Greek Imperial aka Roman Provincial Coins Explained By Expert on Video

Guide to Roman Provincial / Greek Imperial Ancient Coins and Collection – ARTICLE with VIDEO‏

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhEaTZQrtW0

Learn about the amazing ancient Roman coins of the provinces of Greece and beyond

The Roman Empire spread way beyond Italy in ancient times. The territories under their control were allowed to keep their culture and their Greek language. They were also allowed to issue coins locally. These coins had Greek inscriptions on them, a lot of the times and include a myriad of reverses that were important to the local people living in the area.
The standard reference work on these coins is Greek Imperial Coins And Their Values by David R. Sear. This work is a great bird’s eye view of many Greek Imperial or otherwise known as Roman Provincial coins. Every emperor is included there, including some cultures that were present during the times of the Roman empire. Additional references are given to coins that were quasi-autonomous, or in other words, struck without the portrait of the emperor. Some of them are interesting and feature the portrait of the Roman Senate and Roma.
Overall, this is an interesting subject to learn about, explore and to collect. The advantage is that you can have reverse designs that you would not have on the Roman Imperial coins themselves, which featured strictly Roman motifs most of the time. Also to note, that some emperors, which are at times referred to as usurpers only issued coins in the province or city under their control. So you can only have a Roman provincial coin of them. Another benefit of Roman provincial coins is that they feature portraits of the imperial family which are otherwise not present on Roman Imperial coins. So, in conclusion, Greek Imperial or Roman Provincial coins made an amazing addition and make any ancient Roman coin collection more complete and more fascinating.
You can find a selection of over 1000 Roman provincial ancient coins not listed here. Seeing them is very simple by clicking here to go to my store, and then scrolling down to the appropriate Ancient ROMAN PROVINCIAL Coins  category. There is more than one so it is great to check both out. You can also get more familiar with how to use my store by clicking here.

An Overview of Different Ancient Roman Provincial / Greek Imperial Coins

This section features a selection of 27 different ancient coin types that are covered in my video above. You can learn a lot more about them by exploring my eBay store. I just picked out some of the nicest quality, and some of the rarest Roman provincial coins that I have. One of them even being a type that I believe may be a unique or unpublished example. You can learn a lot from the coins given below. Enjoy.

CALIGULA 37AD Silver Drachm Caesarea Cappadocia Ancient Roman Coin i43636 RARE

Caligula – Roman Emperor: 37-41 A.D.
Silver Drachm 17mm (3.49 grams) mint of Caesarea in Cappadocia
Reference: Sear GIC 397; RSC 12; Sydenham 48; S. 48; B.M.C. 102; R.I.C. 8
C. CAESAR AVG. GERMANICVS, Bare head right.
IMPERATOR PONT. MAX. AVG. TR. POT., Simpulum and lituus.

 

OTHO 69AD Alexdandria Egypt Tetradrachm Authentic Ancient Roman Coin i47975

Otho – Roman Emperor: 69 A.D. –
Billon Tetradrachm 24mm (12.52 grams) of Alexandria in Egypt
Regnal Year 1, 69 A.D.
Reference: Dattari 328; Köln 249; Milne 366; Curtis 2393; Emmett 185; RPC I 5361
AYTOK. MARK. OΘΩΝΟΣ ΚΑΙΣ. ΣΕΒ., Laureate head right, LA (regnal date) before.
KPA TH ΣIΣ, Kratesis standing facing, head left, holding Nike and trophy.

