Moneta's Temple and Gallery

Rome - Legion X Fretensis Counterstamps (x2)

Moneta — Sat, 06 Apr 2024 17:06:03 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: The price of these Judean (Syria) Legionary counterstamps is high in the market but I try to acquire all Legion X Frentensis material that I can find. Countermarks were applied in the late 1st C. A.D. OB: Bust in oval countermark. Rev: galley in rectangular countermark on a Judea Capta bronze (?). For this exact type (perhaps this one) see Hendin # 6644. For the suspected host coin see Hendin 6472-4. Countermarks are VF on a fair host. The host may be a Judea Capta series coin of Vespasian from the mint of Caesarea Maritima, H#6472.

Rome - Caesar Augustus and Temple

Moneta — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 19:28:51 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: Augustus AR Denarius. Colonia Patricia, 18 BC. CAESARI AVGVSTO, laureate head of Augustus right / MAR VLT, domed, hexastyle temple of Mars Ultor, aquila flanked by two standards within. RCV 1623; RSC 190; RIC 105a. 3.72g, 18mm, 6h. Fine old tone, significant flan flaw on obverse. First Constitutional Settlement - January 13, 27 BC by Zachary Beasley - V Coins After the Battle at Actium with Marc Antony and Cleopatra in 31 BC, Octavian remained in Egypt to get everything settled and under control. Once that was completed, he headed to the eastern part of the Rome’s territory to meet with the various leaders and get their support, having defeated Antony, who had set up the previous appointments. Convinced all was well, Octavian returned to Rome in August of 29 BC to participate in celebrations for three consecutive days, given in honor of the triumps in Dalmatia, Actium and Egypt. Octavian was the last man standing from the Second Triumvirate and held the position of consul from 31 BC until 23 BC. Using what he called “universal consent”, a non-legal term for his dominance of the Roman world, he was in complete control of everything at the time. He was able to accomplish this by ending the civil wars and was able to unite Italy and its provinces. Everyone was looking to him to lead into peaceful and prosperous times. The Senate and people voted to bestow numerous honors on him, which he refused in order to be consistent with his views of tradition. However, he would need to settle on some kind of structure, since the region had moved from the Republican to the Imperatorial periods and required resolution. Octavian carefully considered over the next eighteen months what to do and on January 13, 27 BC, called together the First Constitutional Settlement in the Senate. He entered the chamber and declared he was retiring and returning to private life. Senators were aghast and implored him to remain. After some convincing, he accepted a proposal in which he would share the burden of running affairs. Octavian was in charge of Egypt, Syria, Cyprus, Cilicia, Gaul and Spain (with the exception of Baetica), the position being granted for ten years and allowed for him to appoint legates in each region to administer on his behalf. The rest of the Roman world was left to the Senate and the People. On January 16, a second meeting was called, and at this event, C. Julius Caesar Octavianus was declared Augustus and Princeps, thus beginning the Roman Empire. The name Augustus itself combining the aspects of religion (augur) and social order (auctoritas). His official title was now Imperator Caesar Augustus. At this second meeting, Augustus was also conferred the corona civica for saving the lives of citizens, and the Shield of Virtues was erected in his honor in the meeting hall of the Curia. He was awarded laurels and the right to display them on his door and wear them. Over the next decades, Augustus and the Senate made modifications, as necessary along the way, to the structure of the Empire to ensure everything kept running smoothly. Augustus ruled until his death on August 19, 14 AD, at the age of 75, succeeded by his adopted son, Tiberius. Another description from same or similar dies: Augustus (27 BC-AD 14). AR denarius (18mm, 6h). NGC VG, bankers marks, scuffs. Spain (Colonia Patricia?), ca. 19-18 BC. CAESARI-AVGVSTO, laureate head of Augustus right / MAR-VLT, circular and domed temple of Mars Ultor, aquila between two standards set between columns. RIC I 105a.

