DOCSLIB.ORG

The Roman Mint of London: a Collector's Perspective

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Roman Mint of London: a Collector's Perspective THE ROMAN MINT OF LONDON: A COLLECTOR’S PERSPECTIVE Paul DiMarzio In late 286 or early 287, the rebel Roman military commander Carausius took control of the province of Britain and opened several mints, including one at London, which produced a large coinage portraying him on par with the legitimate Augusti, Diocletian and Maximian. Coin of Carausius issued in the name of Maximian from his London mint (286/7 – 293)1 Before ten years had passed, Carausius had been dispatched by his chief minister Allectus, Diocletian had established Tetrarchic rule over the empire, and the Caesar responsible for the western provinces of Gaul and Britain, Constantius, was fi nalizing preparations for what would be his successful restoration of the island province to the empire. This paper focuses on the coinage of the London mint once restored to imperial authority in 297 through to its closing in 325. Although a span of less than thirty years might seem inconsequential in the long per- spective of Roman history, the events of this period marked a signifi cant shift in Roman life along several fronts. Politically, the Tetrarchic system established by Diocletian was intended to establish an equal sharing of power across the empire, complete with term limits and merit-based succession. By 325, the empire had reverted to single Augustan rule with hereditary succession. 1 Unless otherwise noted, all coins illustrated in this paper are from the author’s personal collection; illustrations are not to scale and credit is given for the original sources of the images. 9 Paul DiMarzio Socially, at the start of this period the traditional Roman gods were worshipped and featured on the coinage, while Christians were persecuted. By 325, Christianity had become the preferred religion of the Empire and the Roman gods had disappeared from the coinage. The coinage of the Empire also underwent dramatic change. The everyday base metal AE coinage of 297 was struck at a standard weight of 1/32 lb (10 g).2 By 325, infl ation and debasement had radically reduced the weight of the follis to 1/96 lb (3–1/3 g). I subtitle this paper ‘A Collector’s Perspective’ because it is not my intent to break any new scholarly ground on the topic, but rather to intermix an historical narrative – based on others’ work to date – with my own market insights into the coinage derived from more than ten years of focused collecting within this particular fi eld. I have divided this paper into two main narratives. First, I will review the events of the years 296 through 325, taking notice of how the coinage of London refl ects these events, promoting specifi c political agendas, and shaping public opinion. The second part summarizes my collecting observations on the output of the London mint by type, mintmark, issuer, bust and title, and highlights some of the challenges to cataloguing and collecting the series. 296–306: A healthy tetrarchy returns Britain to the empire Under the Tetrarchic system established by Diocletian in 293, the Roman Empire was divided into four administrative regions. Diocletian and Maximian, as Augusti, ruled the east and west respectively. As Ceasars, Galerius ruled a portion of the eastern provinces and Constantius I ruled the far western territories. As the following territorial map shows, the breakaway province of Britain was part of Constantius’ domain, so the task fell to him to reclaim it. 2 Although we don’t know defi nitively what this coin was called, the term ‘follis’ (referring to the name of the bag typically used to hold these coins) is generally accepted. 10 The Roman mint of London: a collector’s perspective The Roman world under the First Tetrarchy3 Although there was some degree of seniority in the Tetrarchic system (Diocletian was the senior Augustus and Constantius the senior Caesar), great pains were taken to portray the rulers publicly as full equals. As a result, they are virtually indistinguishable in offi cial portraits and sculptures. 3 Tetrarchic map by Coppermine Photo Gallery; reproduced here under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (Wikimedia Commons). 