Two additions to my collection of 1st Century AD Roman Empresses & other royal women.

I'm still missing plenty from the first century (never mind from later centuries), but I was pleased to add these two recently.

Messalina [I haven't had a chance to photograph this one myself yet -- it's not as over-cleaned as it looks in the dealer's photo]:

Claudius I, billon [Sear & others]/AR [RPC] Tetradrachm, Year 4 [43/44 AD], Alexandria, Egypt Mint. Obv. Laureate head right, ΤΙ ΚΛΑVΔΙ ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒΑ ΓΕΡΜΑΝΙ ΑVΤΟΚΡ around, LΔ [Year 4] under chin / Rev. Messalina [Third wife of Claudius and mother of Britannicus] as Demeter, standing facing, head left, leaning left elbow on short column, holding grain ears in left arm and two standing children [representing Claudia Octavia and Britannicus*] on outstretched right hand; to left, lituus; ΜΕΣΣΑΛΙΝΑ ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒΑΣ. RPC [Roman Provincial Coinage] Vol. I 5146 (1992); RPC I Online at https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/1/5146; Emmett 74.4 [Emmett, Keith, Alexandrian Coins (Lodi, WI, 2001)]; K&G 12.36 [Kampmann, Ursula & Granschow, Thomas, Die Münzen der römischen Münzstätte Alexandria (2008)]; Dattari (Savio) 126198 [Savio, A. ed., Catalogo completo della collezione Dattari Numi Augg. Alexandrini (Trieste, 2007)]; Köln 82 [Geissen, A., Katalog alexandrinischer Kaisermünzen, Köln, Band I (Augustus-Trajan) (Cologne, 1974); Sear RCV I 1869 [Year 6; ill of Year 2 w/lituus at p. 369.] 23 mm., 13.02 g., 12 h.



*Probably her two children with Claudius, both born before Year 4 of Claudius’s reign; Claudia Octavia later became the Emperor Nero’s first wife. See note in Sear RCV I at p. 369.

Poppea:

Nero, Billon Tetradrachm, Year 11 (64/65 AD), Alexandria, Egypt Mint. Obv. Radiate head of Nero, right, ΝΕΡΩ ΚΛΑV ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒ ΓΕΡ AY / Rev. Draped bust of Poppea Sabina [second wife of Nero and former wife of Otho], right, ΠΟΠΠΑΙΑ ΣΕΒΑΣΤΗ around, LIA [Year 11] in right field. RPC [Roman Provincial Coinage] Vol. I 5280 (1992)]; RPC Online at https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/1/5280; Emmett 128.11[Emmett, Keith, Alexandrian Coins (Lodi, WI, 2001)]; Dattari (Savio) 197-198 [Savio, A. ed., Catalogo completo della collezione Dattari Numi Augg. Alexandrini (Trieste, 2007)]; Milne 223 [Milne, J., A Catalogue of the Alexandrian Coins in the Ashmolean Museum (Oxford, 1933, reprint with supplement by Colin M. Kraay)]; K&G 14.85 (ill. p. 59) [Kampmann, Ursula & Granschow, Thomas, Die Münzen der römischen Münzstätte Alexandria (2008)]; BMC 16 Alexandria 124 at p. 16 [Pool, Reginald Stuart, A Catalog of the Greek Coins in the British Museum, Vol. 16, Alexandria (London 1892)], Sear RCV I 2002 (Year 11; ill. of Year 10, at p. 394). 26.5 mm., 12.98 g. Purchased from Odysseus Numismatique, Montpellier, France, Sep. 2021.



The small number of other coins in this category that I already had.

Livia (maybe):

Tiberius AR Denarius, 18-35 AD, Lugdunum (Lyons) Mint, “Tribute Penny.” Obv. TI CAESAR DIVI AVG AVGVSTVS, Laureate head right/ Rev. PONTIF MAXIM, Livia [Tiberius’s mother], as Pax, holding long sceptre & olive branch, seated right on throne with ornate legs, her feet resting on low footstool, single line below. RIC I 30, RSC II 16a, Sear RCV I 1763, Giard Lyon, group 4, 150 [Jean Baptist Giard, Le Monnayage de l'atelier de Lyon (Wetteren, 1983)] [see https://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=tribute penny]. 19 mm., 3.82 g. Toned Very Fine. Ex. Tom Cederlind Sale 86 (1989), 305; Ex. JMB collection; Ex. Kirk Davis, Cat # 72, Fall 2018, Lot 80.