Rome - Tiberius - "Tribute Penny"

Moneta — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 19:18:33 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: Tiberius AR Denarius minted between A.D. 17-37 at Lyon. Obverse: TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS. Laureate head of emperor right. Reverse: PONTIF MAXIM. Seated female right (Livia as PAX), holding vertical staff and branch. RCV 1763, RIC 26. This is probably the coin Jesus was referring to in the Bible when he told the apostles to "Render to Caesar what is Caesars." This example has a nice obverse portrait and complete legend but the reverse suffers from delamination of some areas. Tiberius. Silver Denarius (3.8 g), AD 14-37. Tribute Penny. Lugdunum, AD 36/7. TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS, laureate head of Tiberius right. Reverse PONTIF MAXIM, Livia, as Pax, seated right on throne with ornate legs, resting feet on footstool, holding scepter and olive branch. RIC 30; Lyon 154; BMC 48; RSC 16a. For a 16 min. examination of this type of coin of Tiberius as the "Tribute Penny" please see this video by Classical Numismatics at this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rdsOHLK7I8 More on Livia Drusilla from VCoins by Jesús Vico and Beatriz Camino: Livia Drusilla (58 BC-AD 29) was the third wife of Emperor Augustus, the mother of Emperor Tiberius, and the grandmother of Emperor Claudius. She stands as one of the remarkable women who rose to prominence while residing in the shadow of a powerful leader. Early Life & Marriage: Though much of Livia’s early life remains shrouded in mystery, a common thing for women of her era, she is believed to have been born on January 30, 58 or 59 BC, most likely in Rome. Before her marriage to Augustus, she was the wife of Tiberius Claudius Nero, a member of the esteemed Claudian clan. During their marriage, Livia bore two children—Tiberius, the future emperor, and Nero Claudius Drusus, the father of the future emperor Claudius. While pregnant with Drusus, Livia divorced Nero and married Augustus in 37 (or 38) BC. This marriage not only symbolised the union of two prominent families, the Julians (Augustus's family) and the Claudians (Livia's family through marriage), but also marked the beginning of a pivotal chapter in Roman history. To the people of Rome, Livia was perceived as a symbol of traditional virtue, combining intelligence, beauty, and dignity. Augustus valued her counsel highly, recognizing her wisdom. In this sense, she played a crucial role in shaping his policies, and her influence extended beyond the imperial court. While Livia maintained that she had minimal impact on her husband's decisions, the ancient historian Tacitus, in his work “The Annals”, hinted at her involvement in “secret intrigues”, mentioning her influence in the exile of Augustus's grandson Agrippa Postumus. Family Affairs: Livia’s official responsibilities, like those of many Roman wives, revolved around domestic affairs. Being the emperor's wife afforded Livia certain legal privileges, including financial independence and immunity from verbal or physical attacks, a status known as sacrosanctity or inviolability. She was also referred to as Romana princips, a role akin to a first lady. While supportive of her husband, Livia was primarily focused on securing the throne for one of her sons. Her concerns about Augustus's heir were rooted in the complex lineage. Augustus's daughter, Julia, had given birth to multiple children, making her sons Gaius, Lucius, and Agrippa Postumus potential heirs. Thus, Livia's sons, being related to Augustus through marriage, faced stiff competition. Despite this, her efforts proved successful in promoting her sons, as tragedy would bring Tiberius to the throne. First, Livia lost her youngest son Drusus in 9 BC when he died in battle. Then, Gaius and Lucius died in AD 4 and 2 respectively. Finally, Agrippa Postumus, although adopted by Augustus, faced exile and eventual execution. The suspicious circumstances surrounding their deaths led historians to question Livia's involvement in these events. Last Years & Legacy: On August 19, AD 14, Augustus passed away while he and Livia were more than 100 miles away from Rome. Some argue that the recorded date of his death might be inaccurate, suggesting Livia intentionally delayed announcing it until Tiberius, who was also out of Rome, could return. Similar to the deaths of her stepsons, there is speculation among historians that she might have played a role in the emperor's death. In his will, Augustus bequeathed most of his estate to Livia and Tiberius. Additionally, he adopted her, granting her the title Augusta. However, Tiberius later grew weary of his intrusive mother, excluding her from public affairs and potentially even exiling himself to Capri to distance himself from her. Livia passed away at the age of 86 in AD 29, outliving her son by eight years. The debate regarding her potential involvement in her husband's death or the deaths of her step-grandchildren continues among historians. History remembers Livia as a formidable woman who stood alongside her husband while strategically removing obstacles to ensure her son Tiberius ascended to the throne. The Julio-Claudian dynasty would continue to rule the empire until AD 68 when Nero committed suicide. Although subsequent rulers—Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero—did not achieve the same greatness as Augustus, the empire endured under their reigns.

