Mailing Address:
Special Collections
College of Charleston Library
66 George Street
Charleston, SC 29424
Phone:
(843) 953-8016
Title: Joel Handshu Antiquarian Coin Collection
Collection #: 0062
Dates: 550 B.C.-1200 A.D.
Size:
0.8 linear ft. (2 boxes)
175 coins
Biographical Note: Born in Allentown, Pennsylvania and lived primarily in Hollywood, Florida and in Charleston, South Carolina; alumnus of the University of Florida and Florida State University; served in United States Army, 1969-1972 and 1973-1990; assembled coin collection, 1990-1998.
Scope and Content Note: Collection includes the original dealer description for each coin, inventories and appraisals, and some notes by Handshu. Most of the documentation consists of the dealer and auction catalogs Handshu selected his coins from and issues of periodicals which provide an overview of the market for coins. Handshu's reference books on coins have been cataloged separately for the Library's collection.
The majority of the coins provide a nearly complete collection of portraits of Roman emperors from Augustus through Leo I (27 B.C.-A.D. 474). Approximately 90 emperors are represented, and there are related portraits of wives, sisters, and mothers of emperors (such as Antonia, Faustina, Lucilla and Octacillia Serera) and of well known Romans such as Julius Caesar, Mark Anthony, Agrippa and Germanicus.
The second largest group of approximately 40 coins is a representative selection of Greek coins for each century from the 6th through the 2nd century B.C. Most major Greek cities are represented.
About 20 coins provide samples of the types issued by Carthage, Judaea, Byzantium and other political entities.
Subject Headings:
Coins, Roman.
Coins, Greek.
Coins, Ancient.
Numismatics, Ancient.
Numismatics, Greek.
Numismatics, Roman.
Numismatics, Byzantine.
Art, Greek.
Art, Roman.
Emperors -- Rome.
Inventory:
Roman Coins
Roman Republic
ANONYMOUS ISSUE 206-195 B. C.
QUADRANS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF HERCULES
REVERSE: PROWS OF GALLEY
(Given by Steven Handshu in memory of Joel Handshu, November 1998)
ANONYMOUS ISSUE 211-207 B. C.
VICTORIATUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF JUPITER
REVERSE: VICTORY CROWNING TROPHY
ANONYMOUS ISSUE 103-76 B. C.
LEPTON ("WIDOWS MITE")
ALEXANDER JANNAEUS
(Given by Steven Handshu in memory of Joel Handshu, November 1998)
PISO / CAPIO 100 B. C.
DENARIUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF SATURN
REVERSE: TWO QUAESTERS SEATED BELOW EARS OF CORN
PISO FRUGI 90 B. C.
DENARIUS
OBVERSE: LAUREL HEAD OF APOLLO
REVERSE: HORSEMAN GALLOPING
L. CASSIUS LONGINUS 63 B. C.
DENARIUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF VESTA
REVERSE: VOTER STANDING, DROPPING TABLET INTO CISTA
JULIUS CAESAR 49-48 B. C.
DENARIUS
OBVERSE: ELEPHANT TRAMPLING SERPENT
REVERSE: PONTIFICAL EMBLEMS
MARC ANTONY 31-32 B. C.
DENARIUS
OBVERSE: LEGIONARY EAGLE BETWEEN TWO STANDARDS. USED TO PAY TROOPS.
REVERSE: WARSHIP
Imperial Rome
AUGUSTUS CAESAR 27 B. C. - 14 A. D.
DENARIUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF AUGUSTUS
REVERSE: GAIUS AND LUCIUS CAESAR
DEFEATED MARC ANTONY TO BECOME ROMAN EMPEROR
AUGUSTUS CAESAR B.C. 27-14 A.D.
AS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF AUGUSTUS
REVERSE: EAGLE FACING ON GLOBE
(Given by Steven Handshu in memory of Joel Handshu, November 1998)
TIBERIUS 14 - 37 A. D.
AS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF TIBERIUS
REVERSE: RUDDER AND GLOBE
SUCEEDED AUGUSTUS IN A. D. 14 AND PROVED HIMSELF A VERY ABLE ADMINISTRATOR. IN A. D. 26
HE RETIRED TO CAPREAE AND NEVER AGAIN RETURNED TO ROME
ANTONIA (MOTHER OF CLAUDIUS) 50 A. D.
COMMEMORATIVE DUPONDIUS
OBVERSE: BUST OF CLAUDIUS CAESAR
REVERSE: CLAUDIUS STANDING, HOLDING SIMPULUM
CALIGULA 37-41 A. D.
AS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF CALIGULA
REVERSE: VESTA SEATED
HIS NICKNAME, CALIGULA WAS BESTOWED ON HIM BY HIS SOLDIERS WHEN HE WAS A BOY, INCLUDING THE HALF BOOT (CALIGA). HE BECAME A VERY DEPRAVED EMPEROR AND WAS EVENTUALLY MURDERED BY A GROUP OF PRAETORIANS ON JANUARY 24, A. D. 41.
CLAUDIUS 41-54 A. D.
DUPONDIUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF CLAUDIUS
REVERSE: CERES SEATED
THE RESULT OF A CHILDHOOD ATTACK OF INFANTILE PARALYSIS IT WAS ASSUMED THAT HE WAS WEAK MINDED, BUT HE PROVED TO BE A CAPABLE ADMINISTRATOR AND TOOK PART IN THE INVASION OF ROME IN A. D. 43. HE PROBABLY WAS POISIONED BY HIS WIFE AGRIPPINA.
