AMAZING HOARD OF ANCIENT ROMAN DENARII
Due to a fortunate purchase by the Jonathan K. Kern Co. ancient department, we can
now offer again our very popular Roman Empire denarii portrait gallery. These ancient
Roman silver denarii (singular Denarius) were struck during the height of the Roman
Empire from AD 69 to 235. The Roman Empire stretched from Scotland to Arabia, from
Morocco to Poland, from Germany to Egypt, and the Mediterranean was known as the
"Roman Lake." It was an empire like the world had never known and has not known since.
Dozens of aspiring generals and tyrants like Justinian, Charlemagne, Napoleon, and Hitler
tried and failed to recreate the Roman Empire. All roads lead to Rome. When in Rome do
as the Romans do. About every third word in the English language had its start in Roman
Latin. Liberty on U.S. coins is usually shown wearing or holding a Liberty cap which the
Romans used to designate a free person. The Mercury Head Dime is named after the
Roman messenger god. The fasces on the reverse is a symbol of Roman justice. The
Roman Empire was the birth culture of the Christian religion. All one has to do is visit
modern Rome now and look at the Colosseum built by Vespasian, the triumphal arch of
Titus, Trajan's Column, and the Forum of Trajan. These are 2,000 year old ruins which
represent only a small fraction of the awe inspiring grandeur of this amazing civilization.
The average weight is about 3.5 grams of good silver. They were hand struck with the
reverse die embedded in an "anvil" of log cross section, and the obverse die was held and
struck with a hand sledge hammer. These silver jewels were struck in massive quantities to
fuel the economic needs of a vast thriving empire, and indeed, as this hoard demonstrates,
the oldest denarii in the hoard passed from hand to hand for over 125 years before being
buried. They were struck by hand engraved dies by skilled artists known as celators. The
portraits of all the different Roman emperors and their family members are like a portrait
gallery of miniature silver busts, or like a precious metal three-dimensional photo album.
The reverse dies were also carefully engraved, usually to depict all the gods, goddesses,
heroes, and nymphs of Roman mythology. Other reverses commemorated military victories,
religious or political events, or just plain propaganda.
The silver Denarius was also the power base by which Roman emperors maintained the
loyalty of their legions. These paid professional legionnaires, though proud to be part of the
Roman army, were just as happy serving a rival claimant to the Imperial Purple if he
happened to have a more generous war chest overflowing with denarii. All through the
reigns of Nerva and all the other Adoptive Emperors, the standard pay of the legionnaire
was 300 denarii a year.
Just by handling these treasures of the past one can almost hear the drums giving a
cadence to the footsteps of the Legion's advance and the trumpets signaling the charge
against the enemy lines! But after the battles were over and the paymaster had distributed
the denarii to the surviving legions, what happened then? For a Denarius a Roman could
buy 12 large loaves of bread, or 24 small loaves. A serving of table wine (probably watered,
which was acceptable) cost an As, or 1/16 of a Denarius. Vintage wine cost 1/4 a Denarius
a serving. In the Holy Land an amphora of olive oil from the Galilee cost one Denarius. A
bunch of grapes or 10 figs cost an As, or 1/16 of a Denarius. An ox sold for 100 denarii, and
a calf 20 denarii, and a ram 8 denarii, and 5 sparrows cost 1/8 Denarius. It could cost a
trader 10,000 denarii to lease a ship (galley). A scribe, a highly educated man, earned 12
denarii a week. He ate and drank for 4 denarii a week, and his clothing also cost 4 denarii a
week (he must have dressed quite well because a commoner could buy sackcloth clothing
which would last years for only 4 denarii).
The Flavian Dynasty
AD 69 to 96
In AD 68, Nero, the last of the Julio-Claudian emperors, committed suicide in the face of
widespread rebellion. In quick succession, Galba, Otho, and Vitellius acceded to the throne,
only to be deposed. The "year of four emperors," AD 69, ended with victory for the armies of
Vespasian. A career soldier and general under Nero, Vespasian had been dispatched in AD
66 to quell the First Revolt in Judaea. He returned to Rome after the fall of Nero and was
proclaimed emperor by his troops. Defeating Vitellius left him the sole ruler of the world's
most organized empire. Vespasian left his son Titus to continue the conquest of Judaea,
and Jerusalem was captured in AD 70.
