Jump to content

Emperors of Rome - A (Chronological) Portrait Gallery


CPK

Recommended Posts

  • Benefactor
5 minutes ago, Ancient Coin Hunter said:

Can't do all 12 and can't do Caesar or Augustus I believe at least. With the latter it would have to be a different denomination. So far I have Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho, Vespasian, Titus and Domitian. That leaves a few holes. For close-to-Caesar one would need a coin of his issue Caesarion.

Caligula issued no coins at all in Roman Egypt, so it would have to be from elsewhere.

Edited by DonnaML
  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Ancient Coin Hunter said:

Can't do all 12 and can't do Caesar or Augustus I believe at least. With the latter it would have to be a different denomination. So far I have Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho, Vespasian, Titus and Domitian. That leaves a few holes. For close-to-Caesar one would need a coin of his issue Caesarion.

Augustus should be easily available, although not inexpensive, unless you're trying to get ones only from Alexandria.

Oh and by the way I should correct myself; I have a Vespasian tetradrachm from Antioch but not from Alexandria.

  • Like 4
  • Clap 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here are my two denarii of Vespasian.  One has a great portrait, the other not so much.  Both photos are from Roma Numismatics.

VICTORIA AVGVSTI Denarius

I really like this portrait.

23.jpg.18342fb1fb81b825b5d65adbf8a01232.jpg

Vespasian, AD 69-79.
AR denarius, 3.18 g, 18.7 mm, 6 h.
Rome mint, AD 72.
Obv: IMP CAES VESP AVG P M COS IIII; Head of Vespasian, laureate, right.
Rev: VICTORIA AVGVSTI; Victory, draped, advancing right, holding palm over left shoulder in left hand and with right about to place wreath on a standard set on ground.
Refs: RIC 362, Sear RCV 2317.
Acquired from Roma Numismatics E-Sale 59, Lot 781, 11 July 2019.

 

Judaea Capta Denarius

This is Vespasian's iconic type, but the portrait isn't so great on this one.  I guess the engraver didn't know what he looked like yet. 

29.jpg.6adaa46ecec02f0f6725cee1143d87c1.jpg

Vespasian, AD 69-79.
AR denarius, 2.9 g, 17.9 mm, 6 h.
Rome mint, AD 69-70.
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, right.
Rev: IVDAEA; Judaea seated right, in attitude of mourning; trophy, left.
Refs: RIC 2, Sear RCV 2396.
Acquired from Roma Numismatics E-Sale 68, Lot 996, 27 February 2020.
From the collection of a Yorkshire Gentleman.

  • Like 20
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 minutes ago, Edessa said:

There is an Alexandrian Tetradrachm of Tiberius that has a Divus Augustus portrait: Köln 48; Dattari (Savio) 78; K&G 5.10; RPC I 5089; Emmett 60.7 (R1).

Yes I thought of that too, shortly after posting my reply!

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 1/14/2023 at 5:07 PM, Octavius said:

 My favorite portraits of Vespasian are of him with his famous "constipated" look...

I find those portraits most align with reality. My favourite description of Vespasian is as follows:

"Short and thick-set. Bald, with a residue of coarse and crinkly hair. Shrewd eyes brightened by a twinkle. Hooked nose, receding mouth, and nutcracker jaw. A face Italians of later age would caricature as "punchinello" and the English would call "punch". So for looks, one would have to award Vespasian low marks. For polish and social graces, zero. For imagination and innovative thinking, nothing very memorable. But for realism, for common sense, 10/10. A rock like man. Steady, reliable, and Roman."  - Odyssey

10 hours ago, Prieure de Sion said:

image.png.a0e438deaf8d26a222185547aff8547f.png

Fantastic portrait on the Mars reverse.

  • Like 6
  • Thanks 1
  • Yes 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Time for Titus! The elder son of Vespasian was a popular and well-liked Emperor, but his unfortunate reign was plagued (literally) with disaster and misfortune, and ended after just a couple years when Titus fell ill and died in A.D. 81.

