International Coins

In the year 268, Caesar Marcus Aurelius Claudius Augustus, known as Claudius II Gothicus, assumed the Roman throne. Desperate for fresh army recruits, he decreed that young men remain unmarried, hoping that without the frivolous distraction of courtship,...

NGC Slab of AR quinarius of Celtic tribes in ancient Gaul, early Roman rule, c. 60-50 BCE.

It is appropriate that an Empress so mighty should issue the largest copper coin ever used in regular circulation. Weighing in at a massive 51 grams on average, these enormous 5-kopek copper coins are almost twice as heavy as U.S. silver dollars.

Carus succeeded Probus as emperor of Rome.

Carinus, was first appointed Caesar in 282 CE and then in 283 CE co-emperor by his father, the emperor Carus (282-283 CE). He was killed along with his father and co-emperor brother Numerian in an army coup organized by the future emperor Diocletian...

The son of Septimius Severus and Julia Domna, Caracalla assumed sole control of Rome after murdering his brother Geta in 211. A year later, he issued the famous Edict of Caracalla, granting full Roman citizenship, with all its attendant benefits, to all...

This bronze coin, class AE2, is an example of the anonymous Byzantine folles featuring the image of Jesus Christ, facing forwarda different style than Roman coins, which had portraits left- or right-facing. The reverse was originally a Greek inscription...

One of the notorious Thirty Tyrants, Aureolus was an able and efficient general, commanding armies under Gallienus. He attempted to usurp his benefactor in 268, allying himself with the great Postumus. He was captured in Milan by Claudius II Gothicus,...

Aurelian is known for reuniting the Empire after its fracture during the reign of Gallienus, and also for being the Father of Christmas. In the year 274, the winter solstice fell on 25 December. The Emperor Aurelian proclaimed that fixed date the Natalis...

Following the removal of Herod Archelaus, the province of Judaea was formally annexed into the Roman Empire by Emperor Augustus in 6 CE. Governance was handed over to Roman prefects (later known as procurators), who were authorized to issue local coinage...

The son of Valentinian I and the nephew of Valens, Gratian ascended to the throne of the Western Empire in 375. The early years of his reign were successful, as he ruled with great energy, and enjoyed a sterling reputation on the battlefield.

Flavius Arcadius was the elder son of Emperor Theodosius I and Aelia Flaccilla. Like many children of Roman Emperors, he was vain and weak, spoiled by growing up in luxury. Arcadius died in 408 in his palace at Constantinople.

Flavius Arcadius was the elder son of Emperor Theodosius I and Aelia Flaccilla. Like many children of Roman Emperors, he was vain and weak, spoiled by growing up in luxury. Arcadius died in 408 in his palace at Constantinople.

Flavius Arcadius was the elder son of Emperor Theodosius I and Aelia Flaccilla. Like many children of Roman Emperors, he was vain and weak, spoiled by growing up in luxury. Arcadius, who was eighteen, was easily manipulated by a conniving Roman officer...

Himyar was a tribe that occupied the coastal region of modern-day Yemen what the Romans called Arabia Felix, or Fertile Arabia. The Himyarites coalesced into a kingdom by 110 BCE. In the first century AD, when this silver drachm was struck, the Himyar...

Hadrian s adopted son and heir, Antoninus Pius was notable for one reason: his pacifism. It was said of Antoninus that, not only did he never command an army in his 23 years on the throne, but he never so much as inspected a garrison. He built the Antonin

Anastatius came to the throne at the age of 61 after being chosen by the wife of his predecessor, Zeno. He is often recognized as the first Byzantine emperor. His reign was characterised by improvements in the government, economy, and bureaucracy in the...

Herod Agrippa I was the ruler of the Roman province of Juda during the crucifixion, which modern astronomers have calculated took place on Friday, April 3, 33 CE. A confederate of the deranged Roman Emperor Caligulawho believed himself to be the Jewish

By the time of his last visit to Jerusalem ca. AD 58, Paul of Tarsus had made enough enemies that his mere presence at the Temple instigated a riot. At the urging of the local Jewish leaders, he was arrested and sent to the provincial capital of...

Born in Hispania, the Roman Empress Aelia Flaccilla was the wife of Theodosius the Great and the mother of the emperors Arcadius and Honorius. Like her pious husband, she was a staunch Christian. The theologian Theodoret quoted her as saying: To...

Born in Hispania, the Roman Empress Aelia Flaccilla was the wife of Theodosius the Great and the mother of the emperors Arcadius and Honorius. Like her pious husband, she was a staunch Christian. The theologian Theodoret quoted her as saying: To...

Aelia Eudoxia was the wife of the Roman Emporor Arcadius. The controversial marriage was arranged by a court eunuch called Eutropius, whom she later had executed. One of her sons took the throne as Theodosius II. She died during childbirth in the year...

When we think of ancient Rome, we think first of the gladiators. These professional fighters delighted frenzied crowds in the Colosseum, doing battle with wild animals, with condemned criminals, and with one another, sometimes fighting to the death. The...