11 Paul DiMarzio The Tetrarchs are shown with similar features and dress in this sculpture4 The practice was to strike coins in the names of all four Tetrarchs regardless of who controlled the territory of the issuing mint. We will see how these coinage rules were bent and, ultimately, shattered as the system broke down and the players grappled for power. My collecting interests begin a year before the retaking of Britain, in 296, as Constantius was preparing his invasion. The group of unmarked GENIO POPVLI ROMANI (‘to the guardian spirit of the Roman people’)5 folles of Lyon is gener- ally considered as Constantius’ ‘invasion coinage’, probably intended to pay the invading military force, as these pieces are more typically found in Britain than on the mainland. Once the conquest was complete, Constantius used the captured London mint to issue the fi rst offi cial coinage of Britain, continuing the GENIO series, but using the mintmark LON for the fi rst and, as it would turn out, only time. The stylistic link between the unmarked folles of Lyon and the LON folles of London makes it apparent that Lyon workmen were involved in the task of reopening the London mint under Imperial control. There followed a few years break. Then, around the turn of the century London began issuing coins of the GENIO series in quantity, this time with no mintmark. This would be the only type to be produced in London until the year 305. 4 Image of the four tetrarchs on the Basilica of Saint Mark, Venice, by Nino Barbieri. Used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (Wikipedia). 5 All translations of Latin inscriptions are approximate and based on Google search results. 12 The Roman mint of London: a collector’s perspective GENIO POPVLI ROMANI folles of Diocletian:6 unmarked issue of Lyon, 296;7 LON issue of London, 297;8 unmarked issue of London, 300-59 Both the invasion coinage of Lyon and the unmarked folles through to 305 are quite collectible. The LON coinage of 297 is much more diffi cult to fi nd due to its popularity. All are relatively large, heavy coins, struck at the 1/32 lb (10 g) standard of Diocletian’s coinage reform of 294. On 1 May 305, Diocletian and Maximian abdicated their positions following the celebration of their Vicennalia (20th anniversary of joint rule), as seems to have been envisaged when the Tetrarchic system was established. This event was commemorated by the PROVIDENTIA DEORVM QVIESS AVGG (‘the restful peace of the Emperors by the providence of the gods’) series – a very popular group of coins from all mints. Abdication issues of Maximian10 and Diocletian,11 1May 305 – Early 307 As the two Augusti stepped down, the Caesars Constantius and Galerius were pro- moted to the rank of Augustus, and Severus II and Maximinus Daia were appointed as new Caesars to complete the 2nd Tetrarchy. Power was transferred in an orderly fashion and the GENIO coinage was modifi ed to recognize the new Tetrarchic order. 6 Citations from Roman Imperial Coinage (RIC) volumes VI and VII are for London except as noted. 7 VI.14a for Lyon (Herakles Numismatics) 8 VI.1a (Spink) 9 VI.10 (Jean Elsen & ses Fils) 10 VI.77b (Freeman & Sear) 11 VI.77a (Classical Numismatic Group) 13 Paul DiMarzio The fi rst issue of the 2nd Tetrarchy, 1 May 305 – Early 307: Constantius I as Augustus,12 Severus II as Caesar,13 Galerius as Augustus,14 and Maximinus II as Caesar15 However, a series of events occurred in the years 305–6 that would, eventually, destroy the system that Diocletian had established just over ten years earlier. The transfer of power would never again be so orderly. It was common practice at this time in history for the families of the ruling Tetrarchs to attach themselves to the courts of the other rulers, in part to enhance their education but also to ensure good behavior all round. Constantius’ son, Constantine, had served Diocletian and, later, Galerius, at the court of Nicomedia. At the time that the Second Tetrarchy was formed or shortly thereafter, Constantius engaged in battle with the Picts in northern Britain. In deteriorating health and perhaps sensing an implicit danger to his son at the transfer of power, Constantius petitioned Galerius to allow Constantine to join him. The contemporary historian Lactantius relates that Constantine fl ed Nicomedia immediately following the unexpected promotion of Maximinus and Severus, killing the horses at each public staging point, fearful that Galerius and/or the new Caesars would have him pursued and murdered.16 But, since Lactantius writes from a later, par- tisan Christian viewpoint, this may be an exaggerated version. In any case, Constantine was able safely to manoeuvre his way through the territories