The Roman Imperial period is characterized by the distinctive, lifelike numismatic portraits of its rulers. Each imperial visage is instantly recognizable to an experienced collector. The Stack’s Bowers Galleries Fall 2024 Collectors Choice Online Auction features a diverse array of Roman coinage struck with fine dies that show off the skill of Rome’s engravers.
Collectors of the popular “Twelve Caesars” will be pleased with the selection of coinage from Julio-Claudian emperors. Attractive portrait coins of Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero are all available for bidding. Skipping forward to the Flavian period, one finds a “Judaea Capta” commemorative Sestertius of Vespasian, one of the most iconic and collectible types of the Roman Imperial series. For anyone seeking a coin from the final of the “Twelve Caesars,” there is a lovely bronze As of Domitian featuring a portrait of particularly fine style.
Beautiful lifelike portrait coinage continued well into the 2nd century A.D., exemplified by gorgeous silver Denarii of Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius. Even later rulers such as Septimius Severus and Trajan Decius received attractive and highly individualized portrayals.
The onset of the Tetrarchy and subsequent Constantinian era eschewed such realistic depictions of living people, favoring a more abstract representational style that de-emphasized the individuality of the emperors. In time, the skill required to engrave realistic three-dimensional portraits was lost to the ages, only reemerging in Europe during the Renaissance. Thus, these coins serve as tangible expressions of Late Classical artistry.
These are just a few selections among the many interesting ancient coins offered in our Fall Collectors Choice Online Auction. Click here to browse the full catalog.
We are always seeking coins, medals, and paper money for our future auctions, and are currently accepting consignments for our January 2025 NYINC and Spring 2025 Hong Kong auctions. Additionally, we are accepting consignments for our Collectors Choice Online (CCO) auctions, the next for which we are currently accepting consignments will be in February 2025. If you would like to learn more about consigning, whether a singular item or an entire collection, please contact one of our consignment directors today and we will assist you in achieving the best possible return on your material.
