The coins of the Twelve Caesars, a group of Roman rulers are considered amongst the most admired ancient coins. Many historians have written about these rulers through various biographies. Coin collectors always strive to collect the entire set of the 12 Caesars.
Let us take a look at the Twelve Caesars. Julius Caesar and his successor, Augustus (Octavian) were the most popular emperors who established the Empire, Tiberius reigned during the life of Christ. Caligula, Claudius and Nero were eccentric emperors and who were part of the Julio- Claudian Dynasty. The civil war erupted in the summer of 67 AD and this dynasty fell. After the prolonged war that went on for two years, four men, Galbo, Otho, Vitellius and Vespasian, were hailed emperors by the senate in 69 AD.
Last to rule were the three emperors who formed the Flavian Dynasty. After Vespasian his two sons Titus and Domitian came to power. After the murder of Domitian, the period of the Twelve Caesars came to an end and a new era of Roman history began.
Julius Caesar. Aristocratic Romans bore three names. Like Gaius Julius Caesar, born 13 July 100 BCE, son of Gaius Julius Caesar, died 85 BCE belonged to the Caesares family of the Julian clan. He made the name "Caesar" not merely famous, but a title that would endure foe millennia, becoming "Kaiser" in German and "Tsar" in Russian.
To pay his armies he struck an immense issue of silver denarii bearing his name beneath an elephant on the obverse, the most common coin in his name. Romans, however, were uncomfortable with a living person on coinage. Thereafter, few other coins were struck too, but none bear his portrait. He was stabbed to death on 14 March, 44 BCE.
Obverse: Emblems of the pontificate: simpulum, aspergillum, axe and apex
Reverse: Elephant walking right, trampling dragon, border dots, CAESAR.
Augustus (Octavius). The assassination of Caesar renewed the civil war, which ended 17 years later when his grandnephew Octavius received the title of "Augustus" from the Senate. He was born in 63 BCE and was 18 years old when Caesar was murdered.
Obverse: Laureate Caesar head, right, Reverse: Sphinx seated right, Augustus
Tiberius. The son of Octavius's wife Livia by a previous marriage succeeded Augustus. Although he lived for 75 years, his coins portrait remained youthful and idealized. Tiberius was unhappily married to Julia, daughter of Augustus. The coinage of Tiberius is relatively common but standardized compared to the different types issued by Augustus. The denarius of Tiberius was destined to become one of the most famous ancient coins. Biblical scholars generally consider the "Tribute Penny" of the Gospel story to be the current denarius of Tiberius.
Obverse: Laureate head of Tiberius right
Reverse: Radiate head of Augustus right
Gaius, called Caligula. He was born in 12 AD. His father Germanicus, nephew of Tiberius, was a popular General. Caligula means 'little boots', because as a child he wore a miniature uniform including military boots, to the delight of his father. His gold and silver coins are scarce.
Bust of Caligula
Obverse: Head of Caligula, right, legend translation, Gaius Caesar, emperor, conqueror of the Germans, high priest, holder of tribunician power
Claudius. After Caligula was murdered in 41 AD, his uncle Claudius aged 51 was declared as emperor by the Praetorian Guard. He was slightly deaf, had a limp and regarded as not too bright, but he was the last surviving male of the Imperial family. He, however proved to be a successful ruler for the next 13 years.
Obverse: Head of Claudius, left, translation of legend, Tiberius Claudius Caesar, emperor, high priest, holder of tribunician power, supreme commander, father of nation
Reverse: Minerva, helmeted and draped, right, javelin in right hand and shield in left, lettering SC, Senatus Consultum
Nero. Upon becoming emperor Nero showed his gratitude to his mother by killing her. Nero was not a family man. He also murdered his aunt, his ex-wife, and a half-brother who had a claim to the throne. In popular culture Nero is remembered as the depraved emperor who 'fiddled while Rome burned'. In numismatics, Nero is remembered as the depraved emperor who debased the coinage. His gold coins are available in large numbers.
Obverse; Head of Nero, right, translation, Nero Caesar and emperor
Reverse: Jupiter, bare to waist, cloak round lower limbs, seated, left on throne, holding thunderbolt in right hand and long scepter in left
Galba. Nero's suicide resulted in another outbreak of civil war, remembered as the "Year of Four Emperors". Galba, born in 3 BCE, was proclaimed emperor by his legions. The Roman Senate concurred. His reign lasted only seven months, from June 68 to January 69. His coins were struck in Spain, Gaul and Rome.
Obverse: Head of Galba, right
Otho. Born in 32 AD, Marcus Salvius Otho was one of the wild young aristocrats. Nero made him divorce his wife and sent him to Lusitania (now Portugal) where he joined Galba's revolt in 68 AD. When his hopes to be designated as Galba's successor were not successful, he conspired to kill the emperor. His rule lasted three months in 69 AD. The Roman mint nevertheless produced a lot of coinage in this brief period. He was defeated in battle and committed suicide.
Vitellius, was born in 14 AD, and was appointed as commander of the legions on the German frontier. He defeated Otho's forces and occupied Rome in June 69. He lasted for eight months, feasting up to four times a day on costly imported delicacies. When the legions of the East under general Vespasian advanced on Rome, he was hunted down and killed. His coinage is quite scarce.
Vespasian. Born in 9 AD, he was the son of a humble tax official. He rose through the ranks of the civil and military and distinguished himself in the invasion of Britain in 43 AD. In 67 AD, Nero sent him to crush a revolt in Judaea. On July1, 69 AD, the legions proclaimed him emperor. There are many stories about his sense of humour. He ruled for ten years.
Domitian. He was the last of the Twelve Caesars and nearly the end of the first century of the Common Era. Born in 51 AD, he was about 30 when he succeeded his elder brother Titus His coinage was prolific, most abundant of the "Twelve" and even in gold, collectable examples are common.
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