Antonia:

Claudius I, billon [Sear & others]/AR [RPC] Tetradrachm, Year 2 [41/42 AD], Alexandria, Egypt Mint. Obv. Laureate head right, ΤΙ ΚΛΑVΔΙ ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒΑ ΓΕΡΜΑΝΙ ΑVΤΟΚΡ around, LΒ [Year 2] under chin / Rev. Draped bust of Antonia [Claudius’s mother] right, ΑΝΤΩΝΙΑ upwards to left, ΣΕΒΑΣΤΗ downwards to right. ); RPC [Roman Provincial Coinage] Vol. I 5117 (1992); RPC I Online at https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/1/5117; Emmett 73.2 [Emmett, Keith, Alexandrian Coins (Lodi, WI, 2001)]; Sear RCV I 1868 (ill.); Sear GIC 492 (ill.) [D. Sear, Greek Imperial Coins and their Values (1982)]; BMC 16 Alexandria 65 at p. 9 [Pool, Reginald Stuart, A Catalog of the Greek Coins in the British Museum, Vol. 16, Alexandria (London, 1892)]; K & G 12.3 [Kampmann, Ursula & Granschow, Thomas, Die Münzen der römischen Münzstätte Alexandria (2008)]; Milne 61 [Milne, J., A Catalogue of the Alexandrian Coins in the Ashmolean Museum (Oxford, 1933, reprint with supplement by Colin M. Kraay); Dattari (Savio) 114 [Savio, A. ed., Catalogo completo della collezione Dattari Numi Augg. Alexandrini (Trieste, 2007)]. 24 mm., 11.25 g.



Julia Titi:

Julia Titi Flavia (daughter of Titus), AE Dupondius 80-81 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. Draped bust right with hair bundled high in front and coiled in chignon high in back, IVLIA IMP T AVG F AVGVSTA/ Rev. Vesta seated left, holding palladium in right hand and long transverse scepter in left arm, VESTA below, S C across fields. RIC II-1 398 at. p. 223 (Titus) (2007 ed.), old RIC II 180 (Titus) (1926 ed.), Sear RCV I 2617 (ill.), BMCRE Titus 257. 26 mm., 12.23 g., 6 h.



Domitia:

Domitian and Domitia, AE 22.7, 93/94 AD, Cilicia, Anazarbus. Obv. Laureate head of Domitian to right, AYTO KAI ΘΕ YI ΔOMITIANOC CE ΓEP around from upper right / Rev. Draped bust of Domitia left, date IB P (= Year 112, = 93/94 AD)* across fields, star behind head, KAICAPEΩN ΔOMETIA CEBACTH around from lower left. RPC [Roman Provincial Coinage] Vol. II 1749; RPC Online at https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/2/1749 ; SNG Levante 1367 [Levante, E., Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum, Switzerland I, Levante-Cilicia (Zurich, 1986)] (see https://cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=40245); BMC Vol. 21 Lycaonia, Anazarbus 9 p. 32 [Hill, G.F., A Catalog of the Greek Coins in the British Museum, Greek Coins of Lycaonia, Isauria, and Cilicia (London, 1900)]. 22.7 mm., 10.09 g. (Purchased from Zuzim Inc, Brooklyn, NY Jan. 2021; exported from Israel 2016 pursuant to IAA [Israel Antiquities Authority] Export License No. 531619, April 17, 2016.) (Double die-match to RPC II 1749, specimen no. 16; see https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/2/1749.)


*Year 1 of era was 19 BCE, date of founding of Anazarbus after visit of Augustus.

Please post your own examples of 1st Century AD Roman Empresses and other royal women. I think that some people focus too exclusively on collecting the Emperors, and don't pay enough attention to all the Empresses and other women portrayed on Roman coins. The reason I like to collect them is probably self-evident, but plenty of men like to as well.