NERO 54-68 A.C.
DENARIS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF NERO
REVERSE: LEGIONARY EAGLE AND STANDARDS
(Given by Steven Handshu in memory of Joel Handshu, November 1998)
NERO 54-68 A. D.
AS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF NERO
REVERSE: VICTORY ADVANCING LEFT
HIS EXTRAVAGENCE AND VANITY MADE HIM VERY UNPOPULAR. IT WAS RUMORED HE STARTED THE GREAT FIRE WHICH DESTROYED HALF OF ROME IN A. D. 64. IN A. D. 68 REVOLT BROKE OUT AND THE PRAETORIANS DESERTED HIM AND NERO COMMITTED SUICIDE.
GALBA 68-69 A. D.
DENARIUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF GALBA
REVERSE: SPQR IN A WREATH
PRECEDING THE DEATH OF NERO HE WAS PROCLAMED EMPEROR BY HIS TROOPS. HOWEVER HIS STRICT DISCIPLINE AND RIGID ECONOMY MADE HIM VERY UNPOPULAR WITH THE ARMY. OTHO ORGANIZED A CONSPIRACY AND GALBA WAS ASSIGNATED IN THE FORUM ON JANUARY 15, A. D. 69.
OTHO 69 A. D.
DENARIUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF OTHO
REVERSE: VICTORIA
DEFEATED IN BATTLE BY VITELLUS WHO HAD BEEN PROCLAIMED EMPEROR BY HIS TROOPS. OTHO COMMITTED SUICIDE ON APRIL 17, A. D. 69.
VITELLIUS 69 A. D.
DENARIUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF VITELLIUS
REVERSE: TRIPOD WITH DOLPHIN ABOVE, RAVEN BENEATH
VITELLIUS WAS A VORACIOUS GLUTTON AND GAVE MORE ATTENTION TO THE PLEASURES OF THE TABLE THAN THE BUSINESS OF GOVERNMENT. VITELLIUS WAS SEASED IN HIS PALACE, MURDERED, AND HIS BODY WAS DRAGGED THROUGH THE STREETS OF ROME AND THROWN IN THE TIBER.
VESPASIAN 69-79 A. D.
DENARIUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF VESPASIAN
REVERSE: JUDAEA CAPTA
DESPITE HIS HUMBLE ORIGIN HE ROSE TO A SERIES OF IMPORTANT POSTS. IN A. D. 67 NERO APPOINTED HIM TO QUELL THE JEWISH REBELLION. HE WAS A JUST AND INDUSTERIOUS RULER AND HE IMPROVED THE CONDITION OF THE STATE.
TITUS 77 AD (CAESAR);
79-81 A. D. (AS EMPEROR)
DENARIUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF TITUS
REVERSE: OXEN WTIH COS VI
ELDER SON OF VESPASIAN, HE COMMANDED A LEGION IN HIS FATHERS JEWISH CAMPAIGN. HE SUCCEEDED HIS FATHER AS EMPEROR AND PROVED TO BE A BENEVOLENT EMPEROR.
DOMITIAN 81-96 A. D.
DENARIUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF DOMITIAN
REVERSE: PEGASUS STANDING
HE WAS UNPOPULAR WITH THE SENATE IN THE LAST YEARS OF HIS REIGN, AND THE LAST YEARS OF HIS REIGN WERE ONES OF TERROR AND OPPRESSION. HE WAS MURDERED ON SEPTEMBER 18, A. D. 96 AS THE RESULT OF A PLOT INVOLVING HIS WIFE, DOMITIA, HIS CHAMBERLAIN, AND THE PRAETORIAN PREFECT.
NERVA 96-98 A. D.
SESTERTIUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF NERVA
REVERSE: LIBERTY STANDING
ON THE ASSINATION OF DOMITIAN HE WAS PROCLAIMED EMPEROR AND HE DID MUCH TO IMPROVE THE CONDITION OF THE STATE. HE LACKED THE CAPACITY TO COMMAND AND HE HAD HALF-HEARTED SUPPORT OF THE ARMY. HE DIED JANUARY 25, A. D. 98.
TRAJAN 98-117 A. D.
DENARIUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF TRAJAN
REVERSE: VIRTUS HOLDING SPEAR AND PARAZONIUM
HE WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL AT EXPANDING THE BORDERS OF ROME. HE ALSO CARRIED OUT A SUCCESSFUL BUILDING PROGRAM IN ROME AND HE CONSTRUCTED OR REPAIRED MANY ROADS, BRIDGES AND AQEDUCTS THROUGHOUT THE EMPIRE.
HADRIAN 117-138 A. D.
DENARIUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF HADRIAN
REVERSE: RELIGIOUS ITEMS, COS 1
HE IS BEST KNOWN AS THE BUILDER OF THE GREAT WALL FROM THE TYNE TO THE SOLWAY IN ENGLAND. HE WAS ONE OF THE MOST CAPABLE EMPERORS AND HE DEVOTED HIS LIFE TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE STATE.
AELIUS 136-138 A. D.
AS, COS 2
OBVERSE: HEAD OF AELIUS
REVERSE: FORTUNA STANDING
HE WAS ADOPTED BY HADRIAN AS HIS HEIR IN A. D. 136. HE DIED OF TUBERCULOSIS BEFORE HADRIAN ON JANUARY 1, A. D. 138.
ANTONINUS PIUS 138-161 A. D.
