The Five "Good" Roman Emperors

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by IdesOfMarch01, Apr 25, 2013.

  1. IdesOfMarch01

    IdesOfMarch01 Well-Known Member

    Just curious -- does anyone focus their collection on the five "good" Roman emperors (Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius)?

    If so, what are your thoughts about finding coins for these emperors? Difficult? Easy? How long have you been collecting them? Do you try to collect all types (AEs, denarii, aurei) or just certain ones?

    This was an interesting period of ancient Rome and I was wondering if there is as much interest in these emperors as in some of the later ones that seem to be popular on this site.
     
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  3. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    I don't focus on the "five", but throughout the years it seems to me that all coins of Nerva are more difficult to find in all conditions. There seems to be plenty of the other four in silver and base metal. I don't buy gold, so I can't comment on those.
     
  4. stevex6

    stevex6 Random Mayhem

    I love these 5 "Good" emperors!!

    Ummm, but I have only been collecting for a bit more than one calendar year, so I am still trying to collect one of each of every Roman Rulers and/or Ruler's-mates => so generally, I only have one of each Ruler (the big, fat bronze-babies are definitely my favourites, but denarii are certainly awesome as well) ...

    Here are my examples of these "5 Good Rulers"

    NervaAR Didrachm
    CAPPADOCIA, Caesaraea-Eusebia
    AD 96-98
    Struck AD 98
    Diameter:
    Weight: 6.64 grams
    Obverse: Laureate head right
    Reverse: Club set on ground; date in legend
    Reference: Metcalf, Caesarea 45; Sydenham, Caesarea 153
    Other: 12h … Choice VF, toned

    Nerva Club a.jpg Nerva Club b.jpg


     
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  5. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    Agree, Nerva was my most expensive purchase but considering its condition and original tone, I dont regret buying it.

    [​IMG]

    In the last year though I see many Nervas, some nice, go for less then $70.

    I can say I tend to like the empresses of this period more. Other then trajan's women, I find the empresses after him plentiful, affordable, have many nice reverse types and so on.

    Once I am done buying some other romans on my wish list I could see myself buying more coins from this period then the others.
     
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  6. stevex6

    stevex6 Random Mayhem

    Trajan Æ Dupondius
    98-117 AD
    Rome mint
    Struck circa AD 103-107
    Diameter: 27 mm
    Weight: 13.39 grams
    Obverse: Radiate bust right, wearing aegis
    Reverse: Trophy with two shields at base
    Reference: RIC II 586; Woytek 196cA
    Other: 6h ... VF, green patina, numerous cleaning scratches on reverse


    Trajan Dupondius a.jpg Trajan Dupondius b.jpg




    Trajan, Bronze dichalkon
    Roman Provincial Egypt, unpublished variety
    98 - 117 A.D.
    Struck: Alexandria mint (29 Aug 113 - 28 Aug 114 A.D.)
    Diameter: 13.7mm
    Weight: 1.23 grams
    Obverse: no legend, laureate head right

    trajan rhino a.jpg trajan rhino b.jpg
     
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  7. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    Since we're showing off coins:

    Nerva AR Denarius
    OBV: IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS II P P, laureate head right
    REV: CONCORDIA EXCERCITVVM, clasped hands holding legionary eagle resting on prow
    Struck at Rome, 96 AD
    2.9g, 18mm
    RIC 3
    Nerva5_OBV.jpg Nerva5_REV.jpg
     
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  8. stevex6

    stevex6 Random Mayhem

    Hadrian silver (AR) tetradrachm
    117-138 AD
    Struck at the mint of Antioch in Syria
    Diameter: 23.1 mm
    Weight: 12.88 grams
    Obverse: Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hadrian to right
    Reverse: Eagle, wings spread, head left, stands upon thigh of bull
    Reference: BMC 304-05
    Other: NICE surfaces nearly EF. SCARCE


    hadrian a.jpg hadrian b.jpg






    Hadrian Æ Dupondius
    Rome mint
    AD 117-138
    Struck AD 125-128
    Diameter: 26 mm
    Weight: 11.24 grams
    Obverse: Radiate bust right, slight drapery
    Reverse: Pegasus right
    Other: 6h ... RIC II 758 … Near VF, greenish-brown patina.

    Hadrian Pegasus a.jpg Hadrian Pegasus b.jpg

     
  9. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    Trajan AR Denarius
    OBV: IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P, laureate bust right
    REV: COS V P P SPQR OPTIMO PRINC, Dacian seated with hands bound behind back on pile of shields, spears & swords, DAC CAP in ex
    2.8g, 18mm
    Minted at Rome, 103-11 AD
    RIC 96
    Trajan6_OBV_opt.jpg Trajan6_REV_opt.jpg
     
  10. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    Hadrian AR Denarius
    OBV: HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, Laureate head right
    REV: AFRICA, Africa reclining left holding scorpion & cornucopiae, basket of grain at feet
    2.76g. 18.5mm
    Minted at Rome, 136 AD
    RIC 299
    Hadrian9 OBV.jpg Hadrian9 REV.jpg
     