His coins are not scarce, but they are pricier than his father's or younger brother's. The personal history of Titus - as the infamous general who sacked Jerusalem in A.D. 70 - plus the fact that it was during his reign that Mt. Vesuvius erupted, burying (and preserving) the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum mean that Titus's coins are usually in high demand.

Here is my favorite:

titus_denarius.jpg.6fb41328cb568d9ae7e17bbce5fbe4f9.jpg

 

Let's see your favorite portrait coins of Titus!

  • Like 21
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Silver coin (AR Denarius) minted at Rome during the reign of TITUS in 79 A.D. Obv. IMP.TITVS.CAES.VESPASIAN.AVG.P.M.: laur. hd. r. Rev. BONVS.EVENTVS.AVGVSTI.: Bonus Eventus stg. l., holding patera and grain stalks. RSCII #25 pg.54. RICII #31 pg.120. BMC #106. DVM #8. Pleasing F, nice smooth medium gray.

image.png.9185b2c3bcbf5b69a3c3381073067570.pngimage.png.a9439d99368e9f556fd165566b9f3c3c.png

Silver Coin (AR Denarius) minted at Rome during the reign of Titus in 79 A.D. Obv. T.CAESAR.VESPASIANVS. Laur. hd. r. Rev. ANNONA.AVG.: Annona seated l., l. hand holding holding bundle of corn-ears on lap, r. arm resting on stool. RCS #831. RICII #218 pg.39. DVM #6

image.png.6ce92cf9382777265a829106e9d2412e.png

image.png.495f06cac0df64ab7818394bcbc970e0.png

  • Like 18
Link to comment
Share on other sites

RIC_0020.jpg.195931672838fe30882012c46d408b47.jpg

IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG PM
Laureate head of Titus right

TR P VIIII IMP XIIII COS VII P P
Capricorn left, globe below

Reverse based on the coinage of Augustus

Rome 79 CE
3.06g
RIC 20 (R2)

 

Titusanchor.jpg.d838b591bbbb83b4f8596a20094752ae.jpg

IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M
Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, right

TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P
Dolphin coiled around anchor

Rome mint, 80 AD
3.09g
RIC 112 (C2), BMCRE 72, RSC 309

 

  • Like 20
  • Clap 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 1/15/2023 at 9:21 PM, rvk said:

I find those portraits most align with reality. My favourite description of Vespasian is as follows:

"Short and thick-set. Bald, with a residue of coarse and crinkly hair. Shrewd eyes brightened by a twinkle. Hooked nose, receding mouth, and nutcracker jaw. A face Italians of later age would caricature as "punchinello" and the English would call "punch". So for looks, one would have to award Vespasian low marks. For polish and social graces, zero. For imagination and innovative thinking, nothing very memorable. But for realism, for common sense, 10/10. A rock like man. Steady, reliable, and Roman."  - Odyssey

Fantastic portrait on the Mars reverse.

IMG_0130.jpg.ad01cff07da19b8645ed9c53e120324b.jpg

My Bust of Vespasian (copy of course!)

  • Like 16
  • Clap 1
  • Heart Eyes 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't have that many coins of Titus that choosing a favorite would be difficult. Anyway I love this lively portrait and the dolphin on the reverse

866c729960994f0090541dbaf44972fb.jpg

Titus, Denarius - Rome mint, 80 CE
IMP TITUS CAES VESPASIAN AVG PM, Laureate bust of Titus right
TRP IX IMP XV COS VIII PP, Dolphin entwined around anchor
3.56 gr
Ref : RIC # 26a, RCV # 2517, Cohen # 309

 

Q

  • Like 15
  • Cookie 1
  • Heart Eyes 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Titus is one of my favorite emperors. My first ever sestertius was a Titus...

image.png.b4135153b1af4df996ec25a0b29165d1.png

24 g 33 mm, AD 80-81
IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII, head of Titus, laureate, right / FELICIT PVBLIC S C, Felicitas standing left, holding sceptre and cornucopiae
RIC 143
 