of Galerius and Severus, and join his father in the west. Constantius grew increasingly ill and, on 25 July 306, he died at the Roman fort of Eboracum in modern-day York. Before his passing, Constantius declared that his son should succeed him and the troops of Eboracum hailed Constantine as Augustus. (The contemporary account of Eusebius, Constantine’s hagiographer, notes that Constan- tine had been chosen ‘long before them by the Supreme Ruler, God Himself’.)17 When Galerius (now the senior Augustus) received Constantine’s petition to fi ll his father’s position, he felt it unwise to reject the request outright and compromised by granting Constantine the position of Caesar. Severus was elevated to Augustus, thus forming the 3rd Tetrarchy.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Nil Sorsky: the Authentic Writings Early 18Th Century Miniature of Nil Sorsky and His Skete (State Historical Museum Moscow, Uvarov Collection, No
    CISTER C IAN STUDIES SERIES : N UMBER T WO HUNDRED T WENTY -ONE David M. Goldfrank Nil Sorsky: The Authentic Writings Early 18th century miniature of Nil Sorsky and his skete (State Historical Museum Moscow, Uvarov Collection, No. 107. B 1?). CISTER C IAN STUDIES SERIES : N UMBER T WO H UNDRED TWENTY -ONE Nil Sorsky: The Authentic Writings translated, edited, and introduced by David M. Goldfrank Cistercian Publications Kalamazoo, Michigan © Translation and Introduction, David M. Goldfrank, 2008 The work of Cistercian Publications is made possible in part by support from Western Michigan University to The Institute of Cistercian Studies Nil Sorsky, 1433/1434-1508 Library of Congress Cataloguing-in-Publication Data Nil, Sorskii, Saint, ca. 1433–1508. [Works. English. 2008] Nil Sorsky : the authentic writings / translated, edited, and introduced by David M. Goldfrank. p. cm.—(Cistercian studies series ; no. 221) Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and indexes. ISBN 978-0-87907-321-3 (pbk.) 1. Spiritual life—Russkaia pravoslavnaia tserkov‚. 2. Monasticism and religious orders, Orthodox Eastern—Russia—Rules. 3. Nil, Sorskii, Saint, ca. 1433–1508—Correspondence. I. Goldfrank, David M. II. Title. III. Title: Authentic writings. BX597.N52A2 2008 248.4'819—dc22 2008008410 Printed in the United States of America ∆ Estivn ejn hJmi'n nohto;~ povlemo~ tou' aijsqhtou' calepwvtero~. ¿st; mysla rat;, vnas= samäx, h[v;stv÷nyã l[täi¡wi. — Philotheus the Sinaite — Within our very selves is a war of the mind fiercer than of the senses. Fk 2: 274; Eparkh. 344: 343v Table of Contents Author’s Preface xi Table of Bibliographic Abbreviations xvii Transliteration from Cyrillic Letters xx Technical Abbreviations in the Footnotes xxi Part I: Toward a Study of Nil Sorsky I.
    [Show full text]
  • Light in the Dark Places: Or, Memorial of Christian Life in the Middle Ages
    Light in the Dark Places: or, Memorial of Christian Life in the Middle Ages. Author(s): Neander, Augustus (1789-1850) Publisher: Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library Description: Augustus Neander began his religious studies in speculative theory, but his changing interests led him to the study of church history. In his book, Light in the Dark Places, Neander©s talent as a writer and a historian is tremendously evident; collected within this volume is an abundance of re- markable information about church history. Neander shares information about the lives of Christian individuals and com- munities during times of darkness and of triumph. Neander also reveals unknown facts about early missionaries and martyrs of the church. This historical analysis will provide today©s Christians with insight into the church©s elaborate past, so that they may learn from previous mistakes and embrace habits of righteousness. Emmalon Davis CCEL Staff Writer i Contents Title Page 1 Prefatory Material 2 Preface to the American Edition. 2 Preface. 3 Contents. 4 Part I. Operations of Christianity During and After the Confusion Produced by the 6 Irruption of the Barbarians. Introduction 7 The North African Church Under the Vandals. 8 Everinus in Germany. 19 Labours of Pious Men in France. 26 Germanus of Auxerre (Antistodorum). 27 Lupus of Troyes. 29 Cæsarius of Arles. 30 Epiphanius of Pavia. 49 Eligius, Bishop of Noyon. 50 The Abbots Euroul and Loumon. 58 Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome. 59 Christianity in Poverty and Lowliness, and on the Sick Bed. 72 Part II. Memoirs from the History of Missions in the Middle Ages.