 

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very nice coins Donna..i made a pilgrimage at one time just to collect the ladies of Rome because when i joined here i only had Faustina l and Fausta..now i have several, but not all by no means..here's my sestertius of Lucilla which doesn't get as much attention as she should Lucilla, (148-50-182AD) wife of Lucius Verus and older sister of Comodus, who had her executed 32mm, 27.53gms

 

Cleopatra VII, Ptolemaic Kingdom
AE 40 drachmae
Obv: Diademed & draped bust right
Rev: Eagle standing left on thunderbolt, cornucopiae in left field, M (40) in right field
Mint: Alexandria
Date: 51-30 BC
Ref: Svoronos 1872



Galla Placidia, Western Roman Empire
AE nummus
Obv: D N GALLA PLA-CIDIA P F AVG, female, pearl-diademed bust right, wearing necklace and earrings
Rev: SALVS REI-PVBLICE around cross, T in left field
Mint: Rome
Mintmark: RM
Date: 425-437 AD
Ref: RIC X 2111

 

Some great additions, congrats.


Nero (54 - 68 A.D.)
Billon tetradrachm
O: NEPΩ KΛAY KAIΣ ΣEB ΓEP AY, radiate head right.
R.ΠOΠΠAIA ΣEBAΣTH, draped bust of Poppaea right, date LI right (year 10).
Alexandria mint 63 - 64 A.D.
12.5g
25mm
Milne 216, Curtis 132, RPC I 5275, Geissen 157

Ex. Harlen J. Berk


Claudius (41 - 54 A.D.)
Egypt, Alexandria
Billon Tetradrachm
O: TI KLA[UDI KAIS SEBA GERMANI AUTOKR], laureate head of Claudius right; LB to right.
R: ANTWNIA SEBASTH, draped bust of Antonia right, wearing hair in long plait.
Dated RY 2 (41/2 AD)
23mm
11.62g
Dattari 114; Milne 61-64; Emmett 73.

 

Nice coins, Donna, and the other examples posted here are also very nice.

I have only two coins of the first century AD empresses that have been posted before.

They are:

Livia, dupondius, SALVS AVG VESTA, 21-22 AD, issued under Tiberius. This coin was minted late in her life, and at a time in the reign of Tiberius when he was exhibiting increasing cruelty and ruthlessness, at least according to Robert Graves first book on Emperor Claudius, I Claudius.

RIC 47

13.4 grams

This coin has a little roughness on part of the rim, but it has a nice portrait of Livia.




And the Alexandrian billon tetradrachm of Claudius I, with Messalina as Demeter on the reverse, 43/44 AD.

Köln 61; RPC I 5113; Dattari 119; Milne 60; Emmett 74/1

14.1 grams

 

Exceptional. I will post again my newly arrived Julia Titi
Julia Titi
Dupondius, 80-81
Obv: IVLIA IMP T AVG F AVGVSTA, Bust of Julia Titi, draped, right; hair bundled high in front and wrapped in bun (sometimes small bun) in back / Rev: CERES AVGVST S C, Ceres standing left, holding corn-ears and torch
28 mm 11.55 g
RIC II, Part 1 (second edition) Titus 392; Old RIC II Titus 177

I would have like the reverse in a better shape but this would have meant a price out of my range.

On the same auction I took the chance to add 2 other ladies that were not in my albums.



Helena. Augusta AD 324-330. Antioch
Follis Æ
19 mm, 3,71 g
RIC VII Antioch 82
Date Range: AD 327 - AD 329
Obv: FL HELENA – AVGVSTA, bust of Helena, wearing necklace and mantle, right / Rev: SECVRITAS – REIPVBLICE, Securitas, draped, standing left, raising robe with right hand and lowering branch with left hand. MintMark: -/-//•SMANTS




Aelia Flaccilla AD 383-386. Constantinople
Follis Æ
23 mm, 4,80 g
RIC IX Constantinople 82.2
Date range: AD 383 – AD 388
Obv: AEL FLAC-CILLA AVG, bust of Aelia Flaccilla, with elaborate head-dress, draped, necklace, and mantle / Rev: SALVS REI-PVBLICAE, Emperor, head right, standing facing, arms folded on breast. Mintmark cross over CONSϵ

 

Donna, You've got an excellent representation of 1st century ladies . You're right about them being under represented on coinage of the 1st century, however, this changed during the 3rd century with the Severn dynasty, when coinage & medallions of Julia Domna began to proliferate. At that time the Severn women took on a dominate role by becoming de facto emperors for their underage boys.

