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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Orfew, post: 2858772, member: 74968&quot;]<b>Augustus</b></p><p><br /></p><p>Although Augustus was the second Caesar covered by Suetonius, he really was the first ruler of the new Roman empire. Originally known by the name Octavian, he became Augustus as the new ruler of the empire. </p><p><br /></p><p>The coin below is special to me for two reasons. First, I love the anepigraphic (no legend) obverse. I feel this gives an elegant look to the portrait and make the portrait the focus of the coin. Many emperors were very particular as to how their images appeared on their coins and Augustus was no exception. It is difficult to tell when a coin of Augustus was issued by the portrait alone because his portraits did not age very much from his beginnings as emperor until his death.</p><p><br /></p><p>Another reason I like this coin is the reverse. It depicts a Capricorn with globe and rudder. These devices appear on other coins of Augustus, and other emperors used them as well. Augustus would be associated with the image of the Capricorn for much of his rule.</p><p><br /></p><p>Although this is not a perfect coin because of its imperfect flan shape, the combination of a great portrait and the Capricorn meant I had to have it.</p><p>Augustus (27 BC-AD 14), Denarius, Uncertain Spanish mint (Colonia Patricia?), 17-16 BC, (19 mm 3.73 g).</p><p>Obv: Bare head right</p><p>Rev: Augustus, Capricorn right, holding globe attached to rudder between front hooves; cornucopia above its back.</p><p>RIC I 126; RSC 21 SRCV (2000) 1592.</p><p>Purchased October 28, 2016 from vcoins store London Coin Galleries Ltd.</p><p>Paid 325.00 USD</p><p>[ATTACH=full]680197[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Tiberius</b></p><p><br /></p><p>Tiberius was the third of &quot;The Twelve Caesars&quot; as described in the Lives of the Caesars by Suetonius. He is well known as the emperor who would groom the next emperor, Gaius (more commonly known as Caligula).The denarii of Tiberius are sometimes referred to as boring by some collectors. One reason is that there were only a few types of denarii issued. By far the most common is the one that many refer to as &quot;The Tribute Penny&quot; of the bible.It must be said however that there are minor variations in the design of the reverse on the Tribute Penny and there are collectors who try to get as many variations as possible. The denarius below is much less common.</p><p><br /></p><p>The reverse is very similar to a reverse on a coin of Augustus. This coin features Augustus on the obverse and Tiberius on the reverse in a quadriga. These denarii of Tiberius do appear from time to time, but when they do there is quite a bit of competition for them as they represent an alternative denarius to the Tribute Penny.</p><p>Tiberius, 14-37 Denarius Lugdunum circa 15-16, AR (18.55 mm., 3.85 g).</p><p>Obv: TI CAESAR DIVI - AVG F AVGVSTVS Laureate head r.</p><p>Rev: TR POT XVII IMP VII Tiberius holding branch and eagle-tipped scepter in triumphal quadriga r.</p><p>RIC 4. C 48. SRCV I (2000) 1762</p><p>Ex: Naville Numismatics Auction #25 Lot #407 September 25, 2016</p><p>Paid 353.00</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]680198[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Nero</b></p><p>I knew when I started building my 12 Caesars collection that I would eventually want a pre-reform denarius of Nero. The problem is that these are quite scarce in any condition. Also, there is much competition for them the they do appear for sale. Denarii like this one were minted before Nero decided to debase the silver coinage. Pre-reform denarii like this one are at near 100% fineness. This dropped considerably after the debasement. The earlier denarii are also heavier than the post reform coinage.One reason Nero debased the coins was to make up for a shortfall in available cash because of the massive spending he committed to building projects. </p><p><br /></p><p>This is not a perfect coin, but I like several things about it. First, I like the younger more slender portrait. Contrast this with the &quot;Fat tyrant&quot; portrait of the other Nero denarius I have posted before. I also like that the legends are intact. True, they are worn, but they are still readable.</p><p><br /></p><p>Nero.&nbsp; A.D. 61. AR denarius</p><p>(18.40 mm, 3.37 g, 7 h).</p><p>Lugdunum (Lyon) mint.</p><p>Obv: NERO CAESAR AVG IMP, bare head right</p><p>Rev: PONTIF MAX TR P VIII COS IIII P P, EX S C across field, Roma standing right, holding and inscribing shield supported on knee, foot on helmet; dagger and bow at feet to right.</p><p>RIC 34 (R3); RSC 231. aVF, toned. Rare. <i>From the D. Thomas Collection;</i></p><p><i>&nbsp;Ex Hohn Leipziger Munzhandlung. Auction 85 June 2-4 2016 Lot 1832</i></p><p>Ex: Agora Auctons sale 68 Lot 195 August 15 2017.</p><p>Paid 271.05 USD</p><p>[ATTACH=full]680194[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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