Augustus & Agrippa Nemausus Crocodile

Moneta — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 18:59:46 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: Soon after 27 B.C. and further conquests in Spain, Augustus had an interest in the coinage needs of the western territories (Spain and Gaul). The well populated and romanized area of southern Gaul needed a new coinage. This example of a coin issued for Nemausus (today's Nimes, France# served the purpose and spread widely. It's often found halved, and this example shows evidence of divisional scratching. OB: heads of Augustus laureate to right, obscured and Arippa with rostral crown are back to back; IMP DIVI #F#. Rx: crocodile chained to palm, wreath above; "COL NEM" in field indicates Colonia Nemausus). Struck from 10 B.C. onwards; 26 mm, 11.45 gms. Perhaps RIC I# 155 The crocodile coinage of Nemausus has delighted collectors for years. Research has shown that the coinage can be grouped into three distinct time periods based on the addition or omission of a headdress of some sort on the bust of Augustus. This coin was struck during the period after the death of Augustus c. 9/8-3 BC or during the reign of Claudius. Nemausus was in the region of Gaul in modern day France (city of Nimes). Today, If one visits, there are still numerous references to this glorious coinage. The image of the crocodile chained to a post symbolized the subjugation of Egypt during the reign of Julius Caesar around 30 BC. The soldiers from this initiative were given plots of land to farm and quickly began to populate the city. The coinage served to memorialize the relationship to their new home. While Caesar inspired the coinage, Augustus created a major mint in the town of Nemausus and literally put the city on the map. This coinage was struck in abundance and served a large portion of the western Roman empire. The meaning of the palm on the reverse is a matter of debate. Long before the Romans, the Volcae tribe dominated the area starting around the 3rd century BC. Pre-dating the Augustan coinage, there was already palm imagery, thus it could symbolize the relationship to the previous inhabitants. The city enjoyed prosperity until the end of the 3rd century AD when it diminished in stature. The ruler Antoninus Pius (reigned 138-161 AD) came from Nemausus. In 473 AD the city was taken from the Romans by the Visigoths. [Shanna Schmidt Numismatics]

CLAUDIUS with SPES

petitioncrown — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 01:20:30 -0400

by: petitioncrown

Description: CLAUDIUS with SPES Sestercius 50-54, AE 29.97 g. TICLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P P TR P IMP P P Laurete head r. Rev. SPES - AVGUSTA Spes, draped, advancing l., holding flower in upraised r. hand and raising skirt with l., in exergue. SC. C85. BMC 192. RIC 115. CBN 216. www.petition.com

