A fan of Alexander the Great
Many Roman politicians adored the conquerer of the world, Alexander the Great. The emperor Caracalla was no exception...
The People of Zurich and Their Money 2: The Customs Station of Turicum
Our series takes you along for the ride as we explore the Zurich of times past. This time, you’ll get a chance to read about two men chatting with one another at the customs station of Turicum at the end of the 2nd century AD. Much like a good DVD, this conversation comes with a sort of ‘making of’ – a little numismatic-historical backdrop to help underscore and illustrate this conversation.
Emperor Probus – Numismatic images of his reign
On September 14, 2018, the Philippe Gysen collection of barracks emperors’ antoniniani will be auctioned off at Paul-Francis Jacquier. The collection proves that one single person can advance research if he chooses his collecting field wisely.
The sacrilege of Tarpeia – or propaganda under Augustus
Augustus’ reign went down in history as a Golden Age even though hardly any other emperor had more lives on his conscience. How did the “Prince of Peace” who continuously fought wars make his citizens believe that they lived in the happiest of all worlds?
Gods Unto Themselves? Augustus and Caligula
The image of the Temple of Augustus on the sestertii of Caligula is among the most beautiful architectural motifs found on Roman coins. In its upcoming auction, Numismatica Genevensis is offering the finest known specimen of this fascinating issue.
The sacred year of the Pagans – the Saecular Games
When the Pope declares a jubilee year, he stands in a tradition which is almost as old as Christianity itself. It was Augustus who created the practice of absolving mankind when nobody was still alive of those who had witnessed the beginning of the previous saeculum...
The ‘Modest Aphrodite’ from Nysa-Scythopolis (Beth Shean) and Ptolemais (Akko)
A comparison between a statue of Aphrodite found at Beth Shean and a coin type from the mint of Ptolemais reminds us of the realistic nature of statues appearing on city coins.
Taxes for Rome
Hands up anyone who hasn’t come to be annoyed by the tangled mass of regulations accompanying our tax collection. Perhaps at different times, the situation had been better… Perhaps in Rome?
The usurper Proculus and his coinage
Umberto Moruzzi and Fabio Scatolini will tell you the story of the Roman usurper Proculus of whom we have only two coins left. Both items were hotly discussed and if you want to learn about the coins’ authenticity and 15 century fantasy coins, read this article.
Pilgrim’s Ring and Coin of the Jewish War
This is the story of a ring, bought from an Arab in Jerusalem, the feasts of Shavout and Sukkot and a coin of the Jewish War...