Emperors of Rome - A (Chronological) Portrait Gallery

[mc9]

Some more aditions :

URBS ROMA : Helmed bust left

she wolf left, suckling twins, above two stars // SMANO

Folles, A.D.335 – 337, Antiochia, RIC VII 113

URBS ROMA :   Helmed bust left                 

she wolf left, suckling twins, above two stars // PLG

Fraction folles, A.D.330 – 331, Lugdunum, RIC VII 242, 13.68 mm, 0.78 gr

CONSTAN - TINOPOLIS :  laureate, helmeted bust of Constantinopolis left, wearing imperial mantle, seen from front, scepter in left hand over shoulder

Victory standing facing on prow, head left, transverse scepter in right hand, left hand on shield //BSIS                               

Nummus, A.D.332 - 333, Siscia,RIC VII 224.

IMP CONSTANTINUS AVG : laureate and cuirassed bust right

VIRTUS MILITUM // TRP : campgate with 4 turrets, no doors

Halves argentus, Trier, A.D.307 – 308, RIC VI 760 ; 13.36*11.50 mm, 0.85 gr

 

[Pellinore]

Like you all, I have a large number of Constantine the Great's coins - a few dozens. Not wanting to double your portraits, here's what I can do for you.

 

Constantinus I. 307-337 AD. AE follis Siscia, 1st  officina, 319. Obv. helmeted bust to left. CONSTANT INVS AVG. Rev. Two Victories facing, holding a shield with text VOT/ PR, under it I, over an altar. VICT. LAETAE PRINC PERP. Exergue: ?SIS-dot. 19 mm, 2.80 gr., 6 hrs. 

2926 B. AE follis after Constantinus I, about 340. Donau area. Obv.: Helmeted and cuirassed bust to left with scepter. Rv.: Two victories vis-à-vis holding a shield over an altar. Dotty style. 17.5 mm, 2.21 gr. 

2936 B. AE follis, barbarous imitation after Constantinus I. Obv. Helmeted bust t.r., IHUMMM. Rev. Two victories MAMX, on the shield IO/OI. Brownish-rainbowy. 17.5 mm, 2.88 gr. 

[Shea19]

I’ve missed the last few emperors in this thread, but thankfully made it in time to post my favorite Constantine I portrait (where he looks like he put on 50 pounds and grew out some long skinny sideburns).

Constantine I, AE Follis Cyzicus circa 313, (22mm., 3.61g.) Laureate head right/ Rev. Jupiter standing l., holding Victory and eagle standing l. with wreath: in r. field, B and in exergue, SMK. RIC 3.

[mc9]

My favorite portraits from Helenae, Theodora and Fausta :

FL IVL HE - LENAE AVG : draped and mantled bust to right, wearing necklace

PAX PV - BLICA // •TRS•  : Pax standing facing, head to left, holding branch and transverse sceptre 

Nummus, Treveri, AD 337-340, RIC VIII 63.

FL HELENA - AVGVSTA : diademed and mantled bust to right, wearing necklace

SECVRITAS REIPVBLICE // SMKB• : Securitas standing facing, head to left, lowering branch and raising robe with right hand;

Nummus, Cyzicus, AD 327-328, RIC VII 39

FL MAX THEO - DORAE AVG : bust right wearing plain mantle and necklace, hair elaborately dressed with a plait encircling her head

PIETAS-ROMANA // TRP• : Pietas standing facing, carrying an infant at her breast

Follis, Trier ,337-340, RIC VIII, 79

FLAV MAX - FAVSTA AVG : Draped bust right

SPES REI P - VBLICAE // SMHA : Empress standing front, looking left, head veiled; two children in her arms

Nummus, Heraclea,A.D. 325-326, RIC VII Heraclea 80

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

I do not have a Theodora. Strangely I cannot locate my Helena presently and do not have it photographed.

[Qcumbor]

I'm quite happy to being able to participate with the three of them 

Theodora :

 

Fausta :

 

Helena :

 

Q

[John Conduitt]

 My only Fausta and my first empress.

Fausta Follis, 324-325

Londinium. Bronze, 19mm, 2.93g. Mantled bust right; FLAV MAX FAVSTA AG. Fausta standing facing, looking left, head veiled, with two children (Constantine II and Constantius II) in her arms; SALVS REIPVBLICAE; mintmark PLON (RIC VI, 300).