... and my first denarius I ever bought individually 

image.png.974204e9d5a7c4fbf693fdf355bd9d0b.png

Titus AD 79-81. Rome. Denarius AR /20 mm., 2,43 g. T CAESAR VESPASIANVS,
head of Titus, laureate, right / IMP XIII, sow left, with three piglets. RIC 2 2nd edition Vespasian 986
 

One of my favorite denarii is, of course, a Titus 

image.png.fb3415000922180fc6855c6aebd0d4c7.png

Titus AD 79-81. Rome
Denarius AR
17 mm, 2,53 g
AD 79
RIC II, Part 1 (second edition) Titus 34; Old RIC II Titus 9; RSC 268
Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M, head of Titus, laureate, right / Rev: TR P VIIII IMP XIIII COS VII P P, Venus standing right, resting on column, holding helmet and spear
 

Here is another one I like a lot 

image.png.e9844287353e64653c126ecd4d7900fc.png

Titus, as Caesar AD 76-78. Rome. Denarius AR. 18 mm, 3,28 g
AD 76
T CAESAR IMP VESPASIAN, head of Titus, laureate, right / COS V, Eagle with wings spread, standing front on cippus, head left
RSC 59a; RIC 191a;  RIC2 861; ex Ryro 
 

  • Like 19
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Denarius of Titus as Caesar Antioch 72-73 AD Obv Bust right laureate draped and cuirassed seen from back Rv Neptune standing left foot on globe. RIC 1561 RPC 1933 3.32 grms 19 mm Photo by W. Hansentitusd11.jpg.e229442d5c02d9ef5bfd1a99b5817e1f.jpg

I always thought that this image of Titus was one of his mostimpressive

  • Like 16
  • Heart Eyes 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

image.png.624be4d85934e7e4adbba925777f5776.png

Titus Flavius Vespasianus as Caesar under his father Vespasianus
Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 77/78 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 18.5mm; Weight: 3.51g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC II, Part 1 (second edition) Vespasian 948; Provenance: Ex Stacks & Bowers Numismatics USA; Pedigree: From the Martineit Family Collection of Ancient and World Coins; Obverse: Head of Titus, laureate, right. The Inscription reads: T CAESAR IMP VESPASIANVS for Titus Caesar Imperator Vespasianus; Reverse: Mars, helmeted, naked except for cloak round waist, standing left, holding transverse spear in right hand and trophy over left shoulder in left. The Inscription reads: COS VI for Consul Sextum (Consul for the sixth time).
 
 
 
image.png.3066cacf48fcd4425ae50eeb9ac9b0c3.png
Titus Flavius Vespasianus as Caesar under Vespasianus
Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 77/78 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 19mm; Weight: 3.47g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC II, Part 1 (second edition) Vespasian 972; Provenance: Ex InAsta Numismatico San Marino; Obverse: Head of Titus, laureate, right. The Inscription reads: T CAESAR VESPASIANVS for Titus Caesar Vespasianus; Reverse: Annona, draped, seated left on throne, feet on stool, holding on her lap a sack of corn-ears open, holding the ties in her hands. The Inscription reads: ANNONA AVG for Annona Augusti (Imperial grain supply).
 
 
 
image.png.d85bc9e3090ff5254e47b47347b69d7e.png
Titus Flavius Vespasianus as Caesar under Vespasianus
Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 76 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 18.5mm; Weight: 3.24g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC II, Part 1 (second edition) Vespasian 872; Obverse: Head of Titus, laureate, right. The Inscription reads: T CAESAR IMP VESPASIANVS for Titus Caesar Imperator Vespasianus; Reverse: Eagle with wings spread, standing front on low garlanded base, head left, holding thunderbolt in claws. The Inscription reads: COS V for Consul Quintum (Consul for the fifth time).
 