OTACILIA SEVERA 244AD HEKATES Roman PHRYGIA Laodiceia ad Lycum Coin i46366 RARE

Otacilia Severa – Roman Empress: 244-249 A.D wife of Philip I ‘TheArab’
Bronze 31mm (14.41 grams) of PHRYGIA. Laodiceia ad Lycum
Reference: Sear GIC 4036; B.M.C.25.323,255
MARK. ΩΤΑΚΙΛ. CЄBHPA CЄB., Draped bust right.
ΛΑΟΔΙΚΕΩΝ ΝΕΩΚΟΡΩΝ, Hekate triformis, holding torch in each hand.Ostensibly conceived as a cthonic goddess, similar to that of Artemis, Hekate was later transformed and associated with witches, ghosts, and curses. Similar to the Roman Trivia, her image was set up on boundaries to keep out evil spirits. The cult likely traced itself from Caria, with the most prominent cult site being Lagina where there are names stememming from Hekate are attested (derived from Hekatos, or “far-shooting”, an epithet of Apollo).

Divus AUGUSTUS and LIVIA after14AD Hispalis Spain Ancient Roman Coin i46784

Augustus – Roman Emperor: 27 B.C. – 14 A.D.
Divus Augustus and Livia
Bronze 35mm (23.89 grams) of Hispalis in Spain after 14 A.D.
Reference: Sear GIC 189; Heiss 393,2; Cohen 169,3
PERM. DIVI AVG. COL. ROM. – Radiate head of Augustus right; thunderbolt before, star above.
IVLIA AVGVSTA GENETRIX ORBIS – Head of Livia left; globe beneath, crescent above.

DOMITIAN Judaea Capta Caesarea Paneas 83AD Victory Nike Roman Coin Rare i47989

Domitian – Roman Caesar: 69-81 A.D. Emperor: 81-96 A.D. –
JUDAEA CAPTA TYPE
Bronze 19mm (4.62 grams) Caesarea Paneas in Judaea mint: 83/84 A.D.
under Herod Agrippa II
Reference: Hendin 1317 (5th Edition)
ΔΟΜΕΤ ΚΑΙ ΓΕΡΜΑΝ, Laureate head right.
ΕΤΟ ΚΔ ΒΑ ΑΓΡΙΠΠΑ, Nike ( Victory ) standing right, left foot on helmet, writing on a shield which rests on her left knee.

CALIGULA and CAESONIA 39AD Carthago Nova Spain Ancient Roman Coin RARE i46743

Caligula – Roman Emperor: 37-41 A.D.
Caligula and Caesonia
Bronze 28mm (11.72 grams) of Carthago Nova in Spain
Reference: Sear GIC 419; Heiss 272,35; Cohen 247,1
C. CAESAR AVG. GERMANIC. IMP.P.M.T.P. COS., Laureate head of Caligula right.
CN. ATEL. FLAC. CN. POM. FLAC. II. VIR. Q.V.I.N.C., Head of Caesonia right; SAL.-AVG. across field.Married to Caligula in 39 A.D., she shared the fate of her husband after his assassination, when she was murdered with her infant daughter Drusilla.

SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS 193AD Laodicea ad Mare Silver Tetradrachm Roman Coin i46358

Septimius Severus – Roman Emperor: 193-211 A.D. –
Silver Tetradrachm 26mm (13.11 grams) of Laodicea ad Mare
Reference: Sear GIC 2261 var.; Prieur 1149 (94 spec.)
AVT. KAI. CЄOYHPOC CЄ., Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
ΔHMAPX. ЄΞ. YΠATOC TO Γ., Eagle standing facing, looking left, holding wreath in beak; star between legs.

 

AUGUSTUS Victory Over Brutus Cassius Assasins of Julius Caesar Roman Coin i47406

  Augustus – Roman Emperor: 27 B.C. – 14 A.D.
Bronze 19mm (3.94 grams) from the city of Philippi in Northern Greece,
Macedonia circa 27 B.C. -10 B.C.
Reference: BMC 23; Sear 32
VIC AVG, Victory  standing  left.
3 legionary Standards, ‘COHOR PRAEPHIL’

 

ANTONINUS PIUS & MARCUS AURELIUS Cyprus Mint LARGE Ancient Roman Coin i46372

Antoninus Pius – Roman Emperor: 138-161 A.D.
Antoninus Pius & Marcus Aurelius
Bronze 31mm (21.30 grams) of Cyprus
Reference: Sear GIC 1523; B.M.C. 24.84,48
AVT. K. T. AIΛ. AΔP. ANTΩNINOC CЄB. Є., Laureate  head of Antoninus Pius right.
M. AVPHΛIOC KAICAP VIOC CЄBAC, Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust of Murcus  Aurelius right.

