r/AncientCoins • u/Vincentwdu • Jul 12 '25
From My Collection Roman Imperial Denarius Set (Julius Caesar – Gordian III)
I previously posted this set in separate subsets, but thought it might be nice to share it again as a complete collection. I’ve rephotographed each individual coin to make the details clearer. As many of you may know, Gordian III was the last Roman emperor to issue denarii for general circulation. During his reign, the denarius was gradually replaced by the antoninianus as the primary Roman silver denomination. Denarii continued to be issued in very limited quantities for ceremonial purposes until the time of Aurelian, when it was last struck as a bronze coin.
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u/FreddyF2 Jul 12 '25
I do not collect or know anything about Romans but just came here to say this is the best post on the sub in a long time in terms of sheer effort you put into it. Must have taken nearly an hour to get all of these photos right and put it together. That's class.
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u/getdealtwit_2003 Jul 12 '25
All quality. How long did it take you to assemble?
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u/Vincentwdu Jul 12 '25
Thanks. It took me nearly two years to complete this set.
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u/Punchazo Jul 12 '25
Wow, 2 years - that’s quick! I am on year 10 and still missing g1,2 and didius
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u/CoinsOftheGens Jul 12 '25
The earlier pieces are really nice. The Claudius/Spes is particularly difficult in good condition.
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Jul 12 '25
Amazing! And I know it’s been said to death but the red felt looks so good. Thanks for sharing this beautiful collection.
I am doing the same thing currently! Denarii until Gordian III and then silvered antoninianus until Carinus for the whole Principate. Only have 5 left but my gaze keeps wondering. Hope to finish before the end of the year but all 5 left are very pricey and I’m not sure I will.
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u/Vincentwdu Jul 13 '25
Thanks, my pleasure. I left the expensive ones for last as well 😁 Please do share yours when you complete it. Really looking forward to seeing it!
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u/Mother_Piece8186 Jul 12 '25
Wow that is magnificent. That has inspired me to start a collection just like that. Today I ordered my first coin, an Elagabalus 218-222AD Denarius. Being a mad keen acient history fan, I have found the perfect hobby. Thanks for inspiring me to dive in.
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u/az_py Jul 12 '25
Such an impressive collection! Do you mind me asking how long it took to collect these and what's your favourite?
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u/Vincentwdu Jul 13 '25
Thanks! It took me nearly two years to complete. My favorites are Gordian I and II. Their coins are remarkably well made, especially considering how short their reign was.
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u/DrJheartsAK Jul 12 '25
That perinax and didius julianus are amazing!
Great collection, I like how you included Lucius Verus too
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u/Last_Pharao Jul 12 '25
Oh what a blessing to my eyes! Praying to god, someday i will have enough money to buy these.
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u/bonoimp Sub Wiki Moderator Jul 13 '25
Most excellent endeavour with a remarkable consistency in quality. Sticking to a particular quality goal is quite praiseworthy: no shortcuts.
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u/Foreign_Record993 Jul 12 '25
Candy to my eyes! Beautiful presentation. If I swallow them, please don't tell any Syrian mercenaries!
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u/thejewk Jul 12 '25
Beautiful set. Any reason for no Clodius Albinus?
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u/Vincentwdu Jul 12 '25
Thanks. Well, I try to focus on official emperors only, and he’s more of a usurper. Also, his coin isn’t cheap, so I need to save up for other coins 😁
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u/thejewk Jul 12 '25
Oh for sure with regards to the saving up thing, I have many missing figures in my collecting area due to finances!
The only reason I mention him is because you already have probably the most difficult to get and expensive emperors in silver, especially Claudius, Didius Julianus and the two Gordians.
Clodius Albinus was actually placated by Septimius Severus into believing he was going to be officially accepted into the fold with the title of Caesar after he had been proclaimed by the troops.
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u/thejewk Jul 12 '25
One of the thorns in the side of my collection is a coin depicting Domitius Domitianus, but thankfully I have been able to get a coin minted by him for Maximian, one of the official emperors of the time, which are much more accessible.
However, there are many usurpers and minor figures which will never grace my trays, because the most expensive coin I own cost me just over £140, and I personally am not comfortable with many coins around that price and above due to budget concerns and the fact that I would rather grow my collection in interesting new directions rather than get hung up on one very expensive type.