    [Show full text]
  • The Legend of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus in Syriac and Arab Sources – a Comparative Study
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Analecta Cracoviensia ORIENTALIA CHRISTIANA CRACOVIENSIA 2 (2010) Bartłomiej Grysa Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań The Legend of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus in Syriac and Arab sources – a comparative study The Legend of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus, in the Syriac tradition known as Aḥē Dmīḥē or Ṭalyē d-Efesōs, in Arabic as Ahl al-Kahf or Aṣḥāb al-Kahf, is one of many examples of borrowings from the Christian tradition made by the Muslim one and above all by the Koran. In the region where Islam evolved in the beginning, there was a population professing Judaism and Christianity. Judaism was professed by ca. 1 per cent of the population of the Arabian Peninsula. Christianity, for its part, was professed by ca. 10 per cent.1 Thus Mohammed had an easy access to the monotheistic religious ideas that existed on the Arabian Peninsula. The Muslim tradition maintains that one of the first questions Jews asked Muhammad, when he came to Medina, concerned exactly the Seven Sleepers.2 Finding the influence of the Jewish tradition on the emergence of a Muslim version of the legend, however, seems unlikely. The text of Ibn ‘Abbās, a cousin of Mohammed, one of the first exegetes of the Koran, sheds some light on it. Ibn ‘Abbās reported that one of the Brothers descended to Ephesus after their awakening and after sleeping more than 300 years he pointed to the house where he claimed to live, thus proving his Ephesian origin to a local ruler.
    [Show full text]
  • Euchology: a Manual of Prayers of the Holy Ortho- Dox Church
    Euchology: A Manual of Prayers of the Holy Ortho- dox Church Author(s): Shann, G. V. Publisher: CCEL i Contents Euchology 1 Initial Stuff 1 PREFACE 2 ii This PDF file is from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library, www.ccel.org. The mission of the CCEL is to make classic Christian books available to the world. • This book is available in PDF, HTML, and other formats. See http://www.ccel.org/ccel/shann/euchology.html. • Discuss this book online at http://www.ccel.org/node/3480. The CCEL makes CDs of classic Christian literature available around the world through the Web and through CDs. We have distributed thousands of such CDs free in developing countries. If you are in a developing country and would like to receive a free CD, please send a request by email to [email protected]. The Christian Classics Ethereal Library is a self supporting non-profit organization at Calvin College. If you wish to give of your time or money to support the CCEL, please visit http://www.ccel.org/give. This PDF file is copyrighted by the Christian Classics Ethereal Library. It may be freely copied for non-commercial purposes as long as it is not modified. All other rights are re- served. Written permission is required for commercial use. iii Euchology InitialEuchology Stuff EUCHOLOGY A MANUAL OF PRAYERS OF THE HOLY ORTHODOX CHURCH DONE INTO ENGLISH By G. V. SHANN. AMS PRESS Reprinted from the edition of 1891, Kidderminster First AMS EDITION published 1969 Manufactured in the United States of America Library of Congress Catalogue Card Number: 75-82260 AMS PRESS INC TO THE VERY REVEREND, THE ARCHPRIEST EUGENE SMIRNOFF, CHAPLAIN TO THE IMPERIAL RUSSIAN EMBASSY IN LONDON, THIS EUCHOLOGY IS GRATEFULLY INSCRIBED BY THE TRANSLATOR.
