Cheapo 12 Caesars

Well, I now have an Augustus, Titus, and Domitian. So there are nine more to go. I'm wondering about the feasibility of finishing out the last nine with provincial, Egyptian, and possibly bronze and copper Imperial issues.

If so, I calculate that I can probably finish the project for a budget of between $1,000 and $1,500. Compared to denarii, this represents a huge savings.

To be honest, I'm not that interested in the history of the 12 Caesars compared to the 2nd and 3rd centuries A.D. I recently picked up a great Balbinus and Pupienus from JA with great portraits (sestertii).

I've read Suetonius and a professor of mine in college (Dr. Gruen) spent half of the Roman history course I took on the reign of Augustus (he wrote a number of scholarly works on Augustus and the Late Republic) so I am pretty knowledgeable on the period.

Anyway, I figure my budget approach might just work. Am I cheating???

 

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I suppose the best thing to say is that everyone’s different. If you feel like you’d save more money that way, you can do it. It’s entirely up to you. I’d prefer that method, because it’s almost certainly the road less traveled. For example, a dupondius of Julius Caesar may not have his portrait, but it’s still a neat design (to me). Also, good luck finding that Otho sestertius!

 

I have none of the Twelve, but personally I figure I’d only need a coin of Augustus and Julius Caesar (and possibly Titus) to feel content.

 

Ancient Coin Hunter.. completely your call of course but I suggest you collect the area you are most interested in. Why spend that kind of money on a set that isn't really your prime interest? Think of the great coins from the 2nd and 3rd centuries you could acquire instead.

As far as "cheating" goes.. I don't think there are any hard rules to follow. If buying less expensive coins in cheating then I am in deep, deep trouble!

Best of luck whatever your decision!

 

I'm one of those guys (and gals) that feels like I need a coin of every emperor and usurper, so if I didn't have the rest of the 12 I'd probably be disappointed.

 

You should not feel any pressure to collect the 12. While that is my area of specialization and I love it, it does not mean that it is right for everyone. Collect what you are passionate about or for any other reason you want. There is no right way to do this. As for "cheating" I do not believe this at all. Collect your coins in any manner you desire. I do not believe it is anyone's business how another collector collects.

Most importantly, have fun.

 

I am 100% with Clavdivs on this one. If the only reason you want the other nine is that you want everyone, I'd say put them off until you have all the ones that really do appeal to you. When it really sinks in that you will never have a coin of 'every emperor and usurper', perhaps you will get over having the 99% set you can have and decide you would rather have some other coins. Most people develop an interest in something special long before they get anywhere close to a set of emperors and will end up selling their unwanted expensive coins to finance a coin that really fits their interests. Who knows, it may turn out that you decide you only want Republicans or Greek and no longer even want the three you have. I am a general collector and it happens that I do have all twelve of the twelve but in all honesty I can not tell you which of the twelve was the last I got. To my style collecting, that is not important. The fact that I have two coins of one emperor and none of another means nothing to me. The fact that I have a lot of coins that do mean something to me is the name of the game as I play it. Buy coins you like; not coins you have heard you should want.

 

Echoing the opinions of Orfew and Clavdivs, above, if your coin-collecting budget is in the moderate range, I think you'd be more satisfied spending it on coins from the 2nd and 3rd centuries. You can always make an exception and buy a 12 Caesars example if it particularly calls out to you.

 

A worthwhile undertaking, but my advice is to be flexible, you might come across a coin you like that will make staying within your budget and/or initial goal, impossible.

 

I get that. I am not looking to actively collect the 12 Caesars set .. but if I see a bargain I will pick it up... I have an Augustus (x2), Caligula and Claudius (X3). I will probably have all 12 by 2030 or so. But I promise you this: it will be the worst quality set ever assembled. It will be hard to look at but easy to admire.

"hard to look at but easy to admire"... I like that - Headstone material!!!

 

Hardly. Nobody has ever said that one had to assemble a set of anything in any particular way. It's just that denarii are traditionally the most popular. I say go with what makes you happy as that really is the only consideration. Most people look at the history behind the object rather than the object itself, so in that vein I would say that anything you find will be appropriate.

 

How can you cheat when there are no rules?

Do it however you wish

 

Exactly!!!

 

I completed a 12 caesar set in April , all bronze/copper asses - dupondii - one sestertius (Galba) of the 12 coins, 5 are provincial coins. total cost approx $ 1250

I'm now working at a 12 caesar set of denarii.

 

aha! Very cool!

 

These are all 12 Caesars coins in my Abafil tray. Click on the photo for a larger image.

 

Great collection @Orfew - thanks for sharing!

 

Thanks for all the feedback, I'm determined to forge ahead and if possible, pick up some denarii as well. I kind of want one of those AEGYPTO CAPTA denarii of Augustus with the crocodile. Whoops, I already have an as of Augustus! Anyway, the project, however it shakes out, will be a lot of fun.

 

Here's my Augustus As....and my Domitian provincial.... and my Titus....

 

12 caesars is a nice goal but only if YOU want it. Don't collect in an effort to impress anybody. Collect 2nd and 3rd century coins if that's what excites you. Love what you collect—collect what you love—and you'll always be happy.