Sestertius of Trajan Decius
money; coins (money)
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 whom he co-ruled for one year. Despite his short reign, he wears a laurel wreath crown as a symbol of triumph. The reverse side features a winged figure representing Victory. In its right hand, the figure holds a wreath like the one the emperor wears, with a palm in its left hand, two additional symbols of victory. The victorious imagery does not reflect the era of political turmoil.
Trajan Decius, Emperor of Rome
Sear 9409; RIC 108a
ARTH250 (Professor V. Rousseau, Fall 2021)
249 CE
MG
University Art Collection, University of St. Thomas (St. Paul)
Bronze (metal)
Latin
Physical Object
2012.02.230
Roman Empire
AR Denarius of Julius Caesar
money; coins (money)
Julius Caesar was a Roman dictator, politician and military general who instigated the rise of the Roman Empire. Julius Caesar was one of the first to put his own image on the coins though this coin is more traditional with an image of Venus, to whom Caesar traced his lineage, showing his divine ancestry. The imaging on these coins conveyed that Caesar had power. On the reverse is a trophy (captured armor) and fearful prisoners of war.
Julius Caesar
Craw 479/1
ARTH250 (Professor V. Rousseau, fall 2019)
49-44 BCE
DC, VR, SH
University Art Collection, University of St. Thomas (St. Paul)
Silver (metal)
Latin
Physical Object
2012.02.097
Roman Republic
AU Solidus of Constans II
money; coins (money)
The late Roman/Byzantine ruler Constans II was also called Constantine the Bearded. He is depicted with long beard and moustache, wearing a crown and chlamys (a short, fine woolen mantle worn by men in ancient Greece) and holding globus cruciger, a cross-bearing orb and a symbol of authority. The reverse shows a cross potent, also known as a crutch cross, is a form of heraldic cross with crossbars at the four ends, on top of three steps. CONOB on the back of the coin means "Constantinopoli obryzum," or in other words, “Byzantine Coinage.”
Constans II, Emperor of Constantinople
ARTH250 (Professor V. Rousseau, fall 2019)
641-668 CE
MIA
University Art Collection, University of St. Thomas (St. Paul)
Gold (metal)
Greek
Physical Object
2019.04.014
Roman Empire, Byzantine Empire
AR Denarius of Albinus Bruti
money; coins (money)
This coin is from the time of the Roman Republic and was intended to follow family tradition which created a coin with legendary ancestry. On the obverse side it is the head of a politician of ancient Rome named, A. Postumius Albinus while he was Consul. This is very unusual because it was most coins displayed the heads of Roman gods during this time period. The reverse side has vines with leaves representing a victory crown portraying Rome which surrounds the words Albinv Brutif.
Albinus Bruti
Craw 450/3A
ARTH250 (Professor V. Rousseau, fall 2019)
49-48 BCE
MM
University Art Collection, University of St. Thomas (St. Paul)
Silver (metal)
Roman
Physical Object
2012.02.091
Roman Republic
AR Denarius of A. Manlius Q.F. Sorgianus
money; Coins (money)
The obverse side of the coin features either an abstract personification of Rome itself or a reference to Minerva the Roman goddess of wisdom, medicine, commerce, the fine arts, and later, war. The reverse side features a rare frontal view of either Sol Invictus or Jupiter wearing a crown and standing in attendance with their chariot drawn by four horses abreast. Both the obverse and reverse sides of the coin work together to prove Rome's military might on horseback which is supported by the gods.
A. Manlius Q.F. Sorgianus
Craw 309/1, Syd 543
ARTH250 (Professor V. Rousseau, fall 2019)
108 BCE
Tatum Whiteford
University Art Collection, University of St. Thomas (St. Paul)
silver (metal)
Latin
Physical Object
2019.02.033
Rome, Roman Republic