 

Lovely additions @DonnaML......Especially like the Tet of Poppea....Must admit though my favourite is still that beautiful Dom and Dom...

I do collect the Roman Empresses but all mine are 2nd century or later...
Here's an infamous 'Non-Roman' lady...
Didda Rani 958-1003- Born in 924'ish to king Simharaja of Lohara. A beautiful woman who even when she was young and could walk was carried everywhere by a female called Valga.The exact reason for this is unclear but records show she was known as Charanhina (footless).
She became one of the most ruthless rulers of Kashmir. Being clever and manipulative she ruled for more than 40 years,firstly as regent for her son, whom some say she killed, and then as sole ruler until her death at the age of 79 in 1003.
Diddarani 980-1003 AD
Copper Kaserah or Punchshi 18mm (5.90gr)
Obverse- Goddess Ardochsho/Lakshmi seated facing in half lotus position, with Nagari legend 'Sri to left 'didda' to right
Reverse- Queen standing facing and sacrificing at altar holding trident, with Nagari legend 'Diva' bottom right.

 

Lovely acquisitions for your collection, @DonnaML!

I agree, and I go out of my way to collect them.

Many 1st century women are hard to come by. Here are some of my Julio-Claudian women.

Livia, under Augustus, 27 BC - AD 13.
Roman Æ diobol, 7.41 g, 24.2 mm, 1 h.
Egypt, Alexandria, 6th series, AD 10-11.
Obv: Bare head right with Nodus hairstyle.
Rev: Date (LM=40) within oak wreath.
Refs: BMC 16.4, 31; SGI 209; Emmett 57; RPC 5054.
Notes: Lindgren sale 38, lot 110.


Livia, wife of Augustus, and Julia, daughter of Augustus.
Roman provincial Æ 17.2 mm, 3.44 g.
Mysia, Pergamon, 10 - 2 BC.
Obv: ΛΙΒΙΑΝ ΗΡΑΝ ΧΑΡΙΝΟΣ, draped bust of Livia as Hera, right.
Rev: ΙΟΥΛΙΑΝ ΑΦΡΟΔΙΤΗΝ, draped bust of Julia as Aphrodite, right.
Refs: RPC I 2359; BMC 15.139, 249; SGI 213; SNG Copenhagen-467; Vagi 370.

I believe this coin depicts Vipsania, the mother of Drusus. I find @Jasper Burns' article convincing (The Celator. 2004 May;18(5):6 and reprinted online).


Tiberius, AD 14-37.
Roman orichalcum Dupondius, 14.32 g, 29.15 mm, 1 h.
Rome, AD 22/23.
Obv: PIETAS, veiled, diademed and draped bust of (Vipsania? as) Pietas, right.
Rev: DRVSVS CAESAR TI AVGVSTI F TR POT ITER around large SC.
Refs: RIC Tiberius 43; BMCRE Tiberius 98; CBN Tiberius 74; Cohen 1; RCV 1741.


Agrippina I, wife of Germanicus, 14 BC - AD 33
Roman Æ Sestertius 27.92 gm, 34.8 mm, 7 h
Rome mint. Struck under Claudius, 42-54 AD
Obv: AGRIPPINA M F GERMANICI CAESARIS, bare-headed and draped bust right.
Rev: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR P IMP P P around large SC.
Refs: RIC I 102 (Claudius); BMCRE 219 (Claudius); Cohen 3.


Antonia, Augusta AD 37 and 41.
Roman orichalcum dupondius, 12.10 gm, 28.3 mm.
Rome, AD 41-50.
Obv: ANTONIA AVGVSTA, bust of Antonia, draped and bare-headed right, hair in long plait.
Rev: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP S C, Claudius, veiled and togate, standing left, holding simpulum in right hand.
Refs: RIC 92; BMC 166; Cohen Antonia 6; RCV 1902; CBN 143; Carson 405.


