1. Julio-Claudian 2. Flavian 3. Nerva-Antonine 4. Severan 5. Crisis era 6. Christian era I prefer the Antonine era, the golden age! Imagine someone like a rich patrician being born around 100 AD and living all their life under the peak of their society, only ever seeing talented and competent emperors leading the empire! Such power and luxury, and no worries of external threat when you're at the apex (unless you happen to cross path with the emperor himself or succumbing to an illness).
Last year I favored the Julio-Claudian era. This year the Tetrarchy and the transition to the Byzantine era has been more interesting. I find that my favorite era is changing all the time. If you held a gun to my head and told me to «pick ONE», I would probably choose the Julio-Claudian. I picked up some Julio Claudian bronze coins in May. Haven’t posted them here yet, so:
In the last months I find myself checking Flavian coins more often than before. I think it's fascinating that Vespasian managed to bring stability to the Empire after a very gray period. In my last auction I managed to grab 2 denarii from Vespasian's reign. One of them depicting Domitian as Caesar. Not great, especially the Domitian one, but I won't refuse a worn coin from my area of interest (if it is identifiable). Vespasian (69-79) AR Denarius, Rome, 77-78 IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG - Laureate head right Rev: Pair of oxen under yoke left, In exergue, COS VIII. C 133. BMC 206. RIC 943. CBN 184 2,67 g, 18 mm Domitian (Caesar, 69-81) AR Denarius, Rome, 77-78 CAESAR AVG F DOMITIANVS - laureate head right Rev: [COS V] - Soldier on horseback rearing right, raising right hand. RIC 957 (Vespasian); C 49a 2,57 g, 18 mm (I lost a beautiful Divus Vespasian with foreparts of capricorns, that was a big mistake, but if I miss a coin this simply means I didn't want it that much, as I had the same chance as the other bidders) Options 2 and 3 are Nerva-Antonine and Julio-Claudian periods, followed by Severan coins. Late 3rd century and 4th century don't present the same interest for me, but I'm sure in the future I will study that area more carefully also.
Similar to @Roman Collector, I also favor the Antonine period. Imagine a "family gathering" at a round table.
I prefer the coins struck in the tumultuous period just before the establishment of the Principate. From that time period onwards, I enjoy coins of the first 4 options mentioned, also including "the civil war era of 68-69 AD" Some coins:
Artistically and ethically, if that makes sense, I love the Nerva-Antonine era. My favourite era historically, and the era my collecting focuses on now, is the Tetrarchic through to the founding of Constantinople. That said, I am becoming more interested in possibly starting a collection broadening slightly to cover the period from Gallienus up to the rise of Diocletian. In particular I am very interested in the 'Gallic Empire'. To be honest though, I could happily pick any time during the era and find some interesting avenues to go down.
I like them all, but the list is deficient! Where is the tetrarchy? This collecting year I love the tetrarchal period (from 284, Diocletian and following) the most: http://augustuscoins.com/ed/tetrarchy/extra.html I recently got this coin of Diocletian from Nicomedia. Portraits from Nicomedia are the most "bull-necked" of any mint: 28-27 mm. 9.42 grams. IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG Laureate head right GENIO POPVLI ROMANI SMN in exergue RIC VI Nicomedia 27a "c. 294-5" Sear IV 12789
This is a difficult question, however for the history I really like the Julio Claudian era because the sources are much more comprehensive and entertaining. However in terms of the coinage I would have to go with the early Antonines ( Trajan through to Antoninus Pius) I personally think that the coinage from this period has the most variety in terms of portraits and reverse types. It is during this period that the sestertius finally reaches their apogee with their broad flans giving the die cutters a broad canvas upon which to create their images as well as the wide variety of reverse types often celebrating specific historical events. Hadrian Ae Sestertius 125-128 AD Obv Bust right laureate drapery on far shoulder Rv. Diana standing right holding bow and arrow. 28.53 grms 34 mm Photo by W. Hansen This coin does not have an interesting historical reverse. However overall the composition of this coin is actually quite good. The image of the Emperor is well engraved and the size of the central image in relation to the field is actually very good. The image on the reverse though small is very finely detailed and with good proportions giving a high degree of elegance to the image of Diana. Overall a well thought out design.
At the moment the Crisis era. I find it fascinating to study the issues which almost brought the empire to its knees. Similarly, I enjoy studying the actions of the competent leaders who led the empire out of the crisis. Plus, the writings of the primary sources at the time, Dio, Herodian, etc. are fascinating. While there is a bit of a break in the historical record after Herodian, an absence usually filled by the unreliable Historia Augusta, coins fill in much of our missing knowledge.
At the moment the Crisis era. I find it fascinating to study the issues which almost brought the empire to its knees. Similarly, I enjoy studying the actions of the competent leaders who led the empire out of the crisis. Plus, the writings of the primary sources at the time, Dio, Herodian, etc. are fascinating. While there is a bit of a break in the historical record after Herodian, an absence usually filled by the unreliable Historia Augusta, coins fill in much of our missing knowledge.
