THE ANCIENT COINS OF THE NATIONAL CULTURAL
HISTORY MUSEUM, PRETORIA.
Introduction
First of all, a brief history of the collection of ancient coins, which evidently consists of ad hoc
donations, unsystematic purchases, presumably the result of a lack of appropriate funding or policy
strategy for such artefacts, two significant donations, the largest by far a bequest of J.H. de Villiers
Roos, and a smaller collection redirected here from the Sammy Marks Museum. The provenance of
individual acquisitions is sometimes confirmed by notes such as:
 a letter of Mrs Shaw dated 1958, a former employee of the SA Museum in Cape Town, in which
she donated 8 Roman imperial coins (2nd - 4th centuries AD), 1 Greek coin and 3 Byzantine
coins.
 “Received from the Archaeological section, 7th September 1988”
 “Purchased from Mrs Brits, 1 Greek coin & 2 Roman coins, May 1977”
 “Constantine IX, bronze ca. 1054, purchased from Muntkor, Pretoria, at R20, October 1975”
 “Parthian coin, ‘picked up’ from the sand”.
The de Villiers Roos Bequest
Jacob de Villiers Roos was born near Stellenbosch in 1869, settled permanently in Pretoria in 1900.
Initially a journalist, he studied law, was admitted to the Cape Bar, then was an attorney in the
Transvaal republic. In December 1908 he was appointed Secretary to the Law Department, and a
month later Director of Prisons, posts he held until 1918 when he was made Controller and AuditorGeneral of the Union of SA. He retired in 1929. He had a keen interest in history, was a collector of
books - his collection now resides in the Merensky Library, University of Pretoria - and coins and
medallions from ancient to modern times. He died in Pretoria in 1940. In his will he left his
considerable numismatic collection to the then Transvaal Museum. The provisions of the will were
as follows (extract dated 8.8.1941 from File T[ransvaal]M[useum] 19/39):
Clause regarding the placing of the coin collection, from the will of Mr J. de Villiers Roos,
to the Transvaal Museum. To the Transvaal Museum Pretoria my collection of coins and
medallions, with the understanding that the best pieces be displayed within one year, with
suitable provision against theft, after that, my two previously mentioned children may choose
for themselves two gold pieces each from the collection.
There is no record that such exhibition ever took place, and it is quite possible that the effects of war
intervened. Moreover, a consolidated list or catalogue of the bequest does not appear to have existed
in 1940, nor was one attempted after the coins and medallions became a permanent possession of the
Museum until the recent inventory of 1998-1999. The ancient coins, which form a small part of the
total, were then first noted and my own role was to identify where doubts existed and make the
collection coherent. The coins were originally housed in a cabinet in a small office in the museum
when it occupied a building in Boom Street next to the entrance to the Pretoria Zoo. I came across it
then when I asked to borrow some coins for a Classics exhibition in 1991. Soon after that, the whole
building suffered severe water damage from burst pipes to such an extent that, rather than make
renovations to the building, the entire museum was closed, its exhibits placed in storage. The staff of
the Museum were transferred into temporary accommodation in what was a converted student
residence in the former Teacher Training College in Beatrix Street, Sunnyside. The ancient coins
went with the staff. I next saw the coin collection in a walk-in safe on the first floor of this makeshift
arrangement - so makeshift that it lasted nearly a decade - and it was there that the inventory and
cataloguing was carried out. Since 2000 the collection has been rehoused in the African Window
Museum, which occupies the former SA Mint in Central Pretoria (cn. Bosman and Visagie Streets).
The coins remain inside a walk-in safe in the basement under tight security. To date, few of the
ancient coins have ever been displayed, and then only as part of wider subject such as “history of
money”. There is no permanent display cabinet for the ancient coins and probably never will be. The
policy and direction of the Museum seem to rule out such as display especially with the current state
of curtailed budgets.