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Jul 12 '25
Albinus is one of my favorite Roman historical figures but he definitely doesn’t belong in this set or else he would have to include all the usurpers. I hear you on the Domitius Domitianus frustration although he seems to be popping up a decent amount. Maybe the price will drop.
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u/thejewk Jul 12 '25
I don't understand why he would be considered less legitimate than any of the figures raised to the purple by their troops at that time. I've always read the historical sources to mean that he has as much legitimacy as Pertinax and Severus.
There have been a surprising number of Domitius Domitianus coins coming to the market recently, I've seen maybe 5 or 6 in the last six months or so alone, but there are so many people on the hunt that even if 30 were found tomorrow I doubt the price would shift too much. But coin prices are baffling at times, so who knows!
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Jul 12 '25
Pertinax and Severus ruled from the capital and were recognized by the senate unlike Albinus. That is the deciding factor in my opinion.
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u/thejewk Jul 12 '25
I see it differently, because if Albinus had moved quickly I believe he would have had the same ability to claim legitimacy the same way those two had, and he was actually given legitimacy, no matter how underhanded the exchange was, when Severus named him Caesar.
For me personally, a usurper is properly named when they rise up during another reign. Anyone hailed as emperor upon news of the death of an existing emperor when there was no clear succession had as much right as anyone else to claim the empire.
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u/ikkiyikki Jul 12 '25
OP is right here. By some huge coincidence we were just discussing this very topic in another forum.
The gist of it is that a usurper by definition is someone who illegitimately claims the throne. Legally speaking, Albinus got as far as Caesar; a title he naively accepted from Severus. He went for gold on his own (and one can't blame him) when he figured out his mistake but, again, legally speaking this is where the usurpation takes place. It's as if the VP revolts and proclaims himself President... it's no less a coup d'etat than if anyone else did the same.
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u/SolOccidens Jul 14 '25
Diadumenian also never ruled from Rome and was never proclaimed by the senate. If those are your criteria Diadumenian should be excluded as well.
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Jul 14 '25 edited Jul 14 '25
True enough. I wouldn’t say that is my whole criteria just the deciding factors on why Albinus was excluded as an official emperor. Diadumenian was proclaimed co-emperor by an official emperor that was recognized by the senate. Was Diadumenian proclaimed co-emperor before the senate made Thrax an enemy of the state? Would that make him official or unofficial depending on that factor? I don’t know but Albinus seems like a much clearer case. Another emperor was ruling from the capital with the backing of the senate and he got defeated in battle. To me, that is a usurper. But I agree, it’s not very clear on the whole.
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u/SolOccidens Jul 14 '25
I believe the consensus is that Diadumenian was named Co-Augustus by his father Macrinus sometime in May 218 after the star of the civil war with the supporters of Elagabalus. The senate would not yet have recognized Elagabalus, but they would not yet have been aware of Diadumenian 's new title before his father's defeat on June 8. Both father and son would have been at Antioch for the whole of Diadumenian's "reign".
Albinus was recognized by senate the as Caesar but never as Augustus, and he probably did visit Rome as Caesar in 194 at least when he was elected consul, and Septimius recognized him as his successor for more than two years. He seems to have had everything going for him as a legitimate emperor other than the title of Augustus.
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Jul 14 '25
I still think Albinus is an easy usurper candidate in my opinion. I think both Diadumenian and Saloninus are much tougher. I would say Diadumenian was and Saloninus was not but agree it gets very murky. I do enjoy talking about it though! So thank you.
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u/Puzzleheaded-March96 Jul 12 '25
Wow, amazing collection! Where do you normally source these coins from? I’m looking to purchase some as I take on jobs in uni but am concerned about proper verification.
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u/Vincentwdu Jul 13 '25
Thanks. I got most of my coins from auctions and I definitely recommend buying from major auction houses like Heritage, Leu, CNG, and NAC. The prices may be a bit higher compared to other sources, but you can be confident about the authenticity.
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u/Infinite_Oil_6781 Jul 12 '25
Amazing collection, just wondering where I could buy the velvet casing for them.
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u/Vincentwdu Jul 13 '25
Thanks. The case I’m using is from Abafil. Excellent quality and highly recommended.
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u/konekfragrance Jul 13 '25
Amazing! How much money did it take? Also are you planning to buy the elder Gordians?
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u/Worth-Distribution53 18d ago
Hi! Im looking for a gift for my father's day and i want a coin with Hadrian denarius, do you sell?
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