roger died, I don't think even he was clear on just how common they were but most were low grade and confused with Rome mint coins of the type which were always higher grade. Don't pay a premium for these (or the Pertinax) unless they are really nice. Alexandria was not particularly good at any phase of coin production and there are many really trashy ones out there.

Thanks Doug for commenting on this matter. Now I've learned something new and if I find a Pertinax tet in the pic bin I will definitely send it to you.

Hughie Dwyer · February 7, 2023

Not being on in a while, I missed all of my favourite emperors to collect!😭🙃

Here are a couple coins which you might have seen before:

Septimius Severus:

Hughie Dwyer · February 7, 2023

Caracalla:

Hughie Dwyer · February 7, 2023

2 Getas:

Hughie Dwyer · February 7, 2023

I have collected these coins as this is another part of the empire that fascinates me - the stories of rivalry and war!

A lot of events happened in this dynasty and (possibly) it could even be labelled as one of the turning points of the empire.

Dafydd · February 7, 2023

I don't believe I have posted this Geta before. The relative scarcity of Geta bronzes really highlights Caracalla's destruction of his coins. Presumably as the bronzes were the most prevalent in circulation, they were the easiest to target.

ROMAN EMPIRE, GETA AS AUGUSTUS (209-212), AS, FORTUNA ENTHRONED Roman Empire

Geta as Augustus (209-212) As, Rome, c. AD 211

Obv: P SEPTIMIVS GETA PIVS AVG BRIT, laureate head r.

Rev: FORT RED TR P III COS II, S C in exergue, Fortuna enthroned l., holding rudder and cornucopiae, wheel below seat.

10.25g.

RCV 7279, RIC 175(a).

Severus Alexander · February 7, 2023

6 hours ago, Hughie Dwyer said:

Not being on in a while, I missed all of my favourite emperors to collect!😭🙃

I don't think anyone would complain if you played catch-up! 🙂

Are we ready for Macrinus and Diadumenian?

Shea19 · February 7, 2023

Just realized that I forgot to post my favorites of Plautilla and Geta:

Plautilla, AR Denarius (18mm; 3.56 gm). Laodicea mint. Circa 202-203 AD. Draped bust of Plautilla right./ Rev. Concordia seated l., holding patera and double cornucopia. RIC IV 372 (Caracalla)

Geta, as Caesar, AR Denarius (19 mm, 3.23 g), Rome, 200-202. Bare-headed and draped bust of Geta to right/ Rev. PRINC IVVENTVTIS, Geta, as prince of the youth, standing l. in military attire, holding baton in his r. hand and spear with his l.; behind, trophy. RIC 18.

Geta, as Caesar, AR Denarius circa 203-208 A.D., (18.9mm., 3.48g.), P SEPTIMIVS GETA CAES, Bare-headed and draped bust of Geta to r. / Rev. PROVID DEORVM Providentia standing l., holding wand over globe in r. hand and sceptre in l. hand. RIC 51.

CPK · February 7, 2023

16 minutes ago, Severus Alexander said:

I don't think anyone would complain if you played catch-up! 🙂

Are we ready for Macrinus and Diadumenian?

Yes indeed!

Macrinus had a similar background to Septimius Severus - both men came from North Africa and were powerful military leaders. Macrinus became the Praetorian Prefect under Caracalla, but Caracalla began to suspect him of treachery. Macrinus managed to stay one step ahead of Caracalla though by pre-emptively arranging the other's assassination. Macrinus was acclaimed Emperor by the legions, and his 9-year-old son Diadumenian was elevated to the rank of Caesar and later Augustus with him.

Macrinus reigned briefly. His attempted reforms to the government included a pay cut for the soldiers (the ultimate "politically incorrect" move!); that and the undermining influence of Julia Maesa (sister to Julia Domna) proved his undoing, and he was toppled in a mutiny in A.D. 218.

Post up your portrait coins of this short-reigning father/son pair!

