Interesting Article about Decius Devi Series

Discussion in 'World Coins' started by Bart9349, Sep 12, 2013.

  1. Bart9349

    Bart9349 Junior Member

    As I'm developing my thoughts about this series, here's the article:

    http://www.ngccoin.com//news/viewar...ES1&spJobID=87840072&spReportId=ODc4NDAwNzIS1

    Any thoughts why these were the emperors chosen for the series (leaving out several notable emperors such as Tiberius and Claudius, but inclusive of all the adoptive emperors-including psychopath Commodus-except Lucius Verus)?

    guy
     
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  3. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    All of the honored rulers were consecrated to some degree immediately following their death. Commodus made the list when Septimius Severus adopted himself into the family of Marcus Aurelius making Commodus sort of a (dead) brother. Most had coins issued previously (Caracalla did but was left off, I don't recall Severus Alexander).
     
  4. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    I always read those articles, checked this morning and it wasnt new, now it is...go figure.

    I found it to be one of the more interesting articles as posted on NGC. I never paid too much into that series of coinage even though they are VERY expensive & popular. I have never found a reason to collect them as a set then say...hadrians travel series, which I would like to do later in life.

    As for the omission of some of the emperors, I would think Tiberius is a no brainer since i've read the people were glad to see him gone so defied or not he wasnt popular.

    Claudius I wonder about too.
     
  5. Cucumbor

    Cucumbor Well-Known Member

    Ardatirion, Mat and randygeki like this.
  6. Cucumbor

    Cucumbor Well-Known Member

    @Bart (but others can read too...)

    Here are some thoughts that come to mind after Guy has sent me a PM asking for some

    About why some emperors have been honoured and not others, I think the first answer is that we should restrain from looking at that period with todays eyes, thinking and comprehension of History. We look at Commodus as a monster today, but a wise emperor as Septimius Severus was claimed they were of the same blood to settle his authority. And when you read Suetonius, you wouldn't want Tiberius or Claudius at your table, would you ?

    Also the series was an opportunity to re-use older coinage. A big re-strike, as it's been seen in the past with Trajan for instance. Hey, Trajan/Trajan Decius ! Could it be that the guy would want to do the same as his glorious predecessor ?

    Since the antoninianus was worth two denarii but contained only 1.5 time more silver than the denarius, since the antoninianus featured a radiate portrait, since the denarius (and it's laureate portrait) was not in use anymore, since the radiate crown is either a mark of the double and a sign of deification, it seems consistent to minting coins featuring emperors of the ancient times radiate rather than laureate, hence deified on the occasion of a massive re-strike of antoniniani (ha, inflation !!!). Don't forget that the time was to celebrations and commemorations. The Millenium of Rome and it's festivities took place only a few years before. Every troubled times (see nowadays for instance) lead rulers to emphasize the "glorious past" and Trajan Decius reign was troubled, and very much so.

    Best
    Q

    PS : Ah ! and please, take a look at my Divi series collection if you like...it's here : http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=216
     
    Valentinian, Bart9349 and Mat like this.
  7. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    Great collection! But everything of yours is top notch.
     
  8. Bart9349

    Bart9349 Junior Member

    Thanks, everyone for your thoughtful posts. (Great looking coins, Cucumbor :cool:)

    I am sure the ranking of "the best Emperors" changed over the years in Ancient Roman times (much as the ranking of "the best Presidents" has over the years here in America).

    I guess we shouldn't be surprised that Suetonius' writings still influenced the reputation of the emperors more than a century after his critique. The emperors chosen for the divi series might be influenced Suetonius. (Some of the emperors chosen for the Divi Emperors would be compatible with Suetonus being called a "Flavian apologist.")

    David Vagi's book suggests that these coins were minted in Rome. This might also impact on the choice of Divi Emperors. Surprising to many, Nero remained popular in the East (despite being vilified in the West) long after his death. In fact, decades after his death, there were many "Nero sightings" (somewhat akin to modern-day "Elvis sightings"). In fact, there were at least three significant Nero imposters in the East after his death. In Rome, where the coins were minted, Nero had been declared an enemy of the state, and thus, did not merit inclusion.

    Nero - Tabloid Tyrant Nero

    Thanks, again,

    guy
     
  9. Bart9349

    Bart9349 Junior Member

    An interesting aside, but relevant to the above....

    In AD 107 (about a century and a half before the Decius divi series), Trajan issued a series of "restored" AV Aurei that honored the legacy of great predecessors.

    These coins included Julius Caesar, Augustus, Tiberius, Claudius, Galba, Vespasian, and Nerva.

    It's interesting to see which emperors he (and, presumably, his contemporaries) deemed worthy of respect.

    Note that Trajan included Tiberius, Claudius, and Galba among the most respectable emperors.


    guy
     
  10. Bart9349

    Bart9349 Junior Member

    Just an addendum:

    It's surprising that Decius didn't include Julius Caesar with the "divi series." He certainly would have been worthy of the "divi series."

    Also, I forgot to include Titus in Trajan's "restored coins."

    guy
     
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