Řím císařství (Roman Imperial)

Octavian as Augustus, 27 BC – 14 AD Denarius circa 13 BC - Ex Triton sale XI, 2008, Prideaux,792 and EX NAC 64, 2012, 2389. From the Alberto Campana collection., AR 19mm., 3.91g. Denarius 13 BC, AR 3.91 g. Bare head r.; behind, lituus. Rev. Augustus, veiled and togate, standing l.,holding simpulum. C 455. RIC 398.

Very rare. Old cabinet tone, two countermarks, otherwise good very fine.

Ex Triton sale XI, 2008, Prideaux,792 and EX NAC 64, 2012, 2389. From the Alberto Campana collection.

Octavian as Augustus, 27 BC – 14 AD Bronze Panormus circa 7-14 AD, Æ 22.5mm., 8.49g. Bare head right. Rev. Trisceles with Gorgoneion in centre; in r.field, corn ears. Calciati 20. RPC 641.

Rare. Light green patina, areas of weakness, otherwise good very fine

Octavian as Augustus, 27 BC – 14 AD As Nemausus circa 10-14, Æ 26mm., 12.29g. IMP / P - P / DIVI F Head. Of Agrippa and Augustus back to back, the former wearing combined rostral crown and laurel wreath, the latter wearing an oak wreath. Rev. COL – NEM Crocodile r., chained to palm-tree with long, vertical fronds; at the top of the tree, wreath with long ties. C 10. RPC 525. RIC 160.

Light green patina, light scratches; otherwise about very fine.

In the name of Antonia, wife of Nero Claudius Drusus Denarius circa 41-45, AR 18mm., 3.71g. ANTONIA – AVGVSTA Draped bust right, wearing crown of barley ears. Rev. SACERDOS – DIVI – AVGVSTI Two long ignited torches linked by ribbon. C 5. BMC Claudius 114. RIC Claudius 68. CBN –.

Very rare. Lovely toned and extremely fine.



We are told by Suetonius (Gaius 15) that Caligula compelled the senate to grant Antonia every honour possessed by Livia. However, the same historian (Claudius 11) tells us she refused what Caligula proposed and that only after her death was she hailed Augusta by Claudius. (It is worth noting that an inscription from Corinth indicates she was hailed Augusta by Caligula.). Antonias portrait on the obverse of her two precious metal coinages represent her in the guise of Ceres (Demeter), for she wears a crown of grain ears. The reverse type of this denarius is inscribed SACERDOS DIVI AVGVSTI, and depicts two alight torches linked by a ribbon or garland. The inscription is a direct reference to Claudius – the issuer of the coin – as the priest of the cult of Divus Augustus. The meaning of the two torches is less clear. Perhaps they signify Livia and Antonia as the only two women, both deceased, who held the title Augusta. Alternatively, they may represent the rites of the Augustan priesthood, of which Antonia was named priestess under Caligula, and Claudius since the accession of Tiberius. Equally likely is the possibility of the explanation involving the Ceres-Demeter connection already noted for the obverse. Demeter is usually depicted holding a torch, which illuminated her visits to the underworld. The worship of Ceres-Demeter in Rome involved annual celebrations (the Cerealia) and games (the Ludi Cereales). The cult was ancient and important, and was inextricably tied to the Eleusinian Mysteries. Claudius interest in its occult rituals must rituals must have been deep since Suetonius (Claudius 25) tells us he tried to relocate the Eleusinian Mysteries from Attica to Rome.

Gaius, 37-41 Sestertius circa 37-38 - Ex NAC sale 72, 2013, 1491., Æ 35mm., 26.30g. Pietas, veiled and draped, seated l., holding patera and resting l. arm on small facing figure. Rev. Gaius, veiled and togate, sacrificing over garlanded altar; in the background, hexastyle temple. C 9. RIC 36.

Brown tone and very fine

Ex NAC sale 72, 2013, 1491.

Claudius, 41-54 Quadrans circa 41, Æ 19mm., 3.12g. TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG Three-legged modius. Legend around SC. C. 70. RIC 84.

Dark patina and extremely fine/about extremely fine.

Claudius, 41-54 Sestertius circa 41-54, Æ 35mm., 23.43g. TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP P Laureate head right. Rev. SPES – AVGVSTA Spes, draped, advancing left, holding flower in upraised r. hand and raising skirt with l.; in exergue, S C. C 85. BMC 124. RIC 99. CBN 165.

Bold portrait. Brown tone and good very fine.

Nero, 54-68 Hemidrachm Caesarea circa 54-68, AR 14.5mm., 1.72g. Laureate head right. Rev. Nike seated left on globe, holding wreath. Sydenham, Caesarea 82. RPC I 3646.

Lightly toned and extremely fine.

Vespasian, 69-79 Quadrans circa 71, Æ 15.5mm., 2.11g. IMP VESPASIAN AVG Three-legged modius Rev. PON M TR P P P COS III Left hand holding pair fo scales. C. -. RIC -.

Rare. Very fine.

Vespasian, 69-79 Denarius circa 76, AR 20mm., 3.58g. IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG Laureate head r. Rev. IOVIS CVSTOS Jupiter standing facing, holding sceptre and sacrificing over altar. C 222. BMC 276. RIC 849. CBN 250.

lightly toned and extremely fine.