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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Gavin Richardson, post: 3296307, member: 83956&quot;]By the mid third century, the selection of a Roman Emperor was hardly an orderly affair. Twenty-six “barracks emperors” reigned between 235 and 284. Some generals were proclaimed <i>augustus</i> by their troops but did not have that status recognized elsewhere. A number of usurpers appeared in the third and fourth centuries, and the principal difference between a usurper and a new emperor was whether or not the usurper had a bigger army. There was even a complete breakaway Gallic Empire for a while. And after Diocletian, there was an <i>augustus</i> in the west and one in the east, at least a good bit of the time. All these factors explain how lists might vary.</p><p><br /></p><p>The acquisition of a coin for every emperor involves questions such as whether (sometimes rare and very expensive) usurpers are to be included. But honestly, except for collectors with the deepest of pockets, a complete run of emperors is a collecting goal that should be abandoned, or at least modified. Maybe collect as many as is “reasonably affordable” to acquire. For me, I specialize in Constantine coins, but I’m also working on a Twelve Caesars set, and I try to pick up a coin of major figures such as Marcus Aurelius or Hadrian. Whom one considers “major” may vary.</p><p><br /></p><p>Alternatively, subsets can be fun and focusing. Severans. Severan Women. The Adoptive Emperors. The Tetrarchy. Constantine and Family. Etc. And yes, the Twelve Caesars, though a beginning collector with limited resources might run into some challenges here. Good luck finding an Otho for under $300.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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