Sammy Marks
The Sammy Marks component was added only in 1999 when the museum of the same name passed
this small collection over to the Numismatic Section of the Cultural Museum. Marks was a
prominent local businessman and landowner and a contemporary of de Villiers Roos. The Sammy
Marks Museum is situated in the eastern suburbs of Pretoria, where this small collection was clearly
held, although never displayed.The collection consists entirely of Roman coins, eight from the
republican period and eight imperial, mostly bronzes. The republican pieces are all third century BC,
and probably emanate from one source. The imperial coins include two denarii of the emperors
Domitian and Trajan. How or when Marks acquired them is not recorded.
Italian Bronzes from the Sammy Marks Estate
There is a small collection of eight early Italian/Sicilan bronzes, which deserves note since these are
relatively uncommon, and hence presumably acquired together from a common source. Italian in
geographical location but Hellenistic in attributes, these low denomination bronzes are:
1) Triens with helmeted head of Minerva, oooo on top part of helmet; ROMA in exergue on reverse,
prow of ship, late 2nd century early 1st century BC.
2) Litra with helmeted head of beardless Mars r., Corinthian helmet. Reverse with Pegasus r., below
ROMANO. Date 270-260 BC (for similar see Crawford, 1974, 1.143, Pl. 27/3/4; CMRR 50).
3) Diademed head of Poseidon on obverse, on reverse, trident with dolphin either side ІЕRΩΝΟΣ
Date 264-241 BC issued during the First Punic War by Hieron II of Syracuse.
4) Similar to 3) with no legend visible (compare types CMRR 107-108, Pl. 34/4).
5) On the obverse, Dioscuri or Dei Penates Publici, Nude figure, probably Hercules, holding staff in
l. hand and r. hand outstretched to rock on top of which a bird, RΗΓΙΟΝ (Rhegion in Calabria).
6) Helmeted head of Roma or Mars? On reverse wreath, ear of corn, legend on either side?
7) Laureate head of Hercules (?), on reverse Eagle. Rough edge at top of coin either damage to the
original or even a modern copy.
8) Figure on horse before standing figure. On reverse, horse standing l., palm tree behind.
The Roman imperial coins in chronological order are:
1) Bronze
2) Bronze
3) Bronze
4) Denarius
Obv: Augustus
Obv: Domitian
Obv: Domitian
Obv: Domitian - after AD 86
5) Denarius
6) Bronze
Obv: Trajan - after AD 115
Obv: Diocletian
7) Bronze/copper
8) Bronze/copper
Obv: Maximinus Daia (AD 305-310) as Caesar
Obv: Constantine the Great
Returning to the collection itself. A card index does exist, although it is unclear whether or not this is
the product of Roos= hobby, or the research of a museum official named Miss Joan Haughton, later
Mrs Maynard. In this index, in approximate chronological order, the “de Villiers Roos Collection” is
noted under the designated title ROME. There are 52 cards describing coins of varying value from
republican Aes Grave (ca. 200 BC) down to Constantius II (AD 337-361). There are a further 17
index cards concerned with coins, again from the “de Villiers Roos bequest” designated under the
title BYZANTIUM in no particular order from Arcadius (AD 395-408) to Michael IV (1034-1041).
The index like that for ROME may have been placed out of order, however, since it was originally
compiled. Under individual city names another section itemises coins mostly of the Greek and
Hellenistic periods: Antioch (2), Aegina (2), Antioch (2 - Roman), Bithynia (1), Cappadocia (2),
Carthage (1), Corinth (2), Egypt (4), Macedon (6), Mauretania (1), Metapontum (1), Parthia (1),
Rhodes (1), Syracuse (1), Phoenicia (2), Tyre (2), Syria (5 - Hellenistic & Roman), Athens (3),
Antioch (2 - Roman). Total: 41. Finally, there are also 22 index cards describing a much larger
number of coins originating in Palestine, mostly Roman or anti-Roman of the 1st century AD, all
under the designation JUDAEA. The number of coins appears to be about 111, some of which are
clearly not in a good condition. Total number of index cards: 52+17+41+22=132. Total number of
ancient/Byzantine coins = ca. 221. This total probably represents that section of the de Villiers Roos
bequest. The indexing has been thorough and the details particularly of visual elements are concise
and clear. This number clearly represents a substantial section of the entire collection, but other
elements and good specimens have obviously originated from elsewhere.
