CLARK COLLECTION OF ANCIENT ART:

ANCIENT COINS (1 through 10)




EC.72.1

Denomination: as

Date: c. 200 BCE

Obverse: Head of Janus

Notes: Janus was a major figure in early Roman mythology, seen as the god of all beginnings and a spirit occupying gateways. He is commonly depicted with two heads, one looking into the past and one looking into the future.

An identical coin is reproduced in R. A. G. Carson's Principal Coins of the Romans; Vol. 1: The Republic c. 290-31BC (London: British Museum, 1978): no. 47.

Reverse: Prow of a ship

Inscription: ROMA
Translated: Rome

Notes: This coin came into circulation after the Second Punic War (218-201 BCE), when Romans instituted a new monetary system to defray expenses incurred while fighting against the Carthaginian general Hannibal. Ancient Roman coinage, the appearance of which is indebted to the Greeks, is generally struck--not cast--accounting for its raised edges and irregular shape.

Weight: 16 g

EC.72.2

Denomination: as

Date: 27 BCE - 14 CE

Obverse: Head of Julius Caesar facing right

Inscription: DIVOS IULIUS
Translated: The deified Julius

Reverse: Head of Augustus facing right

Inscription: CAESAR DIVI F
Supplied: Caesaris Divi Filius
Translated: The son of the deified Caesar

Notes: After taking control of the treasury, Julius Caesar instituted portraiture of living rulers on coins, placing his likeness on a coin for the first time in 44 BCE. This coin, however, was not issued during the lifetime of Julius Caesar, but by his adopted son, Augustus. It was common practice for a new emperor to link himself to a predecessor, even if the relation was speciously remote, implying he not only had a right to office but would exhibit the same virtues and strengths, ensuring political stability.

Weight: 13 g

EC.72.3

Denomination: denarius

Date: c.40 BCE

Obverse: Figure of an elephant, likely crushing a dragon

Inscription: CAESAR

Notes: The elephant on the obverse of the coin was the family badge for the Caesars.

Reverse: Priestly symbols (a torch and dagger)

Notes: The denarius was introduced c. 210 BCE in solid silver. It quickly became the major currency in the Mediterranean. This coin (EC.72.3) is probably an ancient forgery. Forgery was commonplace in the Roman Republic and coins frequently bear cut marks, as does this one, showing that their authenticity had been tested. Our coin appears to be silver-plated bronze, so it likely failed the test.

An identical coin is reproduced in R. A. G. Carson's Principal Coins of the Romans; Vol. 1: The Republic c. 290-31BC (London: British Museum, 1978): no. 207.

Weight: 2 g

EC.72.4

Denomination: as

Date: c. 7 BCE

Obverse: Uncrowned, beardless head of Augustus facing left

Inscription: IMP CAESAR DIVI F AUGUSTUS IMP XX
Supplied: Imperator Caesar Divi Filius Augustus Imperator XX
Translated: Emperor Caesar Augustus, son of the deified one, Emperor for twenty years

Reverse: No figure

Inscription: PONTIF MAXIM TRIBUN POT XXXIIII. SC
Supplied: Pontifex Maximus Tribunitia Potestate XXXIIII. Senatus Consulto
Translated: The High Priest exercising tribunician power for the thirty-fourth time. By decree of the Senate

Weight: 10 g

EC.72.5

Denomination: as

Date: c. 14-37 CE

Obverse: Uncrowned, beardless head of Augustus facing left

Inscription: DIVUS AUGUSTUS PATER
Translated: Divine Augustus the Father

Reverse: A funeral altar called the Altar of Providence

Inscription: PROVIDENT. SC
Supplied: Ara Providentiae. Senatus consulto
Translated: The Altar of Providence. By decree of the Senate

Notes: This coin was issued during the reign of Tiberius. This coin is identical to EC.72.6 and EC.72.7.

An identical coin is reproduced in R. A. G. Carson's Principal Coins of the Romans; Vol. 2: The Principate 31BC-AD296 (London: British Museum, 1980): no. 375.

Weight: 10 g

EC.72.6

Denomination: as

Date: c. 14-37 CE

Obverse: Uncrowned, beardless head of Augustus facing left

Inscription: DIVUS AUGUSTUS PATER
Translated: Divine Augustus the Father

Reverse: Funeral altar called the Altar of Providence

Inscription: PROVIDENT. SC
Supplied: Ara Providentiae. Senatus Consulto
Translated: The Altar of Providence. By decree of the Senate

Notes: This coin is identical to EC.72.5 and EC.72.7 .

An identical coin is reproduced in R. A. G. Carson's Principal Coins of the Romans; Vol. 2: The Principate 31BC-AD296 (London: British Museum, 1980): no. 375.

Weight: 10 g

EC.72.7

Denomination: as

Date: c. 14-37 CE

Obverse: Uncrowned, beardless head of Augustus facing left

Inscription: DIVUS AUGUSTUS PATER
Translated: Divine Augustus the Father

Reverse: Funeral altar called the Altar of Providence

Inscription: PROVIDENT. SC
Supplied: Ara Providentiae. Senatus Consulto
Translated: The Altar of Providence. By decree of the Senate

Notes: This coin is identical to EC.72.5 and EC.72.6.

An identical coin is reproduced in R. A. G. Carson's Principal Coins of the Romans; Vol. 2: The Principate 31BC-AD296 (London: British Museum, 1980): no. 375.

Weight: 7 g

EC.72.9

Denomination: as

Date: after 14 CE

Obverse: Uncrowned, beardless head of Augustus facing left

Inscription: DIVUS CAESAR AUG P M
Supplied: Divus Caesar Augustus Pontifex Maximus
Translated: Divine Caesar Augustus the High Priest

Reverse: Faint striding figure facing right

Notes: This coin was most likely issued under the reign of Tiberius (see EC.72.16 through EC.72.20, and EC.72.21 for more coins and information on Tiberius).

Weight: 8 g

EC.72.10

Denomination: sestertius

Date: c. 138-161 CE

Obverse: uncrowned, beardless head of Augustus facing right

Inscription: DIVUS AUG...
Translated: Divine Augustus...

Reverse: Standing woman

Inscription: SC
Supplied: Senatus Consulto
Translated: By decree of the Senate

Notes: This coin was likely issued under the reign of Antoninus Pius

Weight: 20 g

Please email Professor Eddie Lowry with any questions or comments.