    [Show full text]
  • February 5, 2009 Email AMBO
    Ambo ST. THEODOSIUS ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL 733 Starkweather Ave. FEBRUARY 8, 2009 Cleveland, Ohio 44113 34th. Sunday after Pentecost Mailing: Publican and Pharisee 733 Starkweather Avenue Greatmartyr Theodore Cleveland, Ohio 44113 Stratelates Prophet Zechariah T 216 741.1310 F 216 623 1092 Greatmartyr Theodore Stratelates "the General" www.sttheodosius.org • Archpriest John Zdinak Dean • Dn. Daniel Boerio • Subdeacon Theodore Lentz Sacristan • Reader Julius Kovach Ecclesiarch & Choirmaster Divine Services Eve Sundays & Feast Days 5:00 PM Confessions 6:00 PM Great Vespers Sundays and Feast Days 8:40 AM 3rd and 6th Hour 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy Fr. John Office Hours Tuesday & Wednesday 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM *Articles for publication in the AMBO should be sub- mitted to: [email protected] by Wednesday of each week before noon. St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral Ambo - Page 1 The Great Martyr Theodore Stratelates came from the city of Euchaita in Asia Minor. He was endowed with many talents, and was handsome in appearance. For his charity God enlightened him with the knowledge of Christian truth. The bravery of the saintly soldier was revealed after he, with the help of God, killed a giant serpent living on a precipice in the outskirts of Euchaita. The serpent had devoured many people and animals, terroriz- ing the countryside. St Theodore armed himself with a sword and vanquished it, glorify- ing the name of Christ among the people. For his bravery St Theodore was appointed military commander [stratelatos] in the city of Heraclea, where he combined his military service with preaching the Gospel among the pagans subject to him.
    [Show full text]
  • Votive Altar of Lucius Petronius Timachus
    SOFIJA PETKOVI], Institute of Archaeology, Belgrade BOJANA ILIJI], Museum of Knja`evac, Knja`evac VOTIVE ALTAR OF LUCIUS PETRONIUS TIMACHUS UDC: 904:726.82"652"(497.11) ; 904:725.182.025.3"652"(497.11) e-mail: [email protected] DOI: 10.2298/STA1363053P Received: November 11, 2012 Original research article Accepted: April 23, 2013 Abstract. – During the systematic archaeological excavations in the fortress of Timacum Minus in Ravna near Knja`evac in 1991, a votive altar of Jupiter Paternus, dedicated by Lucius Petronius Timachus, a veteran of the legion VII Claudia, was discovered. The name (cognomen) Timachus was noted for the first time on this monument. It was developed from the ethnonime Timachi, or the hydronime Timachus, known from the historical resources of the Roman period. Timacum Maius and Timacum Minus, the fortifications and settlements in Upper Moesia, were named after the river Timachus (modern Timok), as was, probably, the whole region of the Basin of Timok. The votive altar of Jupiter Paternus was in secondary use as a construction material in the reconstruction of the horreum in the last phase of life in Timacim Minus, in the first half of 5th century A.D. The analysis of the archaeological context of the votive and funeral monuments from Ravna, used as spolia, have distinguished the three periods of their use from the last third of the 3rd century to the middle of the 5th century A.D. Key words. – Timacum Minus, Ravna, Eastern Serbia, votive altar, Iuppiter Paternus, Timachus, legio VII Claudia, Moesia Superior, Timok.
    [Show full text]
  • The American Orthodox Church Liturgical Calendar Year 2018 - 2019 August
    The American Orthodox Church Liturgical Calendar Year 2018 - 2019 August 1. Procession of the Precious and Life-giving Cross 17. Holy Hieromartyr Myron The Seven Maccabee Children, Their Mother Solomone and St Alypios the Iconographer Their Teacher Eleazar St Rioch 18. Holy Martyrs Floros and Lauros St Kenneth St Daga, Hierarch St Alphonsus Ligouri Ss Shmoonu and her sons 19. Holy Great Martyr Andrew the Commander and the 2593 Martyrs with Him 2. Translation of the Relics of the Protomartyr and Archdeacon St St John Eudes Stephen from Jerusalem to Constantinople St eusibius of Vercelli 20. Holy Prophet Samuel St Oswin, King and Martyr 3. The Righteous Fathers Isaac, Dalmatos and Faustos, Abbots in St Bernard, Abbot Constantinople St Anthony the Roman, Wonderworker in Novgorod 21. Holy Apostle Thaddeus St Trea, Recluse Holy Martyr Vassa and Her Three Sons St Pius X, Bishop of Rome 4. The Seven Holy Youths of Ephesus St Lugid 22. Synaxis of the Mother of God of Prusa St John Vianney Holy Martyr Agathonicos and His Companions 5. Forefeast of the Transfiguration 23. Leave-taking of the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God Holy Martyr Evsignios St Eogan, First Bishop of Ardstrawst Holy Martyr Oswald St Lupos the Slave St Rose of Lima 6. HOLY TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR St Isaac the Syrian JESUS CHRIST 24. Holy Hieromartyr Eutyches, Disciple of the Apostle St John 7. Holy Hieromartyr Dometios the Persian St Ychard St Sixtus II, Bishop of Rome St Cajetan 25. Translation of the Relics of St Bartholomew Holy Apostle Titus, First Bishop 8.