THE GREEK COINS1
There are seventeen Greek coins from the Classical period, the earliest dated from soon after 500
BC. The head of Arethusa adorns the obverse of the Syracusan monetary output. This is not,
however, an ancient coin (1), but a copy, Victorian or later, and used as a pendant. It could be
electrotype, though a copper based metal seems more likely. On the obverse is the head of Arethusa
wearing pendant ear-rings, a plain necklace with three (or could there be the customary four?)
dolphins around. On the reverse is a female deity in a quadriga l., crowned by a flying Victory; in
exergue, armour. The origin of this copy is unknown. The date of the original would be ca. 400 BC.
One of the earliest authentic Greek coins is a decadrachm of Metapontum in southern Italy (2), dated
to between 470 and 450 BC. Again the provenance of the coin is simply unrecorded, yet its condition
is very fine as the illustration plainly shows. On the obverse is the sheath of corn, with a border of
dots and the letter META signifying origin. The reverse, as is common for that period, is the incuse
form of the obverse design. A drachm of the early Classical period in Corinth (3), dates to much the
same time. Like (2) there is no history of its acquisition. On the obverse is the characteristic portrayal
of Pegasus l., with a whip below, and on the reverse the helmeted head of the goddess Athena facing
right (see Kraay, 1966, 82, no. 230). A second Corinthian drachm (4) has Pegasus in flight on the
obverse with Athena on the reverse with an amphora and hammer behind the head. These may be
control marks but also an indication of the mercantile foundation of this city state, one of the great
trading powers in ancient Greece. This coin probably belongs to the 4th century BC.
There are three Athenian coins in the collection. One of these (5) is a late drachm from the new
series of Athenian coinage of the first century BC, dating to the time of the Athenian rebellion
against Rome in 87/86 BC just before the city was sacked by Sulla. The type has the usual owl on the
reverse, with palm tree before and AΘE behind, and Athena on the obverse, but the goddess has a
much more classical appearance than she has on the more famous fifth century coinage. The other
two coins are obols, and, the first can be dated to 420-410 BC, issued in the midst of the
Peloponnesian War, has Athena on the obverse, helmeted, with three palm leaves decorating the
helmet. The reverse has the owl, associated with Athene as goddess of wisdom, walking AΘΕ,
downwards and olive leaves l. The second is rather worn, but it is possible to make out two palm
leaves on Athena=s helmet, and palm leaves above left of the owl. The date is probably also fifth
century BC. A drachm (7) from Lindos on Rhodes has, on its obverse, the god Helios (god of the
sun, identified with Apollo) facing, a fairly uncommon design at this time. On the reverse (7b) is the
characteristic rose of the island with LINDOS above (Seltman, 1933, Pl. 30, nos. 14-15). This
drachm is dated to the last decade of the fifth century BC, again a time of great instability in the
Aegean region. (see Kraay, 1966, 257, nos. 941-942 for similar examples).
Good quality coinage could be encountered from one end of the Mediterranean to the other. This
shekel (8) emanates from Carthage, originally a Phoenician colonial foundation, probably from the
fourth century BC. The obverse has the Phoenician goddess Tanit, which was “assimilated into the
1
The following catalogue necessarily focusses on some of the more interesting and better preserved specimens.
The coins are covered in chronological order in four categories: 1) Greek 2) Hellenistic 3) Roman Republic 4)
Roman Empire.
Greek goddess Persephone” (Carson, 1962, 75). She wears an elaborate necklace, pendant ear-rings
and a head-band similar to the diadem. The reverse (8b) has a superb image of a prancing horse, r.