TRAJAN 115AD Silver Tetradrdachm Alexandria Egypt Zeus Ancient Roman Coin i46271

Trajan – Roman Emperor : 98-117 A.D. –
Billon Silver Tetradrachm 23mm (9.54 grams) of Alexandria in Egypt
Year 19 of reign, 115/116 A.D.
Reference: Dattari 692 variant
AVT TPAIAN API CЄB ΓЄPM ΔAKIK, laureate head right, star in field to right.
Draped bust of Zeus right, LI Θ (date) across fields.

NERO 63AD Serapis Alexandria Egypt Tetradrachm Ancient Silver Roman Coin i46361

Nero – Roman Emperor:  54-68 A.D. –
Billon Silver Tetradrachm 25mm (12.31 grams) of Alexandria in Egypt
Year 10 = 63/64 A.D.
Reference: Milne 222; Koln 160; RPC 5274; Sear 5 #2001; Dattari 251
NEPΩ KΛAV KAIΣ ΣEB ΓEP, radiate head right.
AYTO KPA, draped bust of Serapis right, LI before.

NERO & AGRIPPINA Jr. Rape of Persephone by Hades Nysa Lydia Roman Coin i44411

Nero – Roman Emperor:  54-68 A.D. –
Bronze 19mm (4.90 grams) of Nysa in Lydia
Reference: Rare, possibly unpublished type
Jugate heads of Nero and his mother Agrippina Jr. Right.
“Rape of Persephone Scene” Hades in galloping quadriga (four horse chariot) abducting the protesting Persephone, whom he holds in his right arm.* Numismatic Note; This is a very rare, possibly only one known of it’s kind. I have searched various database and could not find a match with the obverse type. Additionally the abduction of Persephone by Hades is a very intersting and rare motif that some collectors enjoy.Hades the ancient Greek god of the underworld, can’t help but to abduct the beautiful Persephone, the daughter of Demeter. Being the goddess of agriculture, Demeter is so sad that nothing grows in the world. Zeus interjects as the people grow hungry from this and gets the return of Persephone to her mother. However, Hades tricks Persephone into eating a pomegranate and because she tasted the fruit of the underworld, she must return for one third of the year, which are attributed to the winter months. This myth explains the seasons in the ancient times.

MAXIMINUS I Thrax Medallion Tarsus Cilicia HERCULES TELEPHOS Roman Coin i44110

Maximinus I ‘Thrax’ – Roman Emperor: 235-238 A.D. –
Bronze Medallion 38mm (25.88 grams) from
Referenc: SNG France 1613; SNG Levante 1098
AVT. K. Γ. IOV. OVH. MAΞΙΜЄΙΝΟC, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right; Π-Π in field.
TAPCOV THC MHTPOΠΟΛЄW, Hercules standing right, holding club resting on bull’s head, lion skin, and the child Telephus, who leans forward to pet a deer; tree with birds in background; A / M / K / Γ / B in field to left.This charming reverse type depicting Hercules and his son Telephus derives from a 4th century BC Greek sculpture. Roman copies of this work survive, the finest of which is belongs to the Louvre.

Tiberius & Drusus & Germanicus Rare HUGE Ancient Roman Coin of Spain i11627

Tiberius – Roman Emperor: 14-37 A.D. –
Bronze As 27mm (10.77 grams) of Colonia Romula (Seville), Spain
Reference: RPC 74; Burgos (1992) 1588
PERM DIVI AVG COL ROM, laureate head of Tiberius left.
GERMANICVS CAESAR DRVSVS CAESAR, confronted heads of Germanicus & Drusus.