    [Show full text]
  • 10Th Sunday After Pentecost the Righteous Fathers Isaacius, Dalmatus and Faustus
    10th Sunday After Pentecost Translation of the Icon Not-made-by-hands & Afterfeast of Dormition 16 / 29 August Resurrection Tropar, Tone 1: When the stone had been sealed by the Jews; / while the soldiers were guarding Thy Most Pure Body; / Thou didst rise on the third day, O Saviour, / granting life to the world. / The Powers of Heaven therefore cried to Thee O Giver of Life: / glory to Thy Resurrection O Christ! / Glory to Thy Kingdom; / Glory to Thy Dispensation, O Thou who lovest mankind. Troparion of the holy Icon tone 2: We worship Thine immaculate image, O Good One,/ and ask the forgiveness of our sins, O Christ our God;/ for of Thine own will Thou wast pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh/ to deliver from slavery to the enemy those whom Thou hadst created./ Therefore we thankfully cry to Thee:/ Thou hast filled all things with joy, O our Saviour, by coming to save the world. Troparion of the Feast tone 1: In giving birth thou didst keep thy virginity,/ and in thy dormition thou didst not forsake the world, O Mother of God./ Thou didst pass on to life, since thou art the Mother of Life,/ and by thine intercessions thou redeemest our souls from death. Resurrection Kondak, Tone 1: As God, Thou didst rise from the tomb in glory, / Raising the world with Thyself. / Human nature praises Thee as God, for death has vanished. / Adam exults O Master, Eve rejoices, for she is freed from bondage, and cries to Thee; / Thou art the Giver of Resurrection to all, O Christ.
    [Show full text]
  • THE GROANS of the Britons IOWARD the BRITISH Civirares PERIOD, CIRCA 406-455 C.E
    THE GROANS OF THE BRIToNs IOWARD THE BRITISH CivirArEs PERIOD, CIRCA 406-455 C.E. I<CVIO IVlfmn1C)’ IsI;allnorfcillow t1icvuitings c idivcoclsoJinyou’n cotnitiv, vhich (ifrhcrccvcrw’crccur’of thcni) hctvc Iccii consumcd by thcrircs ofthe encmv, orhvc cconijicuucd my cxilcd coun— ttvmcn into distant kmds..i Since the time of Gilcias, the first great chronicler of the British, the problem of reliable sources, or any sources, has been lamented. Over the centuries, myth, pseudo-history, and educated guesswork have rushed in to fill the void.2 The last thirty years have seen a revival of interest in the fifth and sixth centuries, and a great deal of work has been clone on the historical and archaeological records. Ironically, the increased focus on the period has cast a doubt on almost every important assumption that has been macic about early Britain. Ian Wood has noted that between the usurpation of Constantine III in 407 and the death of the Roman consul Aetius in 455 there are a handful of dateable events associated with the British Isles.3 Yet even these are the subject of intense debate. Primary narrative sources, especially the chronicles, have come under fire. Many have been abandoned altogether, especially by archaeologists and histori ans favoring an archaeological approach to the period. With more questions than answers, historians are presented with tnatiy challenges, not the least of which is ‘hat to call this period and over what period of time that identification might be valid. “The End of Roman Britain,” “Post Roman Britain,” “Dark Age Britain,” and “Arthur’s Britain” have been used in the past.