Claudius, AD 41-54.
Billon Tetradrachm, 10.32 gm, 24.0 mm.
Alexandria, AD 46.
Obv: ΤΙ ΚΛΑΥΔΙ ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒΑ ΓΕΡΜΑΝΙ ΑΥΤΟΚΡ, laureate head of Claudius, r.; LϚ (year 6) before.
Rev: ΜΕΣΣΑΛΙΝΑ ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒΑΣ, Messalina standing l., holding children and ears of corn.
Refs: RCV 1869; SGI 495; RPC 5164; BMCG 75; SNG Cologne 88; Milne 106; Emmett 74.


Claudius, AD 41-54, and Agrippina II, AD 50-59.
Roman provincial Æ 19.6 mm, 4.19 g, 12 h.
Lycaonia, Iconia (as Claudiconium), magistrate M. Annius Afrinus, AD 50-54.
Obv: ΚΛΑΥΔΙΟϹ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ ϹЄΒΑ, laureate head of Claudius, right.
Rev: ϹЄΒΑϹΤΗ ЄΠΙ ΑΦΡЄΙΝΟΥ ΚΛΑΥΔЄΙΚΟΝΙЄѠΝ, bare-headed and draped bust of Agrippina II, right.
Refs: RPC I 3542; von Aulock Lyk. 258–62.


Nero and Claudia Octavia
Roman provincial billon tetradrachm, 11.1 g, 25.0 mm
Egypt, Alexandria, AD 56-57
Obv: ΝΕΡ ΚΛΑΥ ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒ ΓΕΡ ΑΥΤΟ, laureate head of Nero, right
Rev: ΟΚΤΑΟΥΙΑ ΣΕΒΑΣΤΟΥ, bare-headed and draped bust of Octavia, right; L Γ before.
Refs: RPC 5202; BMC 119; SGI 657; Cologne 122; Milne 133; Emmett 127.


Nero and Poppaea Sabina.
Roman provincial billon Tetradrachm; 23.1 mm, 11.55 g.
Egypt, Alexandria, AD 64/65.
Obv: ΝΕΡΩ ΚΛΑV ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒ ΓΕΡ ΑV, radiate head of Nero, right.
Rev: ΠΟΠΠΑΙΑ ΣΕΒΑΣΤΗ, draped bust of Poppaea, right, LIA (year 11) before.
Refs: RCV 2002; SGI 664; RPC 5280; Köln 168; BMCG 124; Milne 223; Curtis 138; Cohen 315, 3; Emmett 128.

Poppaea Sabina and Claudia Neronis, AD 63, daughter of Nero and Poppaea.
Roman provincial Æ 18.7 mm, 5.34 g, 12 h.
Syria, Caesarea Panias, AD 65.
Obv: DIVA POPPAEA, distyle temple of Diva Poppaea, female figure within.
Rev: DIVA CLAVD NER F, round hexastyle temple of Diva Claudia, female figure within.
Refs: RPC I 4846; Hendin 578; RCV 2058; Vagi 746.

 

Here is a Galeria Valeria...nice coins @DonnaML !

 

Great additions, Donna. I also like coins with Roman Empresses and royal women. However, I think I am too concentrated onto Faustina and Julia Domna, that I only have one 1st century AD coin example. Tiberius "tribune penny" with Livia on the reverse. Should look for more in the future.

 

Very nice collection! I'm always curious to see female portraits on coins and to wonder how much power and influence they had!

 

My goodness! Is there anyone from the first century you don't have yet?

 

Yes, only two, but they're both superb!

 

Lovely new examples! Your new Julia Titi reminds me of @ambr0zie new daughter of Titus.
Here are a few of my favorite mothers of the country (or at least coins of them):

Not nearly s cherry as yours but a coin of the only woman I can think of that was married to two Roman emperors!

 

Domitilla. I'm not Jeff Bezos.

 

There are no provincials of her?

 

Nothing in Sear's Greek Imperial Coins and nothing when you search for her at RPC online.

 

A few others I don't have: a REAL Caesonia (provincial only), Drusilla, Drusilla Minor, Livia Julia, Claudia Antonia, Vitellia.

 

Thank you, Donna. I will try to focus more on the first century AD empresses, once I get over my owl kick.

Also, my apologies for the garbled text. I was typing it fairly late at night when my last functioning brain cell had already turned in for the evening. Also, I am increasingly finding it hard to type what I am thinking - bad hand position on the keyboard. I wonder if there is some sort of temporary glue that I can use to keep them in the correct position.