I've already posted this recently. it's not necessarily even my favourite Helena, but these are so hard to find.

Helena Follis, 324-325

Londinium. Bronze, 19mm, 2.83g. Bust of Helena, wearing necklace and mantle, right; FL HELENA - AVGVSTA. Securitas, draped, standing left, raising pallium with right hand and lowering branch with left hand; SECVRITAS - REIPVBLICE; PLON in exegue (RIC VII, 299).

There aren't too many of these around, either.

Barbarous Theodora/Constantinopolis hybrid, c340

Britain imitating Trier. Bronze, 13mm, 0.95g. Theodora left; CIHHO-O AIIG (reading right to left and facing outwards, imitating FL MAX THEO-DORAE AVG). Constantinopolis standing on a prow of a ship, holding sceptre and shield; TPZ in exergue (TRS for Trier, again reading right to left).

Edited April 21, 2023 by John Conduitt

[CPK]

As of yet I only have Fausta.

Rome mint, Dattari Collection coin.

 

[Curtisimo]

Are you ready? This is surely Helena at her finest and most beautiful.

…okay, this is actually my only Helena 😞 I still like it though! It was fun to ID.

Roman Empire
Helena (AD 325-330)
AE3, Heraclea mint, struck ca. AD 324-328.
Dia.: 19.8 mm
Wt.: 1.3 g
Obv.: FL HELENA AVGVSTA; Diademed, mantled bust right, wearing necklace.
Rev.: SECVRITAS REIPVBLICE; Securitas standing left, lowering branch and raising hem of robe with right hand.
Ref.: RIC VII Heraclea 95. Mintmark SMH Epsilon.

[Jims,Coins]

Helena was born in the Greek town of Drepanum in Asia Minor circa 247 CE.  Constantius I purportedly met her in Asia Minor while on campaign against Zenobia. Helena became the first wife (whether formally or common law is unclear) of Constantius I 270 and mother of Constantine I (the “Great”) circa 272. Although Constantius initially referred to her as his soulmate and they were together for many years, he divorced her circa 289 in order to marry Flavia Maximiana Theodora. At this point Helena and her son Constantine were sent to the court of Diocletian, the mastermind of complete reorganization of the Roman Empire. When Constantine became emperor in 306 he brought Helena into his court and she was ultimately awarded the title of Augusta in 325.

Bronze Coin (AE3) minted at Nicomedia for HELENA, Mother of CONSTANTINE I, The Great between 325 – 326 A.D. Obv. FL.HELENA.AVGVSTA. Diad. & draped bust right. Rev. SECVRITAS.REPVBLICE. Securitas stg. l., lowering branch, raising robe with r. hand. RCS #3908. RICVII #129 pg.621. DVM #3. LRBC #1091.

Bronze coin (AE Follis) minted at Thessalonica for FAUSTA, daughter of MAXIMIANUS, & second wife of CONSTANTINE I between 326 - 328 A.D. Obv. FLAV.MAX.FAVSTA.AVG. Rev. SPES.REIPVBLICE. FAUSTA stg., facing hd. l., holding CONSTANTINE II and CONSTANTIUS II. RCS #3903. RICVII #161 pg.519. DVM #6. LRBC #827.

Bronze Commemorative Coin (AE 4) struck after THEODORAS death under CONSTANTINE II, CONSTANTIUS II and CONSTANS. This coin was minted for THEODORA, Step-daughter of MAXIMIANUS and second wife of CONSTANTIUS I, between 337 - 340 A.D. Obv. FL.MAX.THEODORAE.AVG.: Diad. and dr. bust, r. Rev. PIETAS.ROMANA.: Pietas stg. r., holding child in arms. SEAR #3911. RICVI #50. DVM #1.

[DonnaML]

The only one of the three I have is Fausta. There's always been something else that's a higher priority for me than the other two, given how easy they are to find. I bought the Fausta because of the provenance and because it depicts children. Always an interest of mine!

