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Tetradrachm of Syracuse
The front side shows the head of Arethusa, a nymph praised for her beauty. She is wearing pearls and a necklace which often showed high status. The four dolphins surrounding Arethusa connects her to Syracuse, Sicily because the sea is important to…
Solidus of Maurice Tiberius
This coin illustrates a frontal bust of Emperor Maurice of Constantinople (lived 539-602 CE) on its obverse side. The coin depicts Maurice in a Christ-like fashion--he is clean shaven, does not have distinguishing facial features, and holds a cross…
Solidus of Heraclius
The obverse has Heraclius depicted as bigger, crowned, and bearded due to his age and power. His son Heraclius Constantine is depicted smaller and beardless on the right. Christianity was the state religion and Heraclius recovered the True Cross…
Solidus of Constans II
A bust of emperor Constans II is on the obverse. He was born Heraclius Constantinus Augustus. Constans was a nickname that eventually became standard in text. He is holding a globus cruciger or a cross. On the reverse side, the cross on the steps…
Sestertius of Trajan Decius
This coin features a portrait of Trajan Decius, who became Emperor of Rome after killing his predecessor Philip the Arab during a rebellion. Trajan Decius reigned for only two years until he was killed in the Battle of Abritus alongside his son, with…
Sesterius of Hadrian
The coin’s obverse portrays a profile of Roman Emperor Hadrian (76-138 CE) wearing a laurel crown, signifying his victories. The coin features a small crack alongside Hadrian’s neck, indicating its extensive use. The coin’s reverse depicts a seated…
Sesterius of Emperor Caligula
The coin’s obverse illustrates a profiled bust of Agrippina Senior (14 BCE-33 CE), granddaughter of Emperor Augustus and mother of Emperor Caligula. Agrippina and her husband, General Germanicus, conspired to regain control over the Roman Empire from…
Roman Republic L. Valerius Flaccus
The obverse side of the coin pictures the winged bust of Victory, possibly chosen in hopes for success in the Jugurthine War. The reverse pictures Mars, the god of war, holding a spear and a trophy next to grain. Also on the reverse is an apex, which…
Reduced Follis of Constantius II
This coin features a profile of Constantius II, allowing subjects to learn what their ruler looked like. The reverse side has the image of a Roman camp gate. During Constantius’ rule the empire was beset by conflict, both with other states and…
Maurice Tiberius
On the obverse side, it shows Emperor Maurice Tiberius. He was the emperer of the Byzantine Empire from 582-602. On the reverse side, there is an angel holding a cross, both of which represent Christianity. Under emperor Maurice Tiberius's rule, the…