Vespasian ruled the Roman Empire wisely until his death in AD 79. The principal
architectural legacy of his reign is the Colosseum, which he began and which was
completed by his sons, Titus and Domitian. The arch of Titus, which still stands today near
the Colosseum, celebrates his victories in Judaea. One carved relief on the arch depicts the
golden Menorah, looted from the temple in Jerusalem, being paraded through the streets of
Rome in the victory procession of Titus. Known as "the darling of all mankind" Titus reaped
popularity with the Roman public with his gifts to the masses. The Roman emperorship
managed an ancient welfare system to keep the teeming populace placated. Bread and
circuses: the ancient equivalent of food stamps and TV. If the grain ships from Egypt were
delayed or sunk, riots became more likely. The entertainment included chariot races,
gladiatorial combat in the arena with men and wild beasts, and executions of various
enemies of the state. One of the most famous disasters of antiquity occurred in AD 79 when
Mt. Vesuvius erupted and destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Upon the early death of Titus in AD 81, his younger brother Domitian assumed the
throne. Apparently an able administrator, the Roman Empire flourished under his control. As
the years passed, however, he became increasingly paranoid and vicious. He acquired a
personal reputation for cruelty and was a sworn enemy of the Senate. The Senate, although
usually a rubber stamp organization of the emperor, still reflected the old beliefs of the
Republic, and many respected and powerful families of the empire wielded great influence
there. In AD 96 a conspiracy including his wife and closest aides assassinated him, ending
the Flavian dynasty. The Senate chose Nerva, one of their elderly but respected members,
to succeed to the throne.
The Adoptive Emperors:
Accession by Merit
Wise and experienced in Roman politics, Nerva adopted the general Trajan to succeed
him. This choice to fill the position of Caesar, or heir to the throne, secured the immediate
support of Trajan's legions, and as history tells, was a very good choice, because Trajan led
the Roman Empire to its zenith in expanse, power and prosperity. The adoption of Trajan set
a precedent followed by him and his three successors. The English historian Edward
Gibbons termed this period of Adoptive Emperors the "happiest age in history."
Under Trajan, the Roman Empire underwent its last significant territorial expansion. After
two campaigns (AD 101-102 and 105-106), Trajan annexed the Kingdom of the Dacians
(modern Romania). In the Forum of Rome there still stands the awe-inspiring Column of
Trajan depicting the military campaign against the Dacians in detail as over 2,500 figures
spiral upward around the 125 foot height. In AD 105, the Kingdom of the Nabataeans was
converted into the Roman province of Arabia Petraea. In AD 114, a dispute with Parthia led
Trajan to annex Armenia and invade Mesopotamia. In AD 116, Mesopotamia was declared
a Roman province. However, rebellions in the east, including those of the Jews, forced
Trajan to retreat. He died in AD 117 before he could resume campaigning in the east.
Before his death, Trajan named his adopted son Hadrian as his heir.
The reign of Hadrian was one of consolidation. The new emperor gave up Trajan's
eastern conquests -- Armenia regained its former status as a Roman vassal state. Other
frontiers were strengthened. In Britain, the wall he built to defend against the Scottish tribes
is still to be seen. Hadrian spent most of his reign outside of Italy, touring the provinces to
see first-hand what were each territory's needs. Hadrian married a grand niece of Trajan's
named Sabina, but they had no children, so in AD 136, Hadrian adopted a certain L.
Ceionius Commodus, who took the name Aelius Caesar, as his son and heir. However, the
death of Aelius in AD 138 compelled Hadrian to designate a new heir, Antoninus. In turn,
Hadrian compelled Antoninus to adopt Lucius Verus, the son of Aelius, and a nephew of
Antoninus, Marcus Annius Verus, renamed Marcus Aurelius. Hadrian died later that same
year.