(for similar types, see Carson, 1962, 75, and Pl. 8/134; Crawford, 1985,135, Pl. 47/1). A tetrobol
from Histiaea on Euboea (9)), dating to after 340 BC has the head of a female nymph on the obverse,
while on the reverse there is the stern of a ship, on which the same nymph, presumably, is shown
seated holding a stylus (for similar types, see Kraay, 1966, pp.93-94, no. 280). The front end of a
lion r., looking back over its shoulder, may be identified on this half-obol (10). The reverse is a half
incuse with two dots (10b). This issue may belong to as far afield as Cyprus, Caria, the Chersonese
or the Peloponnese and the date possibly fifth century BC (for similar types, see Carson,1962, 6, Pl.
1-2 (Lydia), 18, Pl. 38 (Colchis); Seltman, 1933, Pl. VI, nos. 1-4, Pl. XI, nos. 11-13, Pl. XII, no. 2).
A nearly identical-sized coin, also silver, has a female head to l., with a wolf walking l., with a long
tail. Star above back, mark in front. AРΓΟ (Argos?). Roughly the same size, but the obverse has the
head of a bull facing, horns clearly visible. The reverse has a female head or bust r., with earring and
hair tied at the base of the neck and, if Phocian, could represent Artemis, with what appears to be an
Ф under the chin. The size and style seems to indicate a half drachm, and dated to between 475 and
420 BC (cf. Kraay, 1966, 464, no. 407).2 Of similar metal and size this coin’s obverse is indistinct,
but could be a bird perhaps an owl. The reverse is half incuse with a geometric design which would
seem to rule out an Athenian coin. A larger silver coin, probably a drachm and has on the obverse the
Chimaera and on the reverse a dove. Dated to between 440 and 420 BC, it belongs to Sicyon (cf.
Kraay, 1966, 98-99, no. 300, Carson, 1962, 44-45, Pl. 93).
From Tyre dated to 420-410 BC a shekel with the god Melkarth on the obverse. Melkarth is
portrayed riding over the waves on a hippocamp r., dolphin below. On the reverse there is a horned
owl or hawk carrying a crook and flail. Around a raised border of dots (cf. Kraay, 1966, 280-281,
287-288, nos. 1049-1050; Seltman, 1933, Pl. 41, no. 15). This appears to be a glass copy of a drachm
or half-obol, with the obverse a bee, the reverse has a stag r., with a quiver (?), types characteristic of
Ephesus. The original would have dated any time after 400 BC (Carson, 1962, 8, Pl. 8-10; Kraay,
1966, 51-57, Pl. 10; Seltman, 1933, Pl. 30, no. 6). On the reverse note TA-YP and Λ.
Finally, two coins of neighbouring Persia complete this section. Both belong to the Roman period in
the Mediterranean, but are noted here for convenience. This coin (11) was “picked up near Que Que
S.R.” and donated to the Museum. Kwe Kwe in southern Zimbabwe is a gold and iron mining town.
The king portrayed on the obverse, within a border of dots, is Arsaces XX (Bardanes) who ruled in
the second century AD, a time of decline in the fortunes of the Parthian kingdom. The reverse has the
king enthroned and surrounded by a legend, even in these times, in Greek. The size of the coin is also
comparable with a the Greek tetradachm, though considerably lighter in weight (Carson, 1962, 9394, Pl. 174-175).What this coin of Arsaces XX was doing in Que Que we shall never know! Nor do
we have a date of acquisition although, since it is to be found in a small box, it appears to be another
singleton donated or sold to the collection. This tretradrachm (12) was coined for Vologases III (AD
147-191) who is shown on the obverse. The reverse has two figures, perhaps Victory crowning the
king, with the legend in Pehlvi script.
THE HELLENISTIC PERIOD
There are twenty-one coins of the period from the reign of Alexander the Great (336-323 BC) to the
first century BC in the Eastern Mediterranean, the kingdoms of Ptolemaic Egypt, Seleucid Syria,
Macedonia and smaller states such as Cappadocia. Most of the coins are silver multiples of the
drachm, dating to the last years of Alexander and minted at Babylon, or of the first Ptolemy who
established himself as king in Egypt from 304 BC. On the obverse (13), ostensibly the head of
Herakles, but with the features of Alexander. The reverse has Zeus seated holding an eagle in his
right hand. The legend reads simply ALEXANDER, and needed nothing else since this money had
become as universal as the king.