Fausta (wife of Constantine I and daughter of Maximian), Billon reduced Centenionalis, Alexandria Mint (First Officina) 326 AD. Obv. Draped bust right, FLAV MAX FAVSTA AVG / Rev. Veiled Fausta standing facing, head left, holding two small children [representing Constantine II Caesar and Constantius II Caesar?]* in her arms, SPES REIP-VBLICAE; in exergue, SMALA [Alexandria, First Officina].  RIC VII Alexandria 40 (p. 709), Sear RCV IV 16582. 19 mm., 2.92 g. Ex. Dr. Frank Sternberg Collection, Sternberg I, Zurich, Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 1973, part of Lot 524 (catalogue p. 61) (with old coin ticket).

 *  Sear argues (see Sear RCV V at p. 77) that the two children depicted were Constantius II and Constans, asserting that Constantine II was not Fausta’s son. This is a minority view.
 

[wittwolff]

I do own one example for each of the three woman:

[Severus Alexander]

Of the Constantinian ladies, the only one I have a really good portrait of is Fausta (it's the reason I bought the coin):

My Trier Helena isn't too bad:

And my Theodora (from a group lot) could probably use an upgrade, but nice ones tend to be pricey (by lrb standards, that is!):

 

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

Nice examples of the Imperial women of the time @Severus Alexander.

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

On to the first round of Caesars under the tutelage of Constantine the Great. One of this trio is Delmatius, a lesser known figure of the period and a nephew of Constantine who lasted just two short years between 335 - and 337 C.E.

Type: AE Nummus 17 mm 1.8 grams

Obverse: FL DELMATIVS NOB CAES Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right

Reverse: GLOR-IA EXCERC-ITVS Two soldiers standing facing one another, each holding spear signum between

Mintmark: SMN zeta, Nicomedia Reference: RIC VII 204

Black Patina

 

 

 

Edited April 22, 2023 by Ancient Coin Hunter
removed dark photos

[mc9]

My favorite Crispus portraits :

FL IVL CRISPVS NOB CAES : laureate, draped and cuirassed bust left

PROVIDEN - TIAE CAESS // STR : camp-gate with no doors and two turrets, star above

Follis, Trier mint,A.D. 324 – 325,  RIC VII 452

FL IVL CRISPVS NOB CAES : laureate, draped and cuirassed bust left

PROVIDEN - TIAE CAESS // SMANTЄ : campgate with two turrets, star above; in exergue

Follis. Antiochia , A.D.325-326, RIC 64

FL IVL CRISPVS NOB CAES : laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right

PROVIDEN - TIAE CAESS // STR : camp-gate with no doors and two turrets, star above

Follis, Trier,,A.D. 324 – 325,  RIC VII 451

IVL CRIS-PVS NOB C : laureate and cuirassed bust right

PROVIDEN - TIAE CAESS // SMTSΓ : camp-gate with no doors and two turrets, star above

Follis, Thessalonica, A.D.326 – 328, RIC VII 155

Edited April 22, 2023 by mc9

[mc9]

Not my only Delmatius, but my favorite portrait from him :FL DELMATI - US NOB CAES : Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right

GLOR-IA EXERC-ITVS // SCONST : Two soldiers standing facing on either side of labarum bearing Chi-Rho.

Folles, Arles, A.D.336, RIC VII, 398a

[Romancollector]

Here's my follis of Crispus, eldest son of Constantine I.

This is probably the cheapest coin in my entire collection, but I'm still very fond of it. It has beautiful strikes on both sides and decent silvering.

[mc9]

My only Haniballianus and my favorite portrait :

FL HANNIBALLIANO REGI : bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right

SE - CVRITAS PVBLICA // CONSS : Euphrates reclining left, elbow on urn from wich flows water, rudder reed in background

AE4, Constantinople, A.D.336-337, RIC VII 147 p. 589

[Jims,Coins]

Silvered bronze coin (AE 3/4) minted at Cyzicus for DELMATIUS, nephew of CONSTANTINE I, between 336 - 337 A.D. as Caesar. Obv. FL.IVL.DELMATIVS.NOB. C. Rev. GLORIA.EXERCITVS Two soldiers stg. holding spear, shield, between them, one standard. SEAR #3932. RICVII #133. pg.659. LRBC #1095

Bronze coin (AE3) minted at Nicomedia for CRISPUS as Caesar, son of CONSTANTINE I, The Great between 325 - 326 A.D. Obv. FL.IVL.CRISPVS.NOB. C. Laur. & cuirassed in Paludamentum bust l. Rev. PROVIDENTIAE.CAESS. Camp-gate with 6 rows, two turrets, no doors, star above, top & bottom rows empty blocks. RCS #3923. RICVII #122 pg. 620. LRBC #1095.

