You can all have lots of fun with this query from an amateur (Roman collection: currently just 6 coins but aiming to expand it) Back in the day when I had good ideas which I couldn’t possibly afford to carry through I had a notion of collecting a consistent set of denominations: One of each of Quadrans, semis, as, dupondius, sestertius, denarius and aureus all from the same emperor in reasonable condition and at reasonable cost (OK maybe an aureus is a bit unrealistic!) Faced with that question, and accepting that there will be a number of possible variants within each denomination, which emperor(s) would you go for? I guess it would need to be during a period when the monetary system was reasonably stable. And a secondary question, which UK dealers would you recommend who could help to realise that aim?
Trajan issued all of the denominations you mention and are readily available. Not based off a comprehensive study or anything; but my gut tells me Trajan would be amongst the cheapest emperors to compile a denomination based collection of. As far as UK dealers; are you looking to go into store, auction house, or would you be open to bidding online?
Good start iamtiberius! Mostly store, occasional bidding on line, although I do occasionally go to auctions for other (non-numismatic) interests
Nero aurei are pretty cheap in less-than-stellar condition and there are many interesting types in all denominations. Baldwin's would be worth talking to if you want a UK store - there's a Dominic Chorney who works there and is active on FB coin groups. I'll be interested in seeing what you go for. ATB, Aidan
I would encourage you to try this, although my preference would be Hadrian due to the consistent high-quality artistry of his coins. However, you need to take into account your budget when figuring out which emperor to pursue. My own personal 12 Caesars collection includes what I generously call "mint sets" of the emperors, but consist only of the four most common denominations. Here's an example of one that I posted a few years ago:
Budget is going to be a big factor in which emperor you pick. Here's a fun little set I have of Postumus: Gallic Empire, Postumus, AD 260-269 Billon Antoninianus, 1.5g, 20mm, 7h; Uncertain Gallic mint. Obv.: IMP C POSTVMVS PF AVG; Radiate, draped, cuirassed bust right. Rev.: PROVIDENTIA AVG; Providentia standing left, holding globe and scepter. GALLC EMPIRE, Postumus, AD 260-269. Æ dupondius, 23mm, 7.4g, 12h; Lugdunum mint. Obv.: IMP C M CASS LAT POSTVMVS P F AVG; Radiate draped cuirassed bust right. Rev.: LAETITIA; Galley sailing right. Postumus, AD 260-269 Ӕ Sestertius, 31x29mm, 19.2g, 12h; Lugdunum mint, AD 261 Obv.: IMP C POSTVMVS PF AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev.: VIRTVS AVG, Mars standing right holding spear and leaning on shield. Postumus, AD 260-269 AE “Double" Sestertius, 33mm, 24.9g, 12h; Colonia Agrippinensis or Treveri mint. Obv.: IMP C M CASS LAT POSTVMVS P F AVG; Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev.: LAETITIA AVG (AVG in exergue); Galley left, four rowers and steersman Aurei (?) exist but would be far out side my budget. Not sure if there are other denominations out there.
As IdesOfMarch suggests a (low budget) Hadrian set would be nice: add a denarius of Hadrian's travel serie:
I had a feeling this would trigger some healthy debate! Many thanks for all your suggestions and do keep them coming. I think I'll start looking at Trajan, although any UK-based collection should include at least one coin of Hadrian, arguably the UK's second best known Roman after Julius Caesar. After all he really did build a wall two millennia before Trump came up with the idea! BTW Lovely coins IdesofMarch01 Echoing Jwt708, the best I have to date is this 262 CE Antoninianus of Postumus, Mint: Lugdunum Obverse: IMP C POSTVMUS P F AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right Reverse: P M TR P IIII COS II P P Mars advancing right, holding trophy in left hand and transverse spear in right hand The flan may be a bit misshapen but at least it has the complete design!
My first though would also lead to Trajan, Hadrian or Nero. Keep in mind you can also add an antoninianus for the two first (although they've not been minted while they were alive, Trajan Decius honored them 150 years later through the Divi series). And that naturally opens to Trajan Decius : the bronze set can be expanded with the dramatic and spectacular double sestertius Q
As a bonus, Trajan and Hadrian issued enough quinarii (silver and gold) that you might get one. This question really brings to light just how few rulers can be considered here. Yes, Q, Decius would be a great set but the denarius will break the bank if you can find one. Like sets of any kind, success depends on just how well you can talk yourself into defining the set in a way that allows you to play. I don't have the number in active memory but there are many rulers who only have coins in one denomination. Many others issued certain ones only on special occasions so the concept of a denomination set is not as natural for ancients as it is for modern coins. My Hadrian AR quinarius (half denarius) is not very nice. You can do better.
Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian struck all the denominations mentioned in the OP. Vespasian would be the slightly more economical choice of the three.
Nero was the first to issue the semis, so if you want a semis, you can't do it earlier. I like the suggestion you work on Trajan or Hadrian, but consider Nero too. Everyone has heard of Nero. Semis. 16 mm. Quadrans. 15 mm. 2.24 grams. The quadrans is generally not a portrait piece Nero as. 26-25 mm. 10.17 grams. Nero dupondius. 29-28 mm. 12.21 grams. Nero sestertius. 37-36 mm. 26.26 grams. Nero denarius. 19-18 mm. 3.45 grams. Unfortunately, he did not issue silver quinarii. I have no aureus to show you, but they are relatively common and often available quite worn making them among the least expensive of aureii.
At a pinch, you could stick in a Nero hemidrachm for a quinarius, though I suppose it's cheating. Actually, for many of the emperors mentioned, there would be more than one coinage system that could be collected, so once you have the imperial denominations, you can move on to the eastern monetary systems and add drachms, etc. Nero hemidrachm, Caesarea-Eusebia - RIC 617: This is a fairly worn but interesting aureus of Nero and Poppaea - RIC 44 (there's a denarius of the same type that I don't have and must get): Anyway, happy collecting. ATB, Aidan.
I started my collection with a coin from Antoninus Pius, I believe you can buy for a decent price, a good looking coin. Alosofor me counts, that I have to keep looking at the budget, it is easy to get carried away. So far I've been collecting all sorts of emperors or empresses, buying the coins I like or ones that attract me. PS: I'll get my collection photographed, just realizing I can't share them.
Hi all, I've just made start on this part of my collection with this silver denarius of Trajan: Trajan 98-117 AD Silver denarius 101-2 Rome mint Obverse: IMP CAES NERVA TRAIAN AUG GERM Laureate head right Reverse: PM TR P COS IIII PP Hercules, naked, standing facing with club and lion skin It's much shinier and more attractive than it's come out in the photo! I see on the Wildwinds site that some figures of Hercules have an apple as well as the club and lion skin. I don't know how that fits into the scheme of things or if my Hercules has one!!!
Excellent idea, @Cobbler ! One emperor and a variety of denominations including provincials. I may join you in that strategy with a different emperor. For myself it would be either be Augustus, Tiberius, or Vespasian—I realize it won't be cheap