The reign of Antoninus Pius (AD 138-161) was notable chiefly for its tranquility, although
in Britain a new defensive line north of Hadrian's Wall was built to keep the Scottish tribes
further at bay. His wife, Faustina Senior, died in AD 141, so the vast majority of her coinage
was commemorative in nature. Also notable was the long apprenticeship of Marcus
Aurelius, who was named Caesar in AD 139. He married a daughter of Antoninus Pius and
Faustina in AD 145. She is known to history as Faustina Junior. By the time of the death of
Antoninus in AD 161, Marcus was thoroughly prepared to assume the burdens of office. As
it turned out, they would prove to be considerable.
Upon his accession, Marcus Aurelius elevated his adoptive brother, Lucius Verus, to the
position of co-emperor. Marcus, however, was clearly the supreme authority. Lucius married
the eldest daughter, Lucilla, of Marcus and Faustina Junior in AD 164. Marcus was to spend
much of his reign on campaign. Invasions of German tribes from the north and of Parthians
from the east bedeviled the empire. Plague, brought back from the east by the army in AD
166, swept the empire (a second wave of plague carried Lucius Verus away in AD 169).
Despite these shocks, Marcus was able to restore order on the eastern frontier and was
poised to annex territories on the northern frontier at the time of his death in AD 180.
Marcus was succeeded by his son Commodus, thus breaking the pattern of succession
through adoption, and with the accession, Rome's greatest era came to an end.
Commodus proved to be a despot who became quite insane. Commodus thought he was
the god Hercules, and he is depicted as Hercules on a number of his coins. He would enter
the arena himself to fight gladiators and wild beasts. There were several plots against him,
one of which involved his sister Lucilla, whom he put to death. Commodus' wife Crispina
was banished early in his reign and later executed. Commodus was eventually
assassinated Dec. 31, AD 192, and the Roman Empire entered an era of anarchy.
441 S. Ashland Ave., Lexington, Kentucky 40502
To order, call 859-269-1614
JONATHAN K. KERN
w1039458 01/25/2002 4:06 PM Page a
ROMAN REPUBLIC THE FIRST DENARIUS
3.8 grams of good silver. Usually Roma, Apollo, Jupiter, Juno, Venus or Hercules
portraits. Usually chariot reverse. 211-44 B.C. Up to 20 different designs and
moneyers available.
G+
Fine
VF
EF
AU
27.
57.
107.
177.
277.
THE IMPERATORS
Sulla, Scipio, Pompey, Brutus, Cassius, and Marc Anthony. Call for availability.
THE TWELVE CAESARS
The Twelve Caesars. After Julius Caesar the word Caesar became the title
of the heir to the Roman throne. Octavian, the nephew of Julius, took the
title Augustus as a name. Henceforth the supreme title of power in the
empire was the accolade Augustus.
Poor
G+
Fine
VF
EF
AU
Julius Caesar portrait c. 44 BC ..
--
--
677.
1277.
--
--
Venus portrait, 49-44 BC .....
87.
147.
197.
377.
577.
--
Augustus 31 BC-14 AD..............
47.
97.
137.
177.
277.
497.
Tiberius 14-37 AD......................
77.
127.
177.
297.
397.
--
Caligula 37-41 AD......................
--
--
--
2277.
3777.
--
Claudius 41-54 AD.....................
--
--
977.
2277.
3777.
--
Nero 54-68 AD ...........................
47.
117.
247.
550.
975.
--
Galba 68-69 AD .........................
77.
147.
377.
775.
1775.
--
Otho 69 AD ................................
197.
377.
775.
1775.
2700.
--
Vitellius 69 AD ...........................
47.
97.
375.
777.
1700.
--
Vespasian 69-79 AD ..................
27.
47.
97.
225.
377.
Vespasian Posthumous..............
--
27.
47.
97.
225.
--
Titus, his son, as Caesar 69-79 AD
27.
37.
67.
277.
477.