SESTERTIUS
OBVERSE: ANTONINUS PIUS
REVERSE: ANTONINUS SACRIFICING OVER TRIPOD- ALTAR
HE WAS ADOPTED BY HADRIAN AS HIS HEIR. THE HISTORY OF HIS REIGN IS ONE OF TRANQUILITY AND PROSPERITY AND THE ROMAN WORLD ENJOYED HIS PATIENT, JUDICIOUS AND IMPARTIAL RULE.
MAREUS AURELIUS 161-180 A. D.
DENARIUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF MAREUS AURELIUS
REVERSE: EQUITY STANDING
AFTER THE DEATH OF AURELIUS HE WAS ADOPTED BY ANTONINUS. AURELIUS REIGN WAS DISTURBED BY MANY FRONTIER WARS. DURING THESE WARS HE WROTE HIS CELEBRATED (MEDITATIONS). HE WAS A CAREFUL GENEROUS AND CONSCIENTIOUS RULER AND IS BEST REMEMBERED FOR HIS DEVOTION TO STOIC PHILOSOPHY.
DIVA FAUSTINA d. 141 A. D.
SESTERTIUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF DIVA FAUSTINA
REVERSE: ETERNITY STANDING HOLDING PHOENIX
SHE WAS THE WIFE OF ANTONINUS PIUS AND THE MOTHER OF FAUSTINA, JR.
FAUSTINA, JR. d. 175 A.D.
DENARIUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF FAUSTINA
REVERSE: PEACOCK
LUCIUS VERUS 161-169 A. D.
SESTERIUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF LUCIUS VERUS
REVERSE: MARCUS AURELIUS AND VERUS
HE WAS ADOPTED BY ANTONINUS AND WAS CO-EMPEROR WITH AURELIUS. HE CAMPAIGNED SUCCESSFULY IN THE EAST FROM A. D. 163-65. HE WAS AN ALCOHOLIC AND HIS DEATH IN A. D. 169 WAS A RELIEF TO HIS SENIOR PARTNER.
LUCILLA d. 182 A. D.
OBVERSE: HEAD OF LUCILLA
REVERSE: VESTA STANDING HOLDING SIMPULUM AND PALLADIUM
SHE WAS THE ELDER DAUGHTER OF MARCUS AURELIUS AND EVENTUALLY PUT TO DEATH BY HER BROTHER THE EMPEROR COMMODUS.
COMMODUS 177-180 A. D.
DENARIUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF COMMODUS
REVERSE: PROVIDENCE STANDING, GLOBE AT FEET
HE WAS A MOST UNWORTHY SON OF A NOBLE FATHER. IN HIS LAST YEARS HE SEEMS TO HAVE BECOME INSANE. HE WAS MURDERED ON THE NIGHT OF DECEMBER 31, A. D. 192.
DIDIUS JULIANUS 193 A. D.
SESTERTIUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF DIDIUS JULIANUS
REVERSE: FORTUNE STANDING
THE PRAETORIAN GUARDS PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED THAT THEY WOULD ELECT AS EMPEROR THE MAN WHO WOULD PAY THE HIGHEST PRICE. JULIANUS A WEALTHY SENATOR, OFFERED 25,000 SESTERTIIUS PER SOLDIER AND WAS DULY DECLARED EMPEROR. THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HIS ELEVATION ARROUSED MUCH INDIGNATION AMONGST THE ROMAN POPULACE. JULIANUS WAS DESERTED BY THE PRAETORINS AND WAS BEHEADED ON JUNE 2, A. D. 193 AFTER A REIGN OF ONLY 66 DAYS.
CLODIOS ALBINUS 193-195 A. D. (AS CAESAR); 195-
197 (AS EMPEROR)
SESTERTIUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF CLODIOS ALBINUS
REVERSE: MINERVA STANDING LEFT WITH OLIVE BRANCH AND SHIELD
HE WAS GOVERNOR OF BRITIAN AFTER THE DEATH OF JULIANUS. HOWEVER HE HAD TO CONTEND WITH SEVERUS TO BE ABSOLUTE MASTER OF THE EMPIRE. THEY FOUGHT A GREAT BATTLE ON FEBRUARY 19, A. D. 197 NEAR LYONS FRANCE, AND HE WAS DEFEATED. ALBINUS COMMITTED SUICIDE AND HIS BODY, TOGETHER WITH THOSE OF HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN WHO WERE PUT TO DEATH AND THROWN INTO THE RHONE.
SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS 193-211 A. D.
DENARIUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS
REVERSE: FORTUNA STANDING, HOLDING RUDDER AND CORNUCOPIAE
AFTER HE DEFEATED ALBINUS HE BECAME EMPEROR. HE SPENT MUCH OF HIS REIGN CAMPAIGNING IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE EMPIRE. IN A. D. 208 HE WENT TO BRITIAN TO PUT DOWN UNREST. HE REPAIRED ADRAINS WALL, AND DIED AT YORK ON FEBRUARY 4, A. D. 211.
CARACALLA 198-217 A. D.
DENARIUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF CARACALLA
REVERSE: TROPHY AND TWO CAPTIVES
THE NAME OF CARACALLS BY WHICH THIS EMPEROR IS COMMONLY KNOWN IS DERIVED FROM A LONG TUNIC OF GALLIC ORIGIN WHICH HE ADOPTED AS HIS FAVORITE DRESS. ON THE DEATH OF SEVERES IN 211 CARACALLA REIGNED JOINTLY WITH HIS BROTHER GATA. IN 212 HOWEVER HE HAD GATA ASSIGNATED TO CONSOLIDATE HIS POSITION AS SOLE RULER. HIS REIGN WAS MARKED BY EXTRAVAGANCE AND CRUELTY. HE WAS FINALLY MURDERED BY THE ORDERS OF MACRINUS THE PRAETORIAN PREFECT ON APRIL 8, A. D. 217.
GETA 217-218 A. D.
DENARIUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF GETA
REVERSE: CASTOR STANDING
THE YOUNGER SON OF SEVERUS, HE RULED JOINTLY WITH CARACALLA. HE WAS MURDERED IN FEBRUARY A. D. 212 AFTER 12 MONTHS OF JOINT RULE. THERE FOLLOWED A VIGOROUS PERSECUTION OF ALL THE ADHERENCE OF GETA IN WHICH PERHAPS 20,000 PEOPLE DIED.
MACRINUS 217-218 A. D.
DENARIUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF MACRINUS
REVERSE: AEQUITAS HOLDING SCALES AND CORNUCOPIA
BORN OF HUMBLE PARENTS HE ROSE TO BECOME PREFECT OF THE PRAETORIAN GUARDS UNDER CARACALLA AND WAS PARTY TO THE LATTER'S MURDER. A CONSPIRICY AGAINST HIM CAUSED HIS ARMY TO REVOLT. HE FLED BUT WAS CAPTURED AND PUT TO DEATH AFTER A REIGN OF 14 MONTHS.
DIADUMENIAN 217-218 A. D.
AE 22
OBVERSE: HEAD OF DIADUMENIAN
REVERSE: BUST OF SERAPIS OLYMPUS
SON OF MACRINUS. AFTER HIS FATHERS DEFEAT HE FLED TOWARDS PARTHIA ONLY TO BE OVERTAKEN AND EXECUTED.
ELAGABALUS 218-222 A. D.
DENARIUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF ELAGABALUS
REVERSE: SALUS
IN HIS BOYHOOD HE WAS APPOINTED PRIEST OF THE SUN-GOD ELAGABALUS AND IT IS BY THIS NAME THAT HE IS BEST KNOWN. IN A. D. 218 HE BECAME EMPEROR AFTER A REVOLT INSTIGATED BY HIS GRANDMOTHER JULIA MAESA. HIS REIGN WAS NOTORIOUS FOR RELIGIOUS FANATICISM, CRUELTY, BLOODSHED AND EXCESSES OF EVERY DESCRIPTION. THERE WAS GENERAL DISSATISFACTION WHEN ON MARCH 6, 222 ELAGABALUS AND HIS MOTHER JULIA SOAEMIAS WERE MURDERED AND THEIR BODIES WERE DRAGGED THROUGH THE STREETS OF ROME AND THROWN INTO THE TYBER.
SEVERUS ALEXANDER 222-235 A. D.
DENARIUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF SEVERUS ALEXANDER
REVERSE: ALEXANDER SACRIFICING
IN 221 HE WAS ADOPTED BY ELAGABALUS, HIS COUSIN. AFTER THE MURDER OF ELAGABALUS ALEXANDER WAS PROCLAIMED EMPEROR. THE EMPEROR WAS VERY MUCH UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF HIS MOTHER AND THIS WAS RESENTED BY THE ARMY. ON MARCH 22, 235 ALEXANDER AND HIS MOTHER JULIA MAMAEA WERE MURDERED AT THEIR CAMP NEAR MAINZ AND THE SOLDIERS PROCLAIMED MAXIMINUS ONE OF THEIR COMANDERS AS EMPEROR.
MAXIMINUS I 235-238 A. D.
DENARIUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF MAXIMINUS I
REVERSE: FIDES MILITUM
OF THRACIAN PEASANT STOCK, HE WAS A MAN OF GREAT STATURE AND PHYSICAL STRENGTH. HE JOINED THE RANKS OF THE ROMAN ARMY AND GAINED RAPID PROMOTIONS. HIS REIGN WAS CHARACTERIZED BY HIS HATRED OF NOBILITY AND RUTHLESS CRUELTY TOWARDS ANYONE SUSPECTED OF CONSPIRING AGAINST HIM. HIS TROOPS FINALLY MUTINIED AND MURDERED BOTH HIM AND HIS SON MAXIMUS ON 24 JUNE 238 A. D.
MAXIMUS 235-238 A. D.
SESTERTIUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF MAXIMUS
REVERSE: MAXIMUS STANDING, HOLDING ROD AND SPEAR
SON OF MAXIMINUS. HE WAS MURDERED WITH HIS FATHER NEAR AQUILEIA ON JUNE 24, 238 A. D.
BALBINUS 238 A. D.
SESTERTIUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF BALBINUS
REVERSE: CONCORDIA
BALBINUS AND PUPIENUS WERE ELECTED AS JOINT RULERS BY THE SENATE. BALBINUS WAS GIVEN THE TASK OF DIRECTING THE CIVIL ADMINISTRATION. WHILE THE LATTER GATHERED TROOPS THE SOLDIERS AND CITIZENS HAD LITTLE LOVE FOR THEIR TWO NEW RULERS AND A PERIOD OF CIVIL STRIFE ENSUED. PRAETORIANS INVADED THE PALACE AND MURDERED THE TWO EMPERORS AFTER A REIGN OF 98 DAYS.