  11. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    Antonius Pius AR Didrachm
    OBV: ANTWNEI-NOC CEBACTOC, laureate head right
    REV: YPAT B PAT PATR, Helios, holding globe and sceptre, standing atop Mt. Argaeus; * in exergue View attachment 258043 View attachment 258044
    Minted at Caesaria, Cappadocia, 139 AD
    Syd 301c var
    Antonius Pius 4 OBV.JPG Antonius Pius 4 REV.JPG
     
  12. stevex6

    stevex6 Random Mayhem

    Antoninus Pius Sestertius
    140-144 AD
    Diameter: 33.4 mm
    Weight: 23.4 grams
    Obverse: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS III - Laureate head of Antoninus Pius
    Reverse: TIBERIS - Tiber reclining on rock, hand on ship, holding reed

    pierre c.jpg pierre d.jpg


    Antoninus Pius Sestertius
    144 AD
    Diameter: 30 mm
    Weight: 20.4 grams
    Obverse: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS III - Laureate bust of Antoninus Pius
    Reverse: DES IIII - Salus holding rudder and patera, feeding snake entwined on alter

    pierre a.jpg pierre b.jpg
     
  13. stevex6

    stevex6 Random Mayhem

    Marcus Aurelius AE Drachma
    ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT
    AD 161-180 (struck AD 150/151)
    Diameter: 31.9 mm
    Weight: 15.66 grams
    Obverse: Laureate head of Marcus Aurelius right
    Reverse: Female “griffine” seated right, left paw on wheel, across field regional year ( 14 = AD 150/51 )
    Reference: Dattari 3224, Emmett 1866 (Rarity 3)


    Marcus Griffin a.jpg Marcus Griffin b.jpg



    => and that's the last of my "5 Good Emperors" .....

    Cheers, brothers!!

    :cheers:
     
  14. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    MARCUS AURELIUS Denarius
    OBV: IMP M ANTONINVS AVG, bare head right
    REV: PROV DEOR TR P XVII COS III, Providentia standing left, holding globe and cornucopiae
    2.6g, 17mm
    Minted at Rome, 162-3 AD
    RIC 70
    Marcus_Aurelius1_OBV_opt.jpg Marcus_Aurelius1_REV_opt.jpg
     
  15. stevex6

    stevex6 Random Mayhem

    Gorgeous coins Bing => you absolutely rock, ya ol' bugger!! (awesome job!!)
     
  16. randygeki

    randygeki Coin Collector

    I'm lacking a decent Nerva, but I like collection the 5 emps.
     

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  17. stevex6

    stevex6 Random Mayhem

    atta-boy, Randy-G => we "love" seeing ancient coins!! (bring 'em!!)

    => ummmm, 1500-2000 year old coins, anybody? => yup, super-fricken cool!!! (we rock!!)

    Hey, I still "love" my Canadian coin collection ... but man, the first Canadian coin was minted less than 200 years ago (yup, it puts everything in perspective, eh?) ... I'm now collecting coins that are 2500 years old!! (nice)
     
  18. Ancientnoob

    Ancientnoob Money Changer

    My Roman collection is neither large nor impressive, but when I want a certain ruler, I first try to procure him in denarius or tetradrachm denomination. I ve been chasing a Trajan. I know many people here collect that era primarily but I do not. I do like these emperors, and probably should acquire more.

    I do have something that has satisfied me for quite some time.

    You have got to love the two for one deal. ....



    Some day they will rise from their coffin.
     

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  19. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    Break 'em out! Break'em out!
     
  20. RaceBannon

    RaceBannon Member

    Great topic. As a beginner, this is really the first "set" I'm focusing on other than randomly collecting Roman Imperial coins. This period in Roman history fascinates me, it can really be considered the pinnacle of the Roman Empire in many ways. Each of these five seems to have unique strengths and leadership qualities that helped the Empire fourish in different ways. I'm also finding that Nerva seems to be the biggest challenge. But here are the other four that I've purchased up to this point.

    Here are the first couple in my collection:

    Hadrian; AD 117-138
    Bronze Dupondius; 27mm/ 14 g
    OBV HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS; Radiate Head R, Drapery at shoulder
    REV: COS III SC; Salus Std L feeding serpent from patera
    (RIC 657, Cohen 367cf)

    Trajan; 98-117 AD
    Bronze; AS 27mm/10.4g
    OBV: IMP CAES NERVA TRAIAN AVG GERM PE Laureate Bust Draped R
    REV: TR POT COS III PP Victory walking L holding shield w SQOR inscribed and palm
    (RIC 417, Cohen 628)
     

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  21. stevex6

    stevex6 Random Mayhem

    Ummm, am I the only dude that prefers the big brass babies??? (hey, don't get me wrong I love a good denarius, but there is just something about holding a big, fat, heavy, comfy brass sestertius .... am I right, eh?)


    ... arrgghh, is it me? (good => more for me!!)

    ;)
     
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