Augustus lived for 77 years, 41 years Emperor.

You need wonder no further than Agrippa. Agrippa was the man behind the sickly, bloodthirsty little twerp!

 

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I haven't done a recent tally. I guess I have around 600 coins.

 

I have just taken a couple of pics of my newest acquisition, I have always wanted this relatively rare Augustus semis in the the last few years of his reign, Augustus AE Semis, Lyon, circa 10-14 AD, 18mm/5.27gm. RIC 234. Altar of Lyon, nice style portrait.

 

From relatively early in his rule as Augustus. This coin was minted about 17-16 BCE.

 

I like your coin Orfew. I have one like it that I use as a set stopper which is where my Roman Republic collection officially ends.

As I sit back and look at the Roman Republic from times of relative political stability, times of upheavals such as the Punic & Social Wars, and then the horrific Imperatorial Civil Wars, you can see the change in the coinage to match the times.

The coins started with traditional values and rarely changed until politicians started to put their names on them and then their designs, slowly but surely departing from Roman traditions. Eventually, they started putting their faces on them like Kings and each coin became nothing more than a propaganda token for their personal campaigns for power.

Finally, after decades of bloodshed, we get Augustus as undisputed Emperor on this issue showing nothing more than his portrait, his title, and some freaky beast that is his adopted avatar half fish and goat holding onto the world. Some people see him as one of the good Emperors but I see him as 2 Emperors away from Caligula and a bloodthirsty little twerp like Volodya.

 

You nailed it! EXCEPT for the VERY last word...

 

latest addition:



and bought this dupondius a couple of months ago:

 

I've spoken with Volodya a few times and he seems like a nice guy. I'd have never guessed he is a bloodthirsty little twerp

 

@Carthago
I love your example. It is so much nicer than mine. Honestly I was aiming for an at least VF example and I think I achieved that. I have got 3 coins to upgrade to have all 12 Caesars in VF or better.

Thanks for your words on the republic and Augustus. It was an interesting read. I have expanded out side of the 12, I have 4 republican coins, all of Marc Antony. I will be getting coins of Sulla, Pompey, Brutus, and Cassius but I am waiting for the 'right' ones. In the meantime I will continue to look for interesting coins to add to my small collection. As of today I have 30 coins.

Please post more of your collection of republicans when you can. I love looking at them, and they inspire me to improve my collection.

 

Oh my... I just caught that. I meant like Volodya "SAID". Oooff! Though he is a bit bloodthirsty if you're competing against him in an auction for a coin he wants.

 

I know nothing about Roman coinage. That being said, I would like to have one..just to have it...near $100, is that possible and what would you experts recommend?
Thanks in advance.

 

There are a ton of Ancients you can get for under $100, however, I would hesitate to recommend anything without knowing where your interests lie.

 

Is there one called a "camp gate"?

 

Sure. These are relatively common especially on Late Roman Bronzes (LRBs) and even a very nice one should cost you much less than your $100 budget. As an example, this one I was able to buy for $19 including the shipping:

LICINIUS I
AE3 Follis
OBVERSE: IMP LICI-NIVS AVG, laureate bust right, wearing imperial mantle, holding globe, sceptre & mappa
REVERSE: PROVIDEN-TIAE AVGG, campgate with three turrets, no door, delta in right field SMHA in ex.
Struck at Heraclea 318-320 AD
3.0g, 18mm
RIC VII 48

or this one for $7

CONSTANTINE II
AE3 Follis
OBVERSE: CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C, laureate (resembles pearl diadem), draped, cuirassed bust left
REVERSE: PROVIDEN-TIAE CAESS, campgate, 2 turrets, 8 layers, star above, no door. Mintmark: SMKB, dot in left field
Struck at Cyzicus, 329-330 AD
3.7g, 19mm
RIC VII 52

 

Perfect, thanks Bing. I collect mostly Morgans and Walkers, so this will be something quite different.

 

You will have no trouble finding someone willing to sell you a $20 Constantine campgate for $100 but I might suggest a coin of an emperor who you might have heard of or who played some important role in Roman history but is common enough that you might get one for $100. Constantine as the first Christian emperor fills that need if you are interested in Christian history but there are others. Many would be hard to find nice for that price but one that comes to mind is Commodus who was the evil emperor featured in more than one Hollywood movie and whose crazy antics can be researched with little trouble.

 

Or...you can find an Augustus for under $100. I think all of mine were under that price (I would have to check my records).

 

I can see why you "Ancient aficionados" get hooked on these coins. Commodus killed 3 elephants and a girraffe? I'm reading about his life now. Thanks.

 

They are tons of fun. Once I got started I haven't looked back!