AE Sestertius of Antoninus Pius
money; coins (money)
Antoninus Pius was one of the “The Five Good Emperors” that helped the Roman Empire prosper under his rule. In that period the empire expanded in size and experienced a time of great peace. The front of coin displays the side profile of his face, adorned with a Civic Crown, symbolizing triumph or victory. On the reverse side of the coin is Annona, the goddess of grain for the city of Rome. Grain was one of the most important resources during that time. The coin symbolizes the Empire’s success and how important resources were plentiful under Antoninus Pius' rule.
Antoninus Pius, Emperor of Rome
Sear 4205; RIC 3-1031
ARTH250 (Professor V. Rousseau, Fall 2021)
158 CE
CO
University Art Collection, University of St. Thomas (St. Paul)
Bronze (metal)
Latin
Physical Object
2012.02.241
Roman Empire
AE Sestertius of Domitian
money; coins (money)
Domitian has gotten a bad rep as the paranoid successor of a popular father and brother. He was the second son of emperor Vespasian and the last of the Flavian Dynasty. His 15-year reign was marked by his strengthening of the Roman economy, a building program which included finishing the Colosseum, and defending the empire’s fringes. The face on this coin is centered and shows a great amount of wear and tear. The name sestertius means "two and one half", referring to its nominal value of two and a half asses (a bronze Roman coin, singular as), a value that was useful for commerce because it was one quarter of a denarius, a coin worth ten asses.
Domitian, Emperor of Rome
Sear 2766; RIC 2-358
ARTH250 (Professor V. Rousseau Fall 2021)
88 CE
RN
University Art Collection, University of St. Thomas (St. Paul)
Bronze (metal)
Latin
Physical object
2012.002.202
Roman Empire
Denarius of Roma
money; coins (money)
The obverse side of the coin features a personification of the city and empire of Roma wearing a helmet. On the reverse side of the coin, Roma appears again sitting on a pile of shields and accompanied by the legendary she-wolf is suckling Romulus and Remus in and surrounded by Birds. The she-wolf refers to the legendary founding of the city of Rome. Combined with Roma in her military garb, this is a powerful reference to the importance and ongoing conquest by the Roman empire.
Anonymous
Sydenham 530; Crawford 287/1
ARTH250 (Professor V. Rousseau, Fall 2020)
114 BCE
JRP, VR, SH
University Art Collection, University of St. Thomas (St. Paul)
Silver (metal)
Latin
Physical Object
2012.02.172
Roman Republic
AR Denarius of C. Memmius
money; coins (money)
Pictured on the obverse side is Quirinus, the deified Romulus, founder of Rome and is the God of thunder. On the back is Ceres, who is the Goddess of agriculture and of motherly relationships. The word Cerealia is written under her image, which is a seven day festival in ancient Rome to honor Ceres. There is an agricultural tool that she is shown holding. It is believed to represent her love for agriculture. Together, these images symbolize the founding and bounty of Rome
C. Memmius
Syd 1014
ARTH250 (Professor V. Rousseau, fall 2019
56 BCE
DC, SH
University Art Collection, University of St. Thomas (St. Paul)
Silver (metal)
Latin
Physical Object
2019.04.004
Roman Republic