 
 
image.png.03043a28024a4b10afe500f33d59d3c3.png
 
Titus Flavius Vespasianus as Imperator Titus Caesar divi Vespasiani filius Vespasianus Augustus.
Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 80 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 19mm; Weight: 3.39g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC II, Part 1 (second edition) Titus 112; Provenance: Ex Nomisma Numismatico San Marino; Obverse: Head of Titus, laureate, right. The Inscripotion reads: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M for Imperator Titus Caesar Vespasianus Augustus, Pontifex Maximus (Imperator Titus Caesar Vespasian, Augustus, high priest); Reverse: Dolphin coiled around anchor. The Inscription reads: TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P for Tribunicia Potestate Nona, Imperator Quintum Decimum, Consul Octavum, Pater Patriae (Holder of tribunician power for the ninth time, Imperator for the 15th time, consul for the eighth time, father of the nation).
 
 
 
image.png.b2951f9346ea469892fd08ce58c48f75.png
Titus Flavius Vespasianus as Imperator Titus Caesar divi Vespasiani filius Vespasianus Augustus
Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 80 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 19mm; Weight: 3.23g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC II, Part 1 (second edition) Titus 115; Provenance: Ex Stacks & Bowers Rare Coin Galleries, USA; Obverse: Head of Titus, laureate, right. The Inscription reads: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M for Imperator Titus Caesar Vespasianus Augustus, Pontifex Maximus (Imperator Titus Caesar Vespasian, Augustus, high priest); Reverse: Elephant, cuirassed, left. The Inscription reads: TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P for Tribunicia Potestate Nona, Imperator Quintum Decimum, Consul Octavum, Pater Patriae (Holder of tribunician power for the ninth time, Imperator for the 15th time, consul for the eighth time, father of the nation).
 
 
 
image.png.b37372794007a937f820794d87ecfb4f.png
Divus Titus under Trajanus Decius
Antoninianus of the Roman Imperial Period 250/251 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 22mm; Weight: 4.00g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC IV Trajan Decius 81; Provenance: Ex Dr. Gernot Heirnich Collection; Obverse: Head of Divus Titus, radiate, right. The Inscription reads: DIVO TITO for Divo Tito (To the divine Titus); Reverse: Eagle, with open wings, standing front on bar, head right. The Inscription reads: CONSECRATIO for Consecratio (Consecration).
 
 
  • Like 15
  • Clap 1
  • Mind blown 1
  • Heart Eyes 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Titus as Caesar Denarius, 75
image.png.c4ffb44814e4cb20cf2253044c5f52ef.pngRome. Silver, 18x20mm, 3.07g. Head of Titus, as Caesar, laureate, right; T CAESAR IMP VESPASIAN. Pax, naked to waist, seated left, holding olive branch extended in right hand, left hand in lap; PONTIF TR P COS IIII (RIC II, Vespasian 783). From the Westbury Sub Mendip (Somerset) Hoard 2016, Portable Antiquities Scheme: SOM-F1847A.

  • Like 17
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 of my of my favorit Titus coins :

IMP TITUS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M
head laur. r.
TRP VIIII IMP XIIII COS VIII P P
A.D.79, 2.21 gr, 18.41 mm, RIC II 22, Denarius

ti2.jpg.be4ed494b45ce86a6b7718dc9b317fcb.jpg

T CAESAR VESPASIANUS : laureate head right

IMP XIII : Saw with 3 piglets left, 2,69 gr

RIC II  986

ti3.jpg.d355373935d5d2c05e2b41d42197cdfe.jpg

DIVVS AVGVSTVS VESPASIANVS  : Head laur. r.

S C , two carricorns above globe, schield inscribed with SC in between.

17.30 mm, 3.54 gr, Denarius , A.D. 79 - 81, RIC II 63

ti1.jpg.13fde24d571d375b8c75c7947288a7bf.jpg

  • Like 16
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Benefactor

Titus, once again a tetradrachm of Alexandria. 

Titus, A.D. 79-81 Billon Tetradrachm, 25mm, 9.3 grams, 12h EGYPT, Alexandria. Year 3 = A.D. 81 Obverse: AVTOK TITOY KAIE OVEEPAEIANOY EEB; Laureate head right. Reverse: OMO-NOIA; Homonoia seated left, holding out branch, LT in lower left field. Reference: RPC 2467; Dattari 423 

titus1.jpg

titus2.jpg

  • Like 15
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...