The Roman coinage presented here represents a selection from my former private collection, assembled over many years with a particular focus on large Roman bronze denominations — especially Sestertii of the Imperial period. Most of the coins shown are Sestertii, accompanied by a small number of Asses, Dupondii and silver issues in the few cases were no Sestertii were struck for a ruler or his relatives.
What fascinated me most about Roman coins was their unique combination of history, portraiture, propaganda and miniature sculpture. Unlike many later coinages, Roman imperial coins preserve remarkably individual portraits and often commemorate specific historical events, dynastic programs, architectural monuments or religious ceremonies. Especially the large bronze denominations allowed Roman engravers to create miniature works of art of extraordinary character and realism.
The collection focuses particularly on the Roman Imperial period from the Adoptive Emperors through the Severan dynasty and the Soldier Emperors of the 3rd century AD and includes all rulers from Julius Caesar up to Gallienus including all their wives as long as there were coins minted for them in Rome.
By clicking on most of the coins, detailed certificates by David Sear can be opened, including historical background information and further numismatic commentary on the respective pieces.
The first 12 Caesars and their Relatives (44 B.C. – 96 A.D.)
Octavian und Julius Caesar (+44 BC)
Augustus (27 BC – 14 AD)
Livia (+29 AD)
Tiberius Caesar (37 AD)
Tiberius (14-37 AD)
Drusus Caesar (+33 AD)
Caligula (37-41 AD)
Agrippa (12 BC)
Germanicus Caesar (+19 AD)
Agrippina Senior (+33 AD)
Claudius (41-54 AD)
Nero Claudius Drusus (+ 9 BC)
Antonia (+37 AD)
Agrippina Junior (+59 AD)
Nero (54-68 AD)
Nero (54-68 AD)
Galba (68-69 AD)
Otho (69 AD)
Vitellius (69 AD)
Vespasian (69-79 AD)
Titus (79-81 AD)
Julia Titi (+91 AD)
Domitian (81-96 AD)
Domitian (81-96 AD)
The Adoptive Emperors (96 A.D. – 193 A.D.)
Nerva (96-98)
Trajan (98-117)
Plotina (+123)
Hadrian (117-138)
Hadrian (117-138)
Hadrian (117-138)
Hadrian (117-138)
Sabina (+136)
Aelius Caesar (+138)
Antoninus Pius (138-161)
Faustina I (+140)
Marcus Aurelius (+161)
Faustina II (+175)
Lucius Verus (161-169)
Lucilla (+182)
Commodus (180-192)
Crispina (+182)
Pertinax (193)
Didius Julianus (193)
Manlia Scantilla (+193)
Didia Clara (+ after 193)
The Severan Dynasty (193 A.D. – 235 A.D.)
Septimius Severus (193-211)
Septimius Severus (193-211)
Septimius Severus (193-211)
Julia Domna (+217)
Julia Domna (+217)
Clodius Albinus Caesar (+196)
Caracalla Caesar (+217)
Caracalla (211-217)
Caracalla (211-217)
Plautilla (+211)
Geta Caesar (+211)
Geta (211)
Macrinus (217-218)
Macrinus (217-218)
Diadumenianus (218)
Elagabalus (218-222)
Julia Maesa (+224)
Julia Soaemias (+222)
Julia Paula (+ after 222)
Aquila Severa (+ after 222)
Annia Faustina (+ after 222)
Severus Alexander (222-235)
Julia Mamaea (+235)
Orbiana (+ after 227)
The Soldier Emperors (235 A.D. – 268 A.D.)
Maximinus Thrax (235-238)
Paulina (+235)
Maximus Caesar (+235)
Gordian I (238)
Gordian II (238)
Pupienus(+238)
Balbinus (238)
Gordian III (238-244)
Philippus I (244-248)
Otacilia Severa (+249)
Philippus II (247-249)
Decius (249-251)
Herennia Etruscilla (+252)
Herennius Etruscus (251)
Hostilianus (251)
Trebonianus Gallus (251-253)
Volusianus (251-253)
Aemilianus (253)
Valerianus (253-260)
Mariniana (+ before 254)
Gallienus (253-268)
Gallienus (253-268)
Salonina (+268)
Valerianus Caesar (+258)
Saloninus Caesar (+260)
Postumus (250-268)
Numerianus (283-284)