PUPIENNUS 238 A. D.
SESTERTIUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF PUPIENNUS
REVERSE: FELICITY HOLDING CADUCEUS AND
SCEPTER
ELECTED JOINT EMPEROR WITH BALBINUS BY THE SENATE, HE WAS MURDERED WITH BALBINUS ON JULY 29 IN A. D. 238.
GORDIAN III 238-244 A. D.
SESTERTIUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF GORDIAN III
LITTLE IS KNOW ABOUT HIS REIGN BUT IN 242 HE SET OFF FOR THE EAST TO DIRECT THE PERSIAN CAMPAIGN. DUE TO THE TREACHERY ON THE PART OF PHILIPPUS THE PRAETORIAN PREFECT AND THE LOYALTY OF THE TROOPS WAS UNDERMINED AND GORDIAN WAS DEPOSED AND MURDERED IN MESOPOTAMIA IN A. D. 244.
PHILIP I 245 A. D.
ANTONINIANUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF PHILIP I
PHILIP (THE ARAB) WAS APPOINTED TO THE POST OF PRAETORIAN PERFECT BY GORDIAN III AND HE BECAME EMPEROR. THE CHIEF EVENT OF HIS REIGN, IN 248 WAS THE THOUSANDTH ANNIVERSARY OF ROME. HIS ARMY WAS DEFEATED WHILE PUTTING DOWN A REBILLION AND PHILIP AND HIS SON WERE KILLED IN BATTLE IN 249 A. D.
OCTACILIA SEVERA (WIFE OF PHILIP I)
ANTONINIANUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF OCTACILIA
REVERSE: PIETAS STANDING HOLDING BOX OF PERFUMES
PHILIP II 247-249 A. D.
(SON OF PHILIP I)
ANTONINIANUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF PHILIP II
REVERSE: PHILIP STANDING HOLDING GLOBE AND SPEAR
THE SON OF PHILIP I HE WAS PROBABLY KILLED WITH HIS FATHER AT THE BATTLE OF VERONA IN 249 A. D.
TRAJAN DECIUS 249-251 A. D.
ANTONINIANUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF TRAJAN DECIUS
REVERSE: DECIUS ON HORSEBACK
HE BACAME EMPEROR AFTER DEFEATING PHILIP I NEAR VERONA. MUCH OF HIS SHORT REIGN WAS SPENT WITH THE BARBARIANS ON THE NORTHER FRONTIER AND IN A BATTLE AGAINST THE GOTHS IN 251 A. D. DECIUS WAS DEFEATED AND KILLED TOGETHER WITH HIS ELDER SON, HERENNIUS. THE REIGN OF DECIUS IS BEST KNOWN FOR HIS RIGEROUS PERSECUTION OF THE CHRISTIANS, IN WHICH POPE FABIAN LOST HIS LIFE.
HERENNIUS ETRUSCUS 251 A. D.
ANTONINIANUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF HERENNIUS ETRUSCUS
REVERSE: SPRINKLER, SIMPULUM, JUG, PATERA AND LITUUS
SON OF TRAJAN DECIUS.
TREBONIANIUS GALLUS 252-253 A. D.
ANTONINIANUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF TREBONIANIUS GALLUS
REVERSE: PAX STANDING, HOLDING BRANCH AND
SCEPTRE
UPON THE DEATH OF DECIUS GALLUS WAS CHOSEN BY THE ARMY TO FILL THE VACANT THRONE. HIS FIRST ACT WAS THE CONCLUSION OF PEACE WITH GALLUS THE TERMS WHICH WHICH WERE DISGRACEFUL. GALLUS AND HIS SON VOLUSIAN WERE MURDERED BY THEIR OWN SOLDIERS.
VOLUSIAN 233-251 A. D.
ANTONINIANUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF VOLUSIAN
REVERSE: EQUITY STANDING
THE SON OF TREBONIANUS GALLUS HE WAS MURDERED WITH HIS FATHER IN A. D. 253.
AEMILIAN 253 A. D.
ANTONINIANUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF AEMILIAN
REVERSE: WARRIOR
AEMILIAN WAS GOVERNER OF MOESIA IN THE REIGN OF GALLIUS. AEMILIAN WAS MURDERED BY HIS MEN THREE MONTHS AFTER BECOMING EMPEROR.
GALLIENUS 253-268 A. D.
DENARIUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF GALLIENUS
REVERSE: PAX HOLDING OLIVE BRANCH
SON OF VALERIAN I HE FOUND HIMSELF SOLE RULER OF THE EMPIRE AFTER THE CAPTURE OF VALERIAN. ALTHOUGH AN ABLE SOLDIER GALLIENUS WAS EVENTUALLY MURDERED AT THE SIEGE OF MILAN IN 268 A. D.
VALERIAN I 253-260 A. D.
ANTONINIANUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF VALERIAN I
REVERSE: SALUS STANDING
HE WAS PROCLAIMED EMPEROR BY HIS TROOPS AND ON THE MURDER OF AEMILIAN HE WAS UNDISPUTED RULER OF THE EMPIRE. THE REIGN OF VALERIAN I WAS MARKED BY MANY FRONTIER TROUBLES AND IN 256 A. D. HE LEFT ROME TO FIGHT THE PERSIANS. IN 260 A. D. VALERIAN WAS CAPTURED AND MADE PRISIONER AND HE SPENT THE REST OF HIS LIFE IN CAPTIVITY IN PERSIA.