1 comment

Nero playing Lyre, As

Moneta — Sun, 09 Jul 2006 23:23:45 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: Nero Claudius Caesar Drusus Germanicus, adoped son of Claudius in A.D.50. An unpopular emperor (A.D. 54-68) due to his excesses and vanity. Everyone has heard the story that Nero 'fiddled' while Rome burned; he was enthusiastic about art & music, but his instrument was the lyre, not the fiddle (which didn't exist then). It was also rumored that he had the fires set to clear out a section of slums upon which he wanted to start a building project. A Graecophile and pasionate devotee of the arts, Nero regarded himself as an accomplished musician and singer as well as a poet. The type of Apollo Citharoedus is doubtless inetended to flatter this aspect of the emperor's character. Michael Grant wrote "It is only too painfully probable that this author of an epic on the Fall of Troy sang it, and fiddled while Rome burnt; the appropriately lurid backround must have been irresistible." OB: NERO CLAVD CAESAR GERMANICVS; bare head right; RX: PONTIF MAX TR POT IMP PP; Nero as Apollo standing r., playing lyre! Lugdunum mint ~A.D. 65; this type refers to Nero's victory in the lyre contest of the Neronia. This coin is also mentioned in Suetonius "The Twelve Ceasars" (Nero 25). While he loved the adulation I do not think it caused arousal as the reverse might indicate, I believe it is a hem on his toga. 11 gm, 28mm. RIC416, VM 31. Read more the Great Fire: The Great Fire of Rome, erupted on the night of July 18 to July 19, 64. The fire started at the southeastern end of the Circus Maximus in shops selling flammable goods. The actual size of the fire is the subject of some debate. According to Tacitus, who was nine years old at the time of the fire, it spread quickly and burnt for five days. It completely destroyed four of fourteen Roman districts and severely damaged seven.The only other historian who lived through the period and mentioned the fire is Pliny the Elder who wrote about it in passing. Other historians who lived through the period (including Josephus, Dio Chrysostom, Plutarch, and Epictetus) make no mention of it. The only other account on the size of fire is an interpolation in a forged Christian letter from Seneca to Paul: "A hundred and thirty-two houses and four blocks have been burnt in six days; the seventh brought a pause". This account implies less than a tenth of the city was burnt. Rome contained about 1,700 private houses and 47,000 apartment blocks. It was said by Suetonius and Cassius Dio that Nero sang the "Sack of Ilium" in stage costume while the city burned. However, Tacitus' account has Nero in Antium at the time of the fire. Tacitus said that Nero playing his lyre and singing while the city burned was only rumor. Popular legend remembers Nero playing the fiddle while Rome burned, but this is an anachronism as the instrument had not yet been invented, and would not be for over 1,000 years. According to Tacitus, upon hearing news of the fire, Nero rushed back to Rome to organize a relief effort, which he paid for from his own funds. After the fire, Nero opened his palaces to provide shelter for the homeless, and arranged for food supplies to be delivered in order to prevent starvation among the survivors. In the wake of the fire, he made a new urban development plan. Houses after the fire were spaced out, built in brick, and faced by porticos on wide roads.Nero also built a new palace complex known as the Domus Aurea in an area cleared by the fire. The size of this complex is debated (from 100 to 300 acres).[To find the necessary funds for the reconstruction, tributes were imposed on the provinces of the empire. It is uncertain who or what actually caused the fires, whether accident or arson. According to Tacitus, some in the population held Nero responsible. To diffuse blame, Nero targeted the Christians. Christians confessed to the crime, but it is unknown if these were false confessions induced by torture. Also, the passage is unclear what the Christians confessed to, whether arson or being Christians. Suetonius and Cassius Dio favor Nero as the arsonist with an insane desire to destroy the city as his motive. However, major accidentally started fires, were common in ancient Rome. In fact, Rome burned again under Vitellius in 69 and under Titus in 80. Nero ordered Christians to be thrown to dogs, while others were crucified or burned to serve as lights. Tacitus described the event: Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judaea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their center and become popular. Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all who pleaded guilty; then, upon their information, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind. Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired.

Nero Victory As

Moneta — Sun, 09 Jul 2006 23:03:57 -0400

Claudius As A.D. 41-54

Moneta — Mon, 03 Jul 2006 15:10:49 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: (Tiberias Claudius Drusus). Upon the death of Caligula the same Pretorian guard that had murdered him proclaimed Claudius the emperor. While it was assumed he was simple minded (infantile paralysis), he proved to be a very able adminstrator and took part in the A.D. 43 invsion of Britain. He may have been murdered on the orders of his wife Agrippina, who had her son Nero made heir to the throne. OB: TI.CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG.P.M.TR.P.IMP.; Laureate head r. RX: CONSTANTIAE AVGVSTI S.C.; Constania standing l. holding spear. S537; C14, RIC 68 BMC 140 - ~VF; 10.9 gm, 27 mm.

Caligula, with Vesta As 37-41 A.D.

Moneta — Mon, 03 Jul 2006 14:52:08 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: Caius Ceasar, son of Germanicus, famous 'bad boy', and subject of Hollywood fascination. He became ill and somewhat insane later in his 1st year as emperor. A group of Preatorians murdered him on January 24th, 41 A.D. OB: C.CAESAR AVG.GERMANICVS PON.M.TR.POT.; Laureate head l. RX: VESTA S.C.; Vesta seated l. S516; C27; RIC30; BMC 46; 11.7 gm at 31 mm.

Tiberius "Tribute Penny"

Michael Buras II — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 18:26:52 -0400

by: Michael Buras II

Description: Tiberius AR Denarius minted between A.D. 17-37 at Lyon. Obverse: TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS. Laureate head of emperor right. Reverse: PONTIF MAXIM. Seated female right, holding vertical staff and branch. RCV 1763, RIC 26. This is probably the coin Jesus was referring to in the Bible when he told the apostles to "Render to Caesar what is Caesars."