PONTIUS PILATE Ancient Biblical Roman Jerusalem Coin JESUS CHRIST Time i36578

Pontius Pilate – (chiefly known for crucifixion of Jesus) ruled 26-36 A.D.
Procurator of Judaea under Emperor Tiberius, Roman Emperor: 14-37 A.D.
Bronze Prutah 15mm (1.86 grams) Jerusalaem 30-31 A.D.
Reference: Hendin 1342.
Lituus, surrounded by TIBEPIOY KAICAPOC.
Date LIZ (= year 18 = 31 C.E.) within wreath.* Numismatic Note: Authentic ancient biblical coin, issued by the Roman procurator whom had Jesus Christ crucified. Very rare, unique piece of ancient history.

MAXIMUS PRUSA ADHYPIUM Anteus Nude Hercules gripping Anteus Roman Coin i22423

Maximus – Caesar under Maximinus: 235-238 A.D.
Bronze As 23mm (6.77 grams) of Prusa ad Hypium in Bithynia
Γ. ΙΟVΛ. ΟVΗΡ. ΜΑΞΙΜΟC K, bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
ΠΡΟVCIEΩN ΠΡΟC VΠIΩ, Hercules gripping Anteus in bear hug and lifting him from the ground, making weak for him to defeat him.* Numismatic Note: Very rare ruler and very rare ancient roman provincial city,
along with rare reverse type.

JULIA DOMNA THREE NAKED WOMEN GRACES Rare Ancient Roman Coin i12371

Julia Domna – Roman Empress Wife of Emperor Septimius Severus 193-211 A.D. –
Bronze 24mm (7.20 grams) from the city of Marcianopolis 193-209 A.D.
IOVΛIA ΔOMNA CEB, draped bust right.
MAPKIANOΠOΛITΩN, The Three Graces, Aglaea, Euphrosyne and Thalia, standing side-by-side facing, nude, arms around each other’s shoulders.

 

CARACALLA 198AD Nicopolis under Aurelius Gallus Big Roman Coin VICTORY i23619

Caracalla – Roman Emperor: 198-217 A.D. –
Bronze 26mm (12.85 grams) of Nicopolis ad Istrum in Moesia Inferior
under Magistrate Aurelius Gallus circa 198-209 A.D.
AV K. M AVP ANTΩNEINO, laureate head right.
VΠ AVP ΓAΛΛOV NIKOΠOLITΩN ΠPOC I, Victory on globe left, holding wreath and palm.* Numismatic Note: Fantastic quality coin with beautiful emerald-green patina.

CLAUDIUS & BRITANNICUS Rare Ancient Greek Coin Countermark of Apollo i22441

Claudius – Roman Emperor: 41-54 A.D. –
Claudius & Britannicus
Bronze 26mm (8.14 grams) of Thessalonica in Macedonia circa 45-50 A.D.
Reference: S. 497; B.M.C. 5.118,81; RPC 1588
TI. KΛΑΥΔΙΟC KAICAP CЄBA. Bare head of Claudius left.
BPЄTANNIKOC ΘЄCCAΛONIK. Bare head of Britannicus left; all within laurel-wreath, countermark of Apollo before face.

 

ANTONINUS PIUS Marcus Aurelius Father Ancient RomanCoin ARES Mars Cult i14350

Antoninus Pius – Roman Emperor: 138-161 A.D.
Bronze 18mm (4.68 grams) of Philippopolis in Thrace
AVT K ANTΩNEINOC CEB, bare bust right.
ΦIΛIIΠΠOΠOΛEIT, Nude Ares standing left, holding patera and spear.