--
Titus as Augustus 79-81 AD ......
27.
37.
67.
177.
377.
775.
Julia Titi, his daughter:
.
VG $377.
F-VF $777.
Domitian, as Caesar 69-81 AD ..
--
27.
57.
127.
277.
--
Domitian as Augustus 81-96 AD
--
27.
37.
67.
127.
277.
THE ADOPTIVE EMPERORS, and FAMILIES
G+
Fine
VF
EF
Abt. Unc.
Nerva 96-98 AD.............................
37.
77.
227.
377.
777.
Trajan 98-117 AD...........................
19.
27.
57.
97.
297.
Dacian War commemoratives .
27.
47.
77.
127.
377.
Trajan's Column in the Forum........
--
117.
197.
477.
--
Hadrian 177-138 AD......................
19.
33.
67.
127.
297.
Sabina, Hadrian's wife ...................
39.
67.
157.
277.
477.
Aelius, as Caesar 136-138 AD ......
117.
177.
277.
477.
977.
Antoninus Pius as Caesar 138 AD
37.
77.
177.
377.
977.
as Augustus 138-161 AD ........
19.
29.
47.
77.
177.
posthumous, by Aurelius .........
29.
37.
57.
87.
147.
Faustina Senior, his wife, during
her lifetime, died 141 AD .........
--
37.
77.
197.
377.
Faustina Senior, posthumous ........
19.
29.
47.
77.
177.
Marcus Aurelius as Caesar
under Pius 139-161 AD...........
19.
37.
67.
97.
197.
as Augustus 161-180 AD ........
19.
37.
57.
77.
197.
posthumous, by Commodus....
27.
47.
77.
127.
--
Faustina Junior, wife of Aurelius ....
19.
27.
37.
57.
177.
after her death in 175 AD ........
19.
27.
37.
57.
177.
Lucius Verus as
Augustus 161-169 AD .............
37.
57.
97.
197.
377.
posthumous by Commodus ....
37.
57.
97.
197.
--
Lucilla, wife of Lucius and
sister of Commodus ................
--
--
67.
97.
147.
Commodus as Caesar 175-177 AD
--
77.
147.
277.
477.
co-Augustus with Aurelius .......
--
57.
97.
197.
377.
as Augustus 177-192 AD ........
27.
37.
67.
97.
277.
Insane, as Hercules ................
--
97.
177.
377.
--
Crispina, wife of Commodus..........
37.
57.
87.
177.
377.
ASSASSINATIONS and TURMOIL
G+
Fine
VF
EF
AU
Pertinax, 86 days in 193 AD ..........
--
477.
877.
1750.
2750.
Didius Julianus, 66 days in 193 AD
--
--
1477.
--
--
Pescennius Niger 193-194 AD ......
--
1077.
1750.
2750.
--
Clodius Albinus, as Caesar
193-195 AD ................................
87.
177.
377.
577.
1077.
THE SEVERAN DYNASTY & MILITARY EMPERORS
G+
Fine
VF
EF
AU
Septimus Severus 193-211 AD .....
--
27.
37.
47.
67.
Julia Domna, his wife.....................
--
27.
37.
47.
67.
Caracalla, boy as Caesar 196-198 .....
--
27.
47.
97.
197.
boy as co-Augustus 198-205 AD...
--
27.
37.
47.
67.
youth as co-Augustus 205-211 AD
--
27.
37.
47.
67.
bearded, Augustus 211-217 AD ...
--
27.
37.
47.
77.
Plautilla, wife of Caracalla .............
37.
47.
67.
97.
177.
Geta, as Caesar 198-209 AD .........
27.
37.
47.
67.
177.
as co-Augustus 209-212 AD.....
37.
57.
77.
97.
227.
211-212 AD with full beard.......
37.
57.
87.
127.
297.
Macrinus 217-218 AD....................
--
--
137.
177.
477.
Diadumenian, Caesar 217-218 AD
--
--
377.
477.
777.
Elagabalus, Augustus 218-222 AD
27.
37.
47.
67.