Jims,Coins · February 8, 2023

Silver coin (AR Denarius) minted at Rome during the reign of MACRINUS between 217 - 218 A.D. Obv. IMP.C.M.OPEL.SEV.MACRINVS.AVG.: laur., bust r., dr. and cuir., seen half from back. Rev. FIDES.MILITVM.: Fides stg. front, hd. r., and r. foot on helmet, holding standard in each hand. RCS #2052. RSCIII #23f. RICIV #67. DVM #12.1.

Bronze coin (AE Pentassarion) minted at Moesia Inferior, Marcianopolis, Legate Pontius Furius Pontianus during the reign of MACRINUS between June/Aug 217 – Nov/Dec 217 A.D. Obv. ΑΝΤ Κ ΟΠΕΛ CΕV ΜΑΚΡΕΙΝΟC Κ Μ ΟΠΕ ΑΝΤΩΝΕΙΝΟC. Confronted heads of Macrinus right, laureate, and Diadumenian left, bare. Rev. VΠ ΠΟΝΤΙΑΝΟV ΜΑΡΚΙΑΝΟΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ, Athena wearing helmet and aegis, standing left, holding owl and inverted spear; E in right field. Refs: AMNG I 734v.; Hristova & Jekov 6.24.4.7; Varbanov 1170a; BMC 30v.; Moushmov 537; Wiczay 2148v

Silver coin (AR Denarius) minted at Rome during the reign of DIADUMENIAN, as Caesar, between 217 - 218 A.D. Obv. M.OPEL.ANT.DIADVMENIAN.CAES.: Bare-headed, dr. and cuir., bust r. Rev. PRINC.IVVENTVTIS: Prince stg. front, hd. r., holding standard and sceptre or parazonium; to r., two standards. RCS #2070A. RSCIII #3b. RICIV #102. DVM #4/2.

Edited February 8, 2023 by Jims,Coins

Roman Collector · February 8, 2023

My favorite coin of Macrinus is this one with Apollo Sauroktonos on the reverse. Macrinus has a short beard on this one.

Macrinus, AD 217-218.
Roman provincial Æ pentassarion, 12.64 g, 27 mm, 1 h.
Moesia Inferior, Nicopolis, Legate Marcus Claudius Agrippa, AD 218.
Obv: ΑV Κ ΟΠΠΕΛ CΕVΗ ΜΑΚΡΙΝΟC, laureate head, right.
Rev: VΠ ΑΓΡΙΠΠΑ ΝΙΚΟΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ ΠΡΟC ΙCΤΡΩ, Nude Apollo with crossed legs standing right, his right arm drawn back, his left on a tree trunk, from which a lizard leaps across to him.
Refs: AMNG I 1687; Moushmov 1210; Hristova and Jekov 8.23.7.2; Varbanov 3348; Mionnet Suppl. 2, p. 148, 541.

My favorite Macrinus portrait, however, is on this imperial issue depicting him with a long beard.

Macrinus, AD 217-218.
Roman AR denarius, 2.94 g, 19.5 mm, 6 h.
Rome, AD 217.
Obv: IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust, right.
Rev: PONTIF MAX TR P COS P P, Fides Militum standing facing, head right, right foot on helmet and holding a military standard in each hand.
Refs: RIC 22A; BMCRE 38; Cohen 60; RCV 7345; ERIC II 69.

While I have coins depicting the confronted busts of Macrinus and his son, this is the only coin in my collection featuring the boy alone.

Diadumenian, Caesar AD 217-218.
Roman provincial Æ 16.5 mm, 4.63 g, 11:00.
Syria: Seleucis and Pieria, Antioch ad Orontem.
Obv: ΚΑΙ Μ Ο ΔΙA ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝΟC CЄ, bare-headed and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: Large SC, Δ/Є above and beneath; all within laurel wreath interrupted by star above.
Refs: Sear 3017; BMC 20. 201,408; SNG Cop. 235; McAlee 745a.
Notes: Reverse die match to McAlee plate coin.