 

TITUS & DOMITIAN CAESARS 77AD Stobi Macedonia Roman Coin Dionysus Temple i28335

Titus & Domitian as Caesars
Bronze 25mm (5.10 grams) of Stobi in Macedonia Struck 77-78 A.D.
Reference: RPC 311; Boric-Breskovic, Stobi, p. 29, Type 3; AMNG III -; Varbanov 3805
T CAESAR IMP DOMITIANVS CAESAR, Laureate and draped bust of Titus right vis-à-vis bare head of Domitian left.
MVNICIPI STOBENSIVM, tetra-style temple on podium with two steps; inside, Dionysus standing left; clipeus in pediment.

 

SEVERUS ALEXANDER Caesarea Cappadocia Mt. Argeus Aquila Eagle Roman Coin i44143

Severus Alexander – Roman Emperor: 222-235 A.D.
Bronze 26mm (12.71 grams) of Caesarea in Cappadocia
Dated Regnal Year 6, 227/228 A.D.
Reference: Sydenham, Caesarea 565 var.
AV K CЄ OVHPOC ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡ, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
MHTPO KAICAPI, Mt. Argaeus surmounted by eagle; aquilae flanking, ЄT ς (date) in exergue.

 

MACRINUS 218AD Deultum Thrace ANDROMEDA PERSEUS SEA MONSTER Roman Coin i40772

Macrinus – Roman Emperor: 217-218 A.D. –
Bronze 22mm (8.48 grams) of Deultum in Thrace
Reference: Draganov 119 (O19/R587); Youroukova 61; Varbanov 2129
IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG, Radiate and cuirassed bust right.
COL FL PAC DEVLT, Perseus standing left, holding a harpa and Medusa‘s head with his left hand, using his right hand to help Andromeda down off some rocks; dead sea monster at feet.

Augustus 27BC Amphipolis Macedon Rare Ancient Roman Coin Artemis Bull i30611

Augustus – Roman Emperor: 27 B.C. – 14 A.D.
Bronze 22mm (6.34 grams) of Greek city of Amphipolis in Macedon 27 B.C. – 10 A.D.
Reference: RPC 1629; SNG ANS 160 var.
KAIΣΑΡOΣ ΣЄBACTOΣ – Bare head of Augustus right.
ΑΜΦΙΠΟΛЄΙΤΩΝ – Artemis Tauropolos riding on bull galloping right, veil flowing above.

 

CLAUDIUS Philippi Julius Caesar & Augustus Statues Ancient Roman Coin i40538

Claudius – Roman Emperor: 41-54 A.D. –
Bronze 26mm (12.58 grams) of the City of Philippi in Macedonia Struck 41-54 A.D.
Reference: Sear GIC 428; B.M.C. 5.98,25; Cohen 260, 117
TI. CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG. P.M. TR. P. IMP. – Bare head of Claudius left.
COL AVG IVL PHILIP, cippus inscribed with DIVVS
AVG in two lines, on which stand statues of
Augustus (to left) & Caesar (to right), altar on either side of cippus.

OTACILIA SEVERA 244AD Ancient Roman Coin HYGEIA Salus Serpent Very rare i20496

Otacilia Severa – Roman Empress: 244-249 A.D wife of Emperor Philip I –
Bronze 21mm (4.63 grams) of Deultum in Thrace circa 244-249 A.D.
MARCIA OTACIL SEVERA AVG, draped bust right.
COL F L PAC DEVLT, Hygeia standing right, feeding a serpent from a patera.

 

SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS 193AD Nicopolis Ancient Roman Coin Nude HERMES i22612

Septimius Severus – Roman Emperor: 193-211 A.D. –
Bronze 15mm (2.18 grams) of Nicopolis ad Istrum in Moesia Inferior 193-211 A.D.
AV K Λ CEVHPOC, laureate head right.
NIKOΠOΛIT ΠPOC ICTP, Hermes, nude, standing left with money-pouch and caduceus.

Ancient CoinsDownload this article by right-clicking here and selecting save as