2
For the Phocian types in general see Williams, 1972, especially 87-88, and Pl. 4, R62..
Ptolemy Lagos (14), friend and general of Alexander made himself king in Egypt, and quite contrary
to Greek tradition married his sister Berenice. He thus acquired the nickname “Soter” or “sisterlover”, and is seen portrayed here with her as his queen. This is another singleton in the collection
and an earring. Its origin is not recorded and one wonders if there were ever two and if so what was
on the other lobe, so to speak. Moreover, did the owner realise that he/she wore a fine reminder of
famous incest! They ruled Egypt together from 304 and Berenice, born ca. 340 outlived her husband
who died in 383/2 by some years. The small change of Ptolemaic Egypt was rather large in size,
great weighty pieces of bronze circulated alongside the often equally large silver denominations. On
the obverse (15) a bearded Zeus and usually on the reverse (15b) the eagle astride a thunderbolt,
cornucopia before, and the legend “Of Ptolemy the King”. Not Ptolemy I however, more likely a late
third century descendant, between 250 and 200 BC. Another “sister-lover” when he married Arsinoe
II about 276, Ptolemy II (285-246 BC) probably Ptolemaic Egypt’s ablest kings. His portrait, on the
obverse, (16) owes much to Alexander, adorns this large silver piece - a tetradrachm - with the eagle
(16b) on the thunderbolt on the reverse and the simple legend “Of Ptolemy the King”. Demetrius I
Soter (162-150), (17), raised in Rome and one of the last Syrian kings of any talent or vigour. Killed
in battle by the usurper Alexander Balas. This coin has been cleaned in a peculiar way and looks as if
it has been thoroughly waxed. Poor cleaning of the coins is another common fault in this collection either by Roos himself or by later museum employees.
Melqart (Melkarth or Marduk/Bel) was the Phoenician god most associated with the city of Tyre as
in this instance (18). “The ruler of the city” became equated with Herakles, as is fairly clear from this
personification. The date between 126 and 64 when Tyre was an independent state before
incorporation into the Roman empire by Pompey. This particular coin also hung around someone’s
neck. Nicomedes II Epiphanes, king of Bithynia 149-127 (19), “friend and ally” of Rome with coin
portraits of the highest artistic merit, although this particular coin is a little suspect since it appears to
be a low denomination bronze rather than a multiple of the drachm which should be silver. Finally,
not a coin of Alexander but a fine tetradrachm of Perseus (20), Macedonian king (179-168), and of a
Roman quaestor in the province of Achaea named Aesillas (21), as the reverse plainly shows, dated
to either ca. 90 or more likely to the late 70's.3
THE ROMAN REPUBLIC
There are twenty-nine identifiable coins datable to the Roman Republic, third to first centuries BC.
Fifteen are denarii, of which one, at least, is a modern copy, though interesting for all that, and two
are early second century victoriati, while the remainder are bronzes of various denominations,
including Aes Grave from the earliest period of Roman coinage (275-250 BC). As with the Greek
and Hellenistic specimens in the collection, the origin of the coins may be traced to either De Villiers
Roos or to random acquisition or gifts. There are also the eleven coins from the small collection of
Sammy Marks.
The Earliest Bronzes
The first early bronze (22) is a cast Triens, 91.23 gms; diam. 25 mm. Has a thunderbolt on the
obverse, and Dolphin on the reverse, with sickle above (for similar varieties see Sutherland, 1974,
25; Crawford, 1974, no. 14/3, 1.134, 25/6, 1.142, 280-235 BC). The Head of the god Janus replaced
Jupiter=s thunderbolt on the obverse by the end of the third century (23), and the prow of a ship
appears regularly on the reverse (cf. Crawford, 1974, 1.110-2), with ROMA in exergue. A massive
coin (24 and 24b), which was obviously cast not punched, as became the usual method of
production, 7.5 cm in diameter with an elaborate head of a bearded Janus, with a reverse which may
purport to be the prow of a ship but appears as a mirror image, making it seem more like a writing
3
Mattingly, 1979, 154-155.
desk with a quill in an inkwell on the top, is a nineteenth century copy or later. The coin has a
copper-blue colour, but hardly any wear or tear.