    [Show full text]
  • Roman Coins and Their Values, David R. Sear, the Millenium
    Roman Coins and their Values , David R. Sear, The Millenium Edition Volume I, The Republic and The Twelve Caesars. 280 BC-AD 96 Glossary ........................................................................ ............ Page 8 Roman Imperial Coinage, 27 BC-AD 491 The Twelve Caesars Legend Abbreviations ................................................... ................... 15 1. The Julio-Claudian Dynasty .........................27 BC-AD 68 . Page 311 Denominations of Roman Coinage .............................. ................... 17 Augustus ...........................................................27 BC-AD 14 ......... 312 Reverse Types ............................................................... ................... 26 & Agrippa ......................................................................... ......... 336 Mints, Mint Map, and Mint Marks................................ ................... 65 & Julia ............................................................................... ......... 338 Dating Roman Coins: Tribunicia Potestas, Imperator .. ................... 72 & Julia, Gaius & Lucius Caesars ........................................ ......... 339 Pontifex Maximus, Pater Patrae, Armeniacus, Britannicus, etc. ....... 73 & Gaius Caesar ................................................................. ......... 339 & Tiberius ......................................................................... ......... 339 Abbreviations: Cuir., diad., dr., ex., gm., hd., l., laur., mm., etc ........ 74 Livia .................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Ancient Coin Reference Guide
    Ancient Coin Reference Guide Part One Compiled by Ron Rutkowsky When I first began collecting ancient coins I started to put together a guide which would help me to identify them and to learn more about their history. Over the years this has developed into several notebooks filled with what I felt would be useful information. My plan now is to make all this information available to other collectors of ancient coinage. I cannot claim any credit for this information; it has all come from many sources including the internet. Throughout this reference I use the old era terms of BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domni, year of our Lord) rather than the more politically correct BCE (Before the Christian era) and CE (Christian era). Rome With most collections, there must be a starting point. Mine was with Roman coinage. The history of Rome is a subject that we all learned about in school. From Julius Caesar, Marc Anthony, to Constantine the Great and the fall of the empire in the late 5th century AD. Rome first came into being around the year 753 BC, when it was ruled under noble families that descended from the Etruscans. During those early days, it was ruled by kings. Later the Republic ruled by a Senate headed by a Consul whose term of office was one year replaced the kingdom. The Senate lasted until Julius Caesar took over as a dictator in 47 BC and was murdered on March 15, 44 BC. I will skip over the years until 27 BC when Octavian (Augustus) ended the Republic and the Roman Empire was formed making him the first emperor.
    [Show full text]
  • Weekly Bulletin
    THE HOLY SEVEN YOUTHS (“SEVEN SLEEPERS) OF EPHESUS The Seven Youths of Ephesus: Maximilian, Iamblicus, Martinian, John, Dionysius, Exacustodianus BULLETIN (Constantine) and Antoninus, lived in the third century. Saint Maximilian was the son of the Ephesus city administrator, and the other six youths were sons of illustrious citizens of Ephesus. The youths were friends from childhood, and all were in military service together. When the emperor Decius (249-251) arrived in Ephesus, he commanded all the citizens to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. Torture and death awaited anyone who disobeyed. The seven youths were denounced by informants, and were summoned to reply to the charges. Appearing before the emperor, the young men confessed their faith in Christ. Their military belts and insignia were quickly taken from them. Decius permitted them to go free, however, hoping that they would change their minds while he was off on a military campaign. The youths fled from the city and hid in a cave on Mount Ochlon, where they passed their time in prayer, preparing for martyrdom. The youngest of them, Saint Iamblicus, dressed as a beggar and went into the city to buy bread. On one of his excursions into the city, he heard that the emperor had returned and was looking for them. Saint Maximilian urged his companions to come out of the cave and present themselves for trial. Learning where the young men were hidden, the emperor ordered that the entrance of the cave be sealed with stones so that the saints would perish from hunger and thirst. Two of the dignitaries at the blocked entrance to the cave were secret Christians.
    [Show full text]