Bronze coin (AE3) minted at Aquileia for CRISPUS as Caesar, son of CONSTANTINE I, The Great in 322 A.D. Obv. CRISPVS.NOB. CAES. Laur., dr. & cuirassed bust r. Rev. CAESARVM.NOSTRORVM.VOT.X Legend surrounding Laurel wreath terminating in circle with pallet, enclosing VOT /./X Palm branches in left and right fields in wreath. AQS in exergue. RCS #3918. RICVII #108 pg. 405. LRBC #1095.

No Hanniballianus

 

[Qcumbor]

My so-so Delmatius (needs another picture) and my favorite Crispus. 

 

My only hannibalianus turned out to be a fake (I got a full refund from the auction house ten years after purchase when it was discovered)

Q

[O-Towner]

A Crispus I haven't figured out yet (RIC ?):

Crispus, as Caesar : Ae Follis : Rome mint

Obv: CRISPVS NOBIL CAES: Laureate and cuirassed bust right

Rev: PRINCIPIA IVVENTVTIS; Mars advancing right holding spear and shield, A in left field; R T in exergue

Crispus, as Caesar : Ae3 : Rome mint : RIC VII Rome 180 var. (bust type)

Obv: CRISPVS NOB CAES: Laureate and cuirassed bust right

Rev: VIRTVS AVGG; Campgate with closed doors, P - R across fields; R Q in exergue

 

Edited April 23, 2023 by O-Towner

[DonnaML]

One Crispus, one Delmatius, nothing for the other guy.

Crispus Caesar (son of Constantine I), Billon reduced Centenionalis, Arelate [Arles] Mint (3rd Officina) 321 AD. Obv. Laureate bust right, CRISPUS NOB CAES / Rev. VOT • V in three lines within laurel wreath, CAESARVM NOSTRORVM. In exergue: T [Crescent] A. RIC VII ARLES 235 (p. 260), Sear RCV IV 16747, Cohen 30. 20 mm., 2.73 g.

Delmatius Caesar (nephew of Constantine I), Billon reduced Centenionalis, Antioch Mint (10th Officina), 335-337 AD. Obv. Laureate and cuirassed bust right, FL DELMA-TIVS NOB C / Rev. Two helmeted soldiers, standing facing one another, reversed spears in outer hands, inner hands on shields resting on ground, one standard between them, GLOR-IA EXERC-ITVS; in exergue, SMANI [Antioch, 10th Officina]. RIC VII Antioch 112, p. 697; Sear RCV IV 16901; Cohen 4. 15x16 mm., 1.7 g.

 

[John Conduitt]

36 minutes ago, O-Towner said:

A Crispus I haven't figured out yet (RIC ?):

Crispus, as Caesar : Ae Follis : Rome mint

Obv: CRISPVS NOBIL CAES: Laureate and cuirassed bust right

Rev: PRINCIPIA IVVENTVTIS; Mars advancing right holding spear and shield, A in left field; R T in exergue

 

The nearest I can get is RIC VII, 87. I think perhaps the spear should be 'pointing forward' on Ocre.

Edited April 22, 2023 by John Conduitt

[Severus Alexander]

I have quite a few Crispus, but a clear favourite portrait-wise. For D & H these are my only ones.

Crispus, Antioch:

^These anepigraphics are fairly scarce for Crispus, possibly due to the damnatio. (I'm wondering if this is from the same engraver as @mc9's lovely example above.)

Delmatius, Siscia:

Hannibalianus, Constantinople:

Hannibalianus is an odd duck. First, his strange name. Why would a Roman name their kid after Hannibal? Presumably this has something to do with his having been born in Tolosa, to a half-brother of Constantine. (Delmatius and Hannibalianus were brothers.) Does anybody know more than that?

The second odd thing is his title of Rex, which was of course anathema to the Romans. I understand better the reason for this, which is that Constantine made him King of Pontus and other regions bordering on the Sassanid empire in preparation for an invasion. (Didn't happen until Julian, of course, because Constantine kicked the bucket too soon.)