VALERIAN II 253-255 A. D.
ANTONINIANUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF VALERIAN II
REVERSE: VALERIAN II STANDING HOLDING SPEAR
THE ELDER SON OF GALLIENUS.
SALONINUS 255-259 A. D.
ANTONINIANUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF SALONINUS
REVERSE: SPES PUBLICA
THE YOUNGER BROTHER OF VALERIAN II. IN 259 A. D. HE WAS ELEVATED TO THE RANK OF EMPEROR BUT SOON AFTERWARDS WAS PUT TO DEATH AT COLOGNE BY POSTUMUS, THE COMMANDER OF THE RHINE LEGIONS.
MACRIANUS 260-261 A. D.
ANTONINIANUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF MACRIANUS
REVERSE: SOL INVICTO STANDING
QUIETUS 260-261 A. D.
ANTONINIANUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF QUIETUS
REVERSE: ROMA SEATED ON SHIELD
POSTUMUS 259-268 A. D.
ANTONINIANUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF POSTUMUS
REVERSE: FELICITY STANDING
VICTORINUS 268-270 A. D.
ANTONINIANUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF VICTORINUS
REVERSE: INVICTVS SOL ADVANCING HOLDING WHIP
TETRICUS I 270-273 A. D.
ANTONINIANUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF TETRICUS I
REVERSE: FIDES STANDING
TETRICUS II 270-273 A. D.
ANTONINIANUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF TETRICUS II
REVERSE: SPES ADVANCING
CLAUDIS II GOTHICUS 268-270 A. D.
ANTONINIANUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF CLAUDIS II GOTHICUS
REVERSE: VICTORY STANDING
QUINTILLUS 270 A. D.
ANTONINIANUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF QUINTILLUS
REVERSE: APOLLO STANDING
AURELIAN 270-275 A. D.
ANTONINIANUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF AURELIAN
REVERSE: FEMALE PRESENTING WREATH TO
AURELIAN
VABALATHUS 272-272 A. D.
ANTONINIANUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF VABALATHUS
REVERSE: LAUREATE
TACITUS 275-276 A. D.
ANTONINIANUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF TACITUS
REVERSE:
FLORIANUS 276 A. D.
ANTONINIANUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF FLORIANUS
REVERSE:
PROBUS 276-282 A. D.
ANTONINIANUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF PROBUS
REVERSE: FEMALE STANDING PRESENTING WREATH TO PROBUS
CARUS 282-283 A. D.
ANTONINIANUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF CARUS
REVERSE: VIRTUS STANDING LEANING OF SHIELD AND HOLDING SPEAR
NUMERIAN 282-284 A. D.
ANTONINIANUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF NUMERIAN
REVERSE: NUMERIAN RECEIVING VICTORY ON GLOBE FROM JUPITER
CARINUS 283-285 A. D.
ANTONINIANUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF CARINUS
REVERSE: CARUS AND JUPITER STANDING
DIOCLETIAN 284-305 A. D.
ANTONINIANUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF DIOCLETIAN
REVERSE: JUPITER AND HERCULES STANDING
CARAUSIUS 287-293 A. D.
ANTONINIANUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF CARAUSIUS
REVERSE: SALVS STANDING, FEEDING SERPENT ARISING FROM ALTAR IN FIELD
MAXIMIANUS 286-305 A. D.
FOLLIS
OBVERSE: MAXIMIANUS
REVERSE: GENIUS STANDING
CONSTANTIUS I 305-306 A. D.
POST-REFORM RADIATE
OBVERSE: HEAD OF CONSTANTIUS I
REVERSE: GENIUS STANDING
GALERIUS 293-305 A. D.
FOLLIS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF GALERIUS
REVERSE: GENIUS STANDING
GALERIA VALERIA
FOLLIS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF GALEERIA VALERIA
REVERSE: VENUS STANDING HOLDING APPLE
SEVERUS II 306-307 A. D.
FOLLIS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF SEVERUS II
REVERSE: GENIUS STANDING
MAXIMINUS II 305-308 A. D.
FOLLIS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF MAXIMINUS II
REVERSE: GENIUS STANDING HOLDING HEAD OF SERAPIS AND CORNUCOPIAE
MAXENTIUS 306-312 A. D.
FOLLIS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF MAXENTIUS
REVERSE: ROMA SEATED FACING IN HEXASTYLE
LICINIUS 308-324 A. D.
AE
OBVERSE: HEAD OF LICINIUS
REVERSE: JUPITER STANDING HOLDING VICTORY ON GLOBE
CONSTANTINE I 307-337 A. D.
REDUCED FOLLIS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF CONSTANTINE I
REVERSE: SOL STANDING HOLDING GLOBE
CRISPUS 317-326 A. D.
Ae3
OBVERSE: HEAD OF CRISPUS
REVERSE:
CONSTANTINE II 337-340 A. D.
Ae3 (LONDON)
OBVERSE: HEAD OF CONSTANTINE II
REVERSE: ALTAR INSCRIBED "VOL. 20"
CONSTANS 337-350 A. D.
Ae3
OBVERSE: HEAD OF CONSTANS
REVERSE: TWO SOLDIERS STANDING BESIDE STANDARD
CONSTANTIUS II 348-354 A. D.
CENTENIONALIS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF CONSTANTIUS II
REVERSE: SOLDIER ADVANCING DRAGGING YOUNG BARBARIAN FROM HUT BENEATH TREE
MAGNENTIUS 350-353 A. D.
