One of the primary sources of propaganda in the ancient world was the minting of coins, and nowhere was this more apparent than in the Roman Empire. Minting a Roman coin would celebrate the accession and reign of emperors, military victories, and honor successful generals. In times of civil war or rebellion, opposing sides...
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The victoriatus was a silver coin minted during the time of the Roman Republic, originally minted around 221 BC. The obverse of the coin featured the bust of Jupiter, while the reverse featured a man placing a wreath above a trophy. Beneath the trophy is the inscription “ROMA.” This coin was released as a...
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The Fitzwilliam Museum at the University of Cambridge boasts of being the "finest small museum in Europe." Its history dates back to 1816, when Viscount Richard Fitzwilliam left his library and art collection to the university, along with funds to house and preserve them. Since 1848, it has stood on Trumpington Street in central...
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Prior to 44 B.C., Roman coins did not bear the image of a living person, although emperors might feature an ancestor. That changed when Julius Caesar ordered coins struck with his image. The practice continued, with some variations, until the fall of the Roman Empire.
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As the Romans expanded their republic and subsequent empire, they did so with the fighting skills and technical savvy of their legions; but it has been argued that trade was the under-girding impetus and support behind this expansion. Towards the development of trade, then, a comprehensive and precise accounting system was used in Roman...
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Many people turn to auction sites as a way to gain very interesting items that contain significance. One of the many popular items that are sold on auction sites is Roman Republican coins. These are very valuable and interesting pieces from the past that sell at varying rates. Three very important factors to be...
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