The Two Victoriati
The victoriatus was introduced at roughly the same time as the denarius, about 212-211 BC, and was
initially worth : of denarius (later 2), and was intended to circulate in areas under Roman control
where the Greek drachm was the dominant unit. By the 170's this experiment in a double fiscal
system had been abandoned, however; and the denarius became the basic unit of money for over five
hundred years eventually throughout the Roman empire. On this example (25 and 25b), dated to the
late 190's, the regular features of the victoriatus are evident: on the obverse, a laureate head of Jupiter
facing right, with a border of dots around the coins, on the reverse, Victory is portrayed crowning a
trophy between which are the letters “ME” (on the other victoriatus in the collection “TA”), with
ROMA in exergue (for similar see Crawford, 1974, Vol. 1.208-209). The ME (and TA) represent the
initials of the moneyers - officials responsible for the Roman mint, here perhaps a Caecilius
Metellus, a son of the consul of 206 BC, and a Baebius Tamphilus, possibly the praetor of 168, or
another member of that family.
The Early Denarii
The earliest denarius (26) in the collection is, in fact, represented by a modern copy used as a
pendant. The denarius type copied has been dated to about 155 BC (Crawford,1974, 1.245), and the
moneyer, from the initials SAR, possibly an Atilius Serranus (cf. Sex. Atilius Serranus, consul 136).
The obverse has the usual early denarius type of a helmeted head of the goddess Roma, before X,
denoting ten asses to the denarius; the reverse has a deity (Victory) in a biga of horses, holding a
whip in right hand and reins in left, beneath horses’ legs SAR; in exergue, ROMA. The earliest
genuine denarius (27) is that belonging to C. Scribonius Curio, dated to the next year 154 BC
(Crawford, 1974, 1.246), with similar obverse to (26) and dotted border, but with the Dioscuri
(Castor & Pollux) on the reverse, with CSCR below, and a line border. The last of this trio (28)
belongs to about 136 BC, the mint official L. Antestius Gragulus, (Crawford, 1974, 1.269), GRAG
appears on the obverse behind Roma, in front which an * denoting a retariffing of the denarius to 16
asses, and a border of dots. On the reverse, a variation in portrait is evident with Jupiter in a quadriga
facing right, holding a sceptre and reins in l. hand, hurling a thunderbolt with his r. hand. Below
LANTES, ROMA in exergue, with a border of dots.
End of the Second century BC
In the last third of the second century BC the silver denarius increasingly breaks away from its
regulated format of Roma on the obverse, and the portrayals of a limited number of deities on the
reverse. The mint officials in Rome clearly had great freedom of action in chosing and executing
designs and legends as the following examples illustrate. The level of innovation in the next century
is impressive for both originality and conception. The denarius (29) of RVF (Q. Minucius Rufus), on
the obverse, with Roma before X, shows a striking conservative reaction to recent artistic
developments on the denarius (Crawford, 1974,1.296), dated to 122 BC, following recent political
unrest in the city. The reverse, with a line border, harks back to the Dioscuri, the heavenly twins and
guardians of the city, and below, QMINV, ROMA in exergue. Less than two decades later, ca. 106
(Crawford, 1974, 1.302) Roma has been replaced, on this serrated issue (30), by the Dei Penates
Publici (“gods of the state’s storehouses” another manifestation of the Dioscuri), with DPP
downards before, and a border of dots. On this issue the reverse is incuse (cf. examples in the
Münzkabinett, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Drawer no. 6 where two of the six specimens
have no reverse. My thanks to Prof. Dr P. Dembski, of the Museum in Vienna for his kind help). On
other examples the obverse has a tableau of two standing male figures facing each other, each
holding a spear in their left hands and pointing with their right hands at a sacrifical sow lying
between them; and with CSVLPICICF, the monyer C. Sulpicius Galba. Errors in the production
process could evidently occur even when that process was highly sophisticated.