CENTENIONALIS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF MAGNENTIUS
REVERSE: TWO VICTORIES STANDING FACING EACH OTHER
VENTRANIO 350 A. D.
CENTENIONALIS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF VENTRANIO
REVERSE: VENTRANIO STANDING HOLDING TWO LABARA
CONSTANTIUS GALLUS 351-354 A. D.
CENTENIONALIS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF CONSTANTIUS GALLUS
REVERSE: SOLDIER ADVANCING, SPEARING FALLEN HORSEMAN
JULIAN II 360-363 A. D.
SILIQUA
OBVERSE: HEAD OF JULIAN II
REVERSE: "VOTIS MULTIS" IN WREATH
JOVIAN 363-364 A. D.
SILIQUA
OBVERSE: HEAD OF JOVIAN
REVERSE: "VOTIS MULTIS" IN WREATH
VALENTINIAN I 364-375 A. D.
AE3
OBVERSE: HEAD OF VALENTINIANI
REVERSE: VALENTINIAN ADVANCING DRAGGING CAPTIVE AND HOLDING LABARUM
VALENS 364-378 A. D.
SILIQUA
OBVERSE: HEAD OF SILIQUA
REVERSE: ROMA SEATED, HOLDING VICTORY AND SCEPTRE
PROCOPIUS 365-366 A. D.
Ae3
OBVERSE: HEAD OF PROCOPIUS
REVERSE: PROCOPIUS STANDING HOLDING LABARUM AND LEANING ON SHIELD
GRATIAN 367-383 A. D.
Ae3
OBVERSE: HEAD OF GRATIAN
REVERSE: VICTORY ADVANCING
VALENTINIAN II 375-392 A. D.
Ae2
OBVERSE: HEAD OF VALENTINIAN II
REVERSE: VALENTINIAN ON GALLEY; VICTORY AT HELM
THEODOSIUS I 379-395 A. D.
Ae4
OBVERSE: HEAD OF THEODOSIUS I
REVERSE: "VOT. MULTI" IN LAUREL WREATH
MAGNUS MAXIMUS 383-388 A. D.
Ae2
OBVERSE: HEAD OF MAGNUS MAXIMUS
REVERSE: MAXIMUS STANDING RAISING FEMALE FIGURE
EUGENIUS 392-394 A. D.
SILIQUA
OBVERSE: HEAD OF EUGENIUS
REVERSE: ROMA SEATED HOLDING VICTORY AND SPEAR
ARCADIUS 383-408 A. D.
SILIQUA
OBVERSE: HEAD OF ARCADIUS
REVERSE: ROMA STANDING
HONORIUS 393-423 A. D.
Ae2
OBVERSE: HEAD OF HONORIUS
REVERSE: HONORIUS STANDING, HOLDING STANDARD AND GLOBE
THEODOSIUS II 446 A. D.
AE
OBVERSE: HEAD OF THEODOSIUS II
REVERSE: VICTORY SEATED HOLDING LONG CROSS AND SHIELD
MARCIAN/TEMISS 450-457 A. D.
AE
OBVERSE: HEAD OF MARCIAN/TREMISS
REVERSE: VICTORY STANDING
LEO I 457-474 A. D.
SOLIDUS
OBVERSE: HEAD OF LEO I
REVERSE: CONSTANTINE STANDING
Other Antiquarian Coins
(Coins in approximate chronological order)
IONA MILETOS
Mid 6th c. BC. Diobul
Lion's head/Floral star
AIGINA
550 - 530 BC. Stater
Turtle
TYRE, PHENICIA.
5th Cen. B. C. Dishekel.
Design: Melquarth on hippocamp/owl standing.
(Given by Steven Handshu in memory of Joel Handshu, November 1998)
SICILY, AKRAGAS
490 - 483 BC. Didrachma
Eagle on rock/Crab
SICILY, SYRACUSE
485 - 478 BC. Tetradrachma
Head of Artemis with dolphins/Quadriga with charioteer, Nike above
SICILY, SYRACUSE.
485-465 B. C. Litra.
Head of Arethusa-Artemis/cuttlefish.
(Given by Steven Handshu in memory of Joel Handshu, November 1998)
METAPONTUM, LUCANIA
480 - 440 BC. Stater
Ear of barley/Meta
TRICCA, THESSALY
480 - 420 BC. Hemidrachma
Bullfighter restraining bull/Horse prancing
SICILY, GELA
470 - 450 BC. Tetradrachma
River god Gelas {man-headed bull)/Quadriga and charioteer
SICILY, LEONTINI
466 - 425 BC. Tetradrachma
Head of Apollo/Lion's head, corn grains
SICILY, SEGESTA.
461-415 B. C. Didr.
Head of Segesta right/hound left.
(Given by Steven Handshu in memory of Joel Handshu, November 1998)
SICILY, MESSANA
461- 396 BC. Tetradrachma
Hare bounding/Biga of mules, charioteer
ATHENS
449 - 413 BC. Tetradrachma
Athena
MACEDONIA, OLYNTHOS
420 - 392 BC. Tetrabol
Laurel, head of Apollo/lyre
THRACE, BYZANTIUM
416 - 357 BC. Drachma
Cow above dolphin
PAMPYLIA, ASPONDUS
400 - 370 BC. Stater
Wrestlers/Slinger with triskelion
EPIDAMNUS, DYRRHACHIUM
400 - 350 BC. Stater
Cow suckling calf/Stellete pattern
NEAPOLIS, CAMPANIA
4th c. BC. Stater
Head of nymph/Angel over bull)
TARENTUM, CALABRIA
4th c.BC. Didrachma
Boy on horse/Taras on dolphin)
PANTIKAPAION
4th c. BC.
