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Roman Gold CoinsIn 202 BCE, the Romans defeated Carthage in the Second Punic War, took over the gold mining region of Spain, and minted their first gold coins. But it wasn't until Caesar returned from his victories in the Gallic wars with enough gold to issue 200 coins to each of his soldiers, and pay off the Roman Debt, that the aureus was born. Originally, at about 8 grams, the aureus was comparable to the stater in weight; and one aureus was a month's pay for a legionaire. Coinage also served as the Empire's newspaper, as each issue served notice as to who was in charge, what they looked like, their military accomplishments, conquests, public building projects, and religious affiliations. As the Empire expanded, Rome was able to acquire gold from West Africa, Macedon, the Bosporus region and the Zagrean Mountains. At the same time, Rome was able to export a stable monetary system as well as a network of relatively safe highways and shipping routes that promoted an era of prosperous world trade. By the time of Constantine, after many reforms and debasments, the areus weighed slightly more than half its original weight and was replaced with the Solidus at about 4.5 grams. The solidus (fine gold) retained it's status as the world's trade coin for the next 500 years. |
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Julius Caesar. 40 BC |
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Tiberius (AD 14-37), Gold Quinarius (half aureus denomination) 3.91g, AD 16/17, TIBERIUS DIVI F , laureate head right, rev TR POT XVII, Victory seated right on globe, holding wreath. - early type.. Provenance: Realms. Very Rare Near EF..................................$5,600 |
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Claudius (AD 41-54) Aureus (7,74 g), Rome 44/5. : TI CLAVD CAESAR AVG PM TRP IIII, Laureate head right. Rv.: Praetorian camp gate with guard holding speer and standard IMPER RECEPT. RIC:25, C:43. Perhaps the most famous gold coin of antiquity (After the ides mar). Provenance Peus Nachf. auction. Rare - awesome claudius portrait, well centered, struck Good VF....................sold |
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VESPASIAN (AD 69-79) Av Aureus (7.39g) Rome 69-70 Laureate Head of Vespasian right, IUDEA mourning jewess seared right beneath trophy. Mazzini I pl lxii (this coin) RIC 15. Provenance: Ex Kollack collection. Ex Mazzini collection, Ex Burrage collection. Antiqua. |
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TRAJAN (AD 97-117) Av Aureus (7,11 g.), Rome 112 - 114 : IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI P P, draped bust of Trajan. r./ Facade of Trajan's Forum. FORVM TRAIAN. RIC 257 Provenance: NAC auction. Rare About VF....................$5500 |
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HADRIAN (AD117-138) AV Aureus (7.21g) Rome 134-138 HADRAINUS AUG COS III PP head of Hadrian bare right/ VOTA PUBLICA - Hadrian veiled rt, sacrificing out of patera over alter, in fornt of four personages standing with a bull. Depicts Hadrian's induction into the Eastern Mystery Cult. Calico 1404. Provenance D Vagi.
Extremely Rare and of the highest artisitic and historical merit VF......................$12,500 |
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LICINIUS I (308-324) AV Aureus (5.4g) Siscia mint. 316. LICINEUS PF AUG laureate head of Licinius rt./ IOVI CONSERVATORE Jupiter naked standing lft - holding Victory on globe, eagle with scepter. RIC 425. Calico 62 var. Provenance: D Sear (certificate) Very Rare |
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CONSTANTINE I the Great (307-337) AV Solidus Treveri mint 312-13 (4.33g) CONSTAN-TINUS P F AUG laureate head Constantine rt./ VIRTUS EX-ERCITUS GALL Mars naked carrying spear and trophy P TR. Dep 713 Calico 703-4 . Provenance D Sear (certificate) Very Rare - realistic constantine portrait, with a minor blemish in reverse field .EF .................................sold |
For info, comments, purchase requests contact: Jeff Kahn at Jkahn21@nyc.rr.com
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