First Century BC
Great diversity is the order of the day for the denarii produced in the first half of the first century,
that period also called the “Late Republic”, represented in the Collection by issues produced between
90 and 77 BC. The first of this series (31) is interesting: male bust draped or full head of hair, palm
leaf to right, with a border of dots on the obverse, on the reverse, goddess (Minerva?) in a quadriga
to r., [B]IVSC only is identifiable of the moneyer=s name. This may be a denarius of C. Vibius
Pansa, dated to 90 BC (Crawford, 1974, 1.346) which was an enormous issue coined during the last
stages of Rome=s war with its allies in Italy. No similar obverse is present among the 81 specimens
in the Münzkabinett, Kunsthistorisches Museum,Vienna (Drawer 6, II typ/1), but could be a variant
of Apollo portrayed on some (Crawford, Pl. XLIV no. 342/5b), or a portrayal of the Numen Romanus
(Roman spirit). On the denarius (32) of L. Rubrius Dossenus, 87 BC, a laureate head of Jupiter with
sceptre over shoulder appears on the obverse, and on the reverse there is a triumphal quadriga which
has a thunderbolt decoration on a sidepanel, above which flies a Victory with a wreath, and
LRVBRI (Crawford, 1974, 1.362). A rather neutral male head adorns the denarius (33) of L. Iulius
Bursio, 85 BC, although it also has attributes of Apollo, Neptune and Mercury, with Victory in a
quagdriga on the reverse, reins in left hand and a wreath in the right, LIVLIBVRSIO in exergue
(Crawford, 1974,1.368). On the denarius (34) of the curule aedile, P. Furius Crassipes, 84 BC, is a
head of Cybele (goddess of the harvest) wearing a turreted crown, on the reverse, the bench
(subsellium) of the curule aediles with the chairs of office, in exergue, PFOVRIVSCRASSIPES
(Crawford, 1974, 1.371). The head of Apollo features on the denarius (35), 84 BC, of C. Licinius
Macer (Crawford, 1974, 1.370), head to left with thunderbolt in right hand. On the reverse, Minerva
in a quadriga holding shield and reins in left hand and spear in her right. Macer, one of the few
identifiably historical figures from this section of the Roman coinage was a prominent politician and
writer of history, who committed suicide after being found guilty of extortion.
The head of Roma reappears on the denarius of C. Publicius, 80 BC, the helmet of whom is plumed
on each side, ROMA before, downwards. On the reverse is a tableau featuring Hercules strangling
the Nemean Lion (one of the ten labours), a club may be identified at his feet, bow and quiver
before; CPOPLICIQF upwards (Crawford, 1974, 1.396). The diademed head of Venus is
portrayed in the very next year, 79 BC, on the serrated denarius (36) of C. Naevius Balbus, with SC
( [ex] senatus consulto) downwards on the obverse, indicating that the Roman senate authorised
additional output of coin in this year for some unspecified reason (cf. Crawford, 1974, 2.606-609).
On the reverse Victory drives a triga of horses, holding the reins in both hands, with CNAEBALB
in exergue, and a line border (Crawford, 1974, 1.397). Finally in this group (37) the helmeted head of
Roma with FLACC behind and two crescent moons before. On the reverse, Victory in a biga, reins in
left hand, wreath in right, in exergue, LRVTILI, the moneyer L. Rutilius Flaccus (Crawford,
1974,1.403).