Head of young Pan/Head of bull
PANTIKAPAION (Northern Greece).
4th Cen. B. C.
Head of Pan/neck of bull.
(Given by Steven Handshu in memory of Joel Handshu, November 1998)
EPHESOS
390 - 330 BC. Tetradrachma
Bee/Kneeling stag and palm
THEBES
379 - 338 BC. Stater
Boeotian shield/Amphora, letters of magistrate
HERAKLEIA, LUCANIA
370 - 281 BC. Didrachma
Athena head/Herakles with bow, lion's skin
LOKRIS OPUNTIA
369 - 338 BC. 1/4 Stater
Head of Persephone/Ajax with shield
COS, CARIA
After 366 BC. Tetradrachma
Head of Heracles/Crab
MACEDON.
359-336 B. C.
Philip of Macedon AE18: Head/horse and rider.
(Given by Steven Handshu in memory of Joel Handshu, November 1998)
LUCANIA, VELIA
350 - 281 BC. Drachma
Athena/Lion standing
MACEDONIA KINGDOM
ALEXANDER III (THE GREAT)
336 - 323 BC. Tetradrachma
Alexander with lion's head/Zeus on backless throne
BABYLON.
311-280 B. C. Tetr.
Baal seated/lion.
(Given by Steven Handshu in memory of Joel Handshu, November 1998)
ARGOS, ARGOLIS
After 3rd c. BC. Hemidrachma
Forepart of wolf/Square with club beneath
MAURETANIA.
252 B. C. Denarius.
Bust of Juba/head-dress of Isis & sistrum.
(Given by Steven Handshu in memory of Joel Handshu, November 1998)
SASSANIAN EMPIRE.
242 B. C. Drachma.
Aradashir I.
(Given by Steven Handshu in memory of Joel Handshu, November 1998)
CARTHAGE, ZEUGITANA.
230-220 B. C. Tridradim.
Tanit/horse.
(Given by Steven Handshu in memory of Joel Handshu, November 1998)
HELLENISTIC EGYPT.
221-204 B. C.
Ptolemy IV. Bronze.
(Given by Steven Handshu in memory of Joel Handshu, November 1998)
ARADOS (NORTHERN PHOENICIA
2nd c. BC. Drachma
Bee/Stag and palm
THESSALIAN LEAGUE
196 - 146 BC. AR double Victoriatus
Head of Zeus/Athena advancing with shield
OLYMPIA, ELIS
After 191 BC. Drachma
Eagle wingspread attacking hare, talons/Winged thunderbolt
RHODES
189 -166 BC. Didrachma
Head of Helios/Rose
SELUCID EMPIRE.
175-164 B. C.
Antiochus IV. Head of Isis/eagle.
(Given by Steven Handshu in memory of Joel Handshu, November 1998)
NUMIDIA.
148-118 B. C.
Micnsa (father of Jugurtha)/horse.
(Given by Steven Handshu in memory of Joel Handshu, November 1998)
THASOS, THRACE
After 146 BC. Tetradrachma
Head of Dionysus/Hercules
SYRIA, ANTIOCHUS
121 - 96 BC Tetradrachma
Head of Antiochus VII/Zeus standing with star and scepter
AMISOS (ASIA MINOR).
c. 100 B. C.
Ares with helmet/hafted sword.
(Given by Steven Handshu in memory of Joel Handshu, November 1998)
IBERIA.
1st Cen. B. C.
Castulo/sphinx.
(Given by Steven Handshu in memory of Joel Handshu, November 1998)
PARTHEA.
90-80 B. C.
Orodes I/archer.
(Given by Steven Handshu in memory of Joel Handshu, November 1998)
CORINTH
Stater
Corinthian helmet over leather cap, Nike behind head/Pegasus
JUDAEA.
A. D. 37-44.
Lepton umbrella with fringe /three ears of barley.
(Given by Steven Handshu in memory of Joel Handshu, November 1998)
JUDAEA.
A.D. 59-62
Prutah/palm branch.
(Given by Steven Handshu in memory of Joel Handshu, November 1998)
JUDAEA.
A. D. 68 ( Revolt Pruta; year two).
Amphora/vine leaf.
(Given by Steven Handshu in memory of Joel Handshu, November 1998)
CAESAREA , CAPPADOCIA.
A. D. 79.
Titus/Nike.
(Given by Steven Handshu in memory of Joel Handshu, November 1998)
SEPPHORIS, JUDAEA.
A. D. 98-177.
Trajan/palm.
(Given by Steven Handshu in memory of Joel Handshu, November 1998)
JUDAEA.
A. D. 132-135 (Bar Kichba War).
Palm/leaf.
(Given by Steven Handshu in memory of Joel Handshu, November 1998)
BYZANTIUM.
A. D. 9th Century
Barley/palm tree.
(Given by Steven Handshu in memory of Joel Handshu, November 1998)
BYZANTIUM.
A. D. 10th Century.
Christ/inscription.
(Given by Steven Handshu in memory of Joel Handshu, November 1998)
SELJUK EMPIRE.
A. D. 1196-1204.
Knight.
(Given by Steven Handshu in memory of Joel Handshu, November 1998)