One could make a whole collection theme from "empire founders" - Augustus is of course an easy on to include: For the Sasanian Empire - Ardashir V of Persis founded the Sasanian Empire. Although the fire altar is very familiar to anyone who has seen a Sasanian Drachm. This tetradrachm looks and feels more like a Parthian Tetradrachm. For the longer write-up of this coin see: https://www.sullacoins.com/post/founder-of-the-sasanian-empire Post your coins of the founders of empires, coins of Ardashir, or coins of his rivals for power e.g. Parthian King Artabanus VI or anything else that you find interesting or entertaining.
Mehmed II, also known as Mehmed the Conqueror, was not the founder of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire was founded by Osman I (also known as Osman Gazi) in the late 13th century, around 1299. However, Mehmed II played a crucial role in expanding and solidifying the empire's power. His most famous achievement was the conquest of Constantinople in 1453, which marked the end of the Byzantine Empire and established the Ottoman Empire as a dominant force in both Europe and the Middle East.
I think this fella would qualify as a founder. Seleucus I Nikator, tetradrachm Susa Mint, ca. 304–294 BC. SC 173.12 17.00 grams A number of these coins are entering the market from a hoard, probably from Iran but possibly Syria as well. Hoard location information is very hard to pin down.
Islamic Sultanates. Delhi. Shams al-Din Iltutmish, AH 607-633 / AD 1211-1236 Shams al-Din Iltutmish was the third ruler of the Delhi Sultanate in India and the first to consolidate it into a significant political and cultural power.
Arguably, Elizabeth the 1st and James the 1st were the founders of the British Empire by a planned policy of overseas plantations that eventually led to an Empire of 400 million people. It didn't end well. ELIZABETH 1 THREE PENCE QUEEN FACING LEFT ROSE BEHIND BUST 1578 S.2573 JAMES 1 1605-16 SHILLING LONDON SINGLE ARCHED CROWN S.2656
First Emperor of China... Qin Shi Huang Di (Emperor) China Qin Shi Huang 34mm 8.5g ban liang 221-206 BCE 半两 Primitive Line script rare ex Dr Alex Fishman China Qin 220-180 BC AE 12 Zhu Ban Liang Blank H7.7