97.
insane, with horn on head .......
27.
37.
47.
87.
147.
Julia Paula, ex-wife in 220 AD .......
47.
77.
117.
187.
277.
Julia Aquilea Severe, ex-vestal virgin
--
--
--
--
--
Julia Soaemias, his mother ...........
27.
47.
77.
117.
197.
Julia Massa, sister of Julia Domna
27.
37.
47.
77.
117.
Severus Alexander, 222-235 AD ...
--
27.
37.
47.
67.
Amazing hoard picked for luster and sharp reverse dies! Gem Unc. at $177.
Julia Mamaea, his mother .............
27.
37.
47.
67.
87.
Orbiana, wife of Severus Alexander
--
--
477.
677.
--
Maximinus I, Thrax 235-238 AD ....
--
27.
37.
47.
57.
Paulina, his wife.............................
--
--
--
477.
777.
Maximus, as Caesar 235-238 AD..
--
--
277.
377.
775.
Gordian II, Africanus 238 AD: .......
F+ $777.
Balbinus 238 AD............................
--
--
377.
577.
977.
Pupienus 238 AD...........................
--
--
477.
677.
977.
Gordian III as Caesar, 238-244 AD
337.
Gordian III, as Augustus 238-244 AD
--
27.
37.
47.
67.
After Gordian the use of the denarius dwindled to nothing as the
increasingly base Double Denarius drove the good silver from
circulation.
Gallienus 253-268 AD Bronze Denarius, EF ............................................
477.
ARGENTEUS The Resurrected Denarius on the Good Silver
Standard of Nero Equal to Five Follies.
VF
EF+
Unc.
Diocletian 284-305 AD .................................
677.
1277.
Maximianus 286-305 AD ..............................
677.
1277.
Constantius I as Caesar 293-305 AD...........
--
677.
1277.
Galerius as Caesar 293-305 AD ..................
677.
1277.
ROMAN DENARII
The Single Most Important Ancient Coin Denomination
Republic, Mars
103 B.C. $137.
Republic, Diana
74 B.C. $177.
Republic, Mercury,
Argos greeting
Ulysses
82 B.C. $277.
Domitian 82 A.D.
Fortuna $477.
Augustus/Comet
19 B.C. $377.
Trajan 100 A.D.
Trajan's father $477.
Hadrian, Mint State!
Moneta $577.
Antoninus Pius as
Caesar/Concordia $977.
Septimus Severus, Victory
over the Britons $277.
Maximinus I, Victory over
the Germans $377.
Galba/Livia
$777.
Vitellius/Victory
$777.
Vespasian/Wreath
SPQR $377.
Titus 74 A.D.
Caduceus $775.
Julia Titi
Venus $777.
441 S. Ashland Ave., Lexington, Kentucky 40502
To order, call 859-269-1614
between 9 a.m. & 5 p.m. EST
Professional Numismatist · Bachelor of Arts in Numismatics
24-hour FAX only: 859-266-7900
E-mail address: JKernCoins@AOL.com
M E M B E R
1. All coins guaranteed as described. ANA and
common sense grading. Your satisfaction
guaranteed!
2. Fourteen day return privilege or approval
service can be arranged with proper
references.
3. Personal checks of unknown customers must
clear.
References may be required. VISA,
MasterCard and American Express accepted.
4. Kentucky residents add 6% sales tax.
5. All coins sent insured or registered! Orders less
than $200 please add $4.00 for postage and
handling.
6. Most coins are one-of-a-kind. Second choices
appreciated.
7. Office walk-in sales by appointment only.
MAIL ORDER POLICIES
JONATHAN K. KERN
AUTHENTICITY & SATISFACTION GUARANTEED.
Julius Caesar
46/5 B.C.
Venus/Anchiscs
$577.
Julius Caesar/Marc
Anthony
43 B.C. $1,277.
Brutus 43/2 B.C.
Apollo/
Trophy $877.
Nero 65 A.D.
Temple of Vesta
$577.
w1039458 01/25/2002 4:06 PM Page b