The earlier (45) of two late republican denarii belongs to the momentous year 44 BC, and minted just
prior to the murder of Julius Caesar on the Ides (15th ) of March. The obverse (38) portrays, in a very
monarchic fashion, the wreathed head of Caesar himself, before, CAESARIMP, and on the reverse,
Venus (one of the ancestors claimed by Caesar) holding Victory in r. hand, behind PSEPVLLIVS
downwards; before, MACER upwards. The moneyer was P. Sepullius Macer (Crawford, 1974,
1.487-495, see especially no. 480/5a). The later denarius (39) is one minted for M. Antony whose
head also appears on the obverse with the legend MANTOIMPRPC. (M. Anto<nius>
imp<erator> r<ei> p<ublicae> c<onstituendae>). On the reverse, the laureate head of Caesar,
since Antony claimed to be Caesar’s political heir; behind, CAESDIC(tator) (cf. Crawford, 1974,
1.498). The date must follow the passage of the lex Titia in November 43 which granted Antony,
with Octavian and Lepidus, powers to restore peace in the Roman state (R.P.C.).
THE ROMAN EMPIRE
There are a large number of Roman imperial coins, many of which show a great deal of wear and
tear, and as such are not really of much value either artistically or intrinsically. There is, however, a
good chronological spread from the beginning of the empire down to its Byzantine successor. The
coins of the Julio-Claudians (27 BC - AD 68) are mostly low denomination bronzes and worn.
Among the best from the collection are as follows.
A denarius dated to AD 74 (40) with, on the obverse, a bust of Vespasian (emperor AD 69-79) with
laurel wreath crown. The legend reads: IMP(erator) CAESAR VESPASIANUS AVG(ustus). On the
reverse is a seated male figure - Vespasian - holding branch and sceptre. Legend: PON(tifex)
MAX(imus) - chief priest -TR(ribunicia) P(otestate) COS V (consul for a fifth time) (cf. Carson,
1962, 137-140. A sestertius dated to AD 88 (41) with a bust of Domitian (emperor AD 81-96). The
legend reads: IMP(erator) CAES(ar) DOMIT(ianus) AVG(ustus) GERM(anicus) COS XIIII - consul
14 times - CENS PER - perpetual censor - P(ater) P(atriae) - father of his country. On the reverse
(41b) a male figure presumably Domitian is portrayed seated on a low bench distributing incense
(suffimentum) to a citzen accompanied by a child. A temple occupies the scene behind. The legend
reads: PONT(ifex) MAX(imus) TR(ibunicia) P(otestate) VIII LVD(i) SAEC(ulares). In exergue S C.
The distribution of purifying elements to the people by the quindecemviri sacris faciundis took place
before spectacles, in this case to celebrate centenary games. A rather worn denarius (42) dated to
between AD 106-111 has the bust of Trajan with laurel wreath crown and legend: IMP(erator)
CAES(ar) NERVAE TRAIANO AVG(ugustus) GER(manicus) DAC(icus) P(ontifex) M(aximus)
TR(ibunicia) P(otestate) COS V P(ater) P(atriae). Reverse: Dacia seated in attitude of mourning on
shield and armes, before a trophy. Legend: SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI. Dacia had been incorporated
into the Roman empire in 106. A sestertius dated after AD 118 (43) with a laureate head of Hadrian;
around, HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS P(ater) P(atriae). On the reverse (43b) FELICITAS SPQR.. In
exergue (44), COS III. Finally a denarius belonging to the 160's has the laureate head of Marcus
Aurelius. Around, M ANTONINVS AVG(ustus) TR(ibunicia) P(otestate) XXVIII. On the reverse,
Providentia/Salus with the legend: IMP(erator) VII COS IIII (Carson, 1962, 152).
Richard J. Evans, formerly Senior Lecturer in Ancient
History at Unisa, is now at Cardiff University. This paper
was delivered at the IV Classics Colloquium, April 2002.
Email: evansrj9@cardiff.ac.uk
APPENDIX: THE ANCIENT COINS OF THE NATIONAL CULTURAL HISTORY
MUSEUM PRETORIA
SOME ILLUSTRATIONS
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
8b
9
9b
10
10b
11
11b
18
19
21
22
22b
23
23b
24
25
26
Perseus (Last King of Macedonia 179-168 BC)
27
28
29
30
30b
31
31b
32
33
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
41b
43
44
45
46
47
48
48b
49
50
50b
51
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