Roman coin portraits home

glossary

techniques of coinage

Roman Imperial Coin Portraits

Coins are sculptural monuments in miniature. Imperial coin portraits conveyed important socio-political messages during Roman times. In a time before photography, coin portraits, usually found on the obverses (fronts) of the coins, allowed the emperor to present his image to people living anywhere within the bounds of the Empire. In doing so he could choose to present himself in a variety of styles, from the idealized to the harshly realistic, and in a variety of guises, from the heroic military leader, to the tactful statesman, and even to the living incarnation of a god. His name and official titles are listed in the space that surrounds the portrait. These images are invaluable, as coins sometimes present the only known portraits of certain imperial personages. In addition, these portraits provide evidence of changes in aesthetic tastes such as hairstyles and modes of dress. Changes in the imagery and quality of the portraits reflect the evolving social, political, and economical state of the Empire.

The coins exhibited here have been selected because they are choice examples of Roman Imperial portraits of the 1st and 2nd centuries after Christ, a time when many of the finest portraits were executed.

AUGUSTUS (Octavian) (27 B.C.-A.D. 14), born in Rome in 63 B.C., was a grand-nephew of Julius Caesar who adopted him as his heir. After the defeat of Mark Anthony at Actium in 31 B.C., Octavian became sole master of the Roman world. In 27 B.C., he was given the title of "Augustus" by which he is popularly known.

Augustus (27 B.C.-A.D. 14)
Silver Denarius
Mint of Lugdunum, Gaul (modern Lyons, France)
Date of issue: 7-6 BC
Description of obverse: Head of Augustus, wearing a laurel wreath, facing right.
Legend:
CAESAR AVGVSTVS DIVI F PATER PATRIAE
(68.337)

TIBERIUS (A.D.14-37), born in 42 B.C., was AUGUSTUS' stepson and successor. He was intelligent, an excellent military commander, and a more than capable administrator. He was, however, so reluctant to run the state that he retired from Rome and lived out his final years at his villa on the island of Capri. Jesus Christ was crucified during his reign.

CALIGULA (Caius Caesar) (A.D. 37-41) was born in A.D. 12, and named by TIBERIUS as his heir. He was murdered in 41, after a reign of only four years. He received his nickname from the soldiers when as a child he wore the miniature uniform of a soldier, including the "caligula" a sort of half-boot.

CLAUDIUS (A.D. 41-54) was born in 10 B.C., and was excluded from public and political circles for much of his life due to physical deformities. He is best known for his successful invasion of Britain in 43, and for his marriage to his niece AGRIPPINA the younger, whose son NERO became his heir. He died in 54, perhaps poisoned by his wife.

NERO (A.D. 54-68), committed suicide in 68, on the eve of his arrest, after a reign of extravagance. He was a lover of the arts, and it is said of him that he played the fiddle while Rome burned in A.D. 64.

Nero (A.D. 54-68)
Bronze Sestertius
Mint of Lugdunum, Gaul (modern Lyons, France)
Date of issue: A.D. 65
Description of obverse: Head of Nero, wearing a laurel wreath, with small globe at the point of the bust, facing right.
Legend:
NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P
(67.76)

VESPASIAN (A.D. 69-79), born to a humble family in A.D. 9, was proclaimed emperor by the legions at Alexandria and went on to be a just and industrious ruler. He is perhaps best known for beginning construction of the Colosseum in Rome.

TITUS (A.D. 79-81), VESPASIAN's eldest son, was born in 41. He is remembered chiefly for his capture of Jerusalem in 70; scenes from the triumph are still visible on his arch in Rome.

DOMITIAN (A.D. 81-96), younger son of VESPASIAN, was born in 51. Although his reign started well, he soon became paranoid, cruel and tyrannical, which led to his murder in 96.

NERVA (A.D. 96-98), born in 32, was consul with DOMITIAN when the latter was assassinated. His short rule was marked by justice and careful administration. He adopted TRAJAN as his successor.

TRAJAN (A.D. 98-117), born in Spain in 52, is well known for his victories over the Dacians (commemorated on the famous column that still stands in Rome) and the Parthians, which extended the eastern boundaries of the Roman empire.

HADRIAN (A.D. 117-138), adopted by TRAJAN as his heir, spent much of his reign in visiting the provinces of the empire and greatly improved the defenses of the frontiers. Much of HADRIAN's wall in England, built against invasions from the north, still stands. He thoroughly reorganized the government of the empire, and his rule was just and humane.