Roman Coins - depicting the rise and fall of the Roman Empire

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The Roman Empire is more than historical. The most significant civilization in our history still influences the modern world. Roman coins provide an insight to identifying ancient empires won and lost, war, peace, prosperity and enlightenment.

Romans established coinage in the centuries BC after the process had spread from ancient Lydia in western Turkey to Greece. Generally old Roman coins are dated from 269 B.C., when it’s known that the first mint was established in Rome.

Coins quickly became useful throughout the Roman Empire

Coins were used by people in all levels of Roman society, and quickly became instrumental as a propaganda tool. Roman coins were produced with political messages and achievements of the emperor displayed visually. Since the Roman Empire at this time stretched from England to Africa and Egypt, it was a simple and efficient way of ensuring all citizens received this message – especially those who could not read.

The earliest Roman form of currency was based on the bartering of livestock. Early Roman coins progressed from rough uncoined bronze to bronze bars and eventually cast coins with varying weights and values. While Roman armies marched through modern day Italy they discovered Greek colonies in the south making and using silver coins, which the Romans quickly emulated.

Defeat in war with Hannibal led to the collapse of Roman coinage at that time, but a new system arose in 211 B.C., producing gold, silver and bronze coins based on the silver denarius.

Ever a trend setter, Julius Caesar placed a portrait of himself on the denarius in 44 B.C., the first living Roman ever to do so. (His assassination four years later would also feature on a coin). Following emperors displayed their portraits and names on coins, each distinguishing them as rulers and their personal policies for the Empire.

Nero’s debauched appearance belied his love of the high life. Coins from Augustus’ reign depicted him as youthful even as he moved towards old age. The portrayal of Hadrian’s beard (apparently a rare salute to his love of Greek culture) was a major innovation at the time.

Emperors quickly determined that coins could honour important events and accomplishment within the empire, as well as the ideals they held dear. Hadrian’s coins praised the virtues of liberty, prosperity, equity, and justice. Constantine marked the establishment of Constantinople with a coin implying strength, prosperity and power.

While he wasn’t busy founding the Byzantine Empire, Constantine found the time for a major innovation to the established Roman coinage. Striking an aureus (also known as solidus), the coin became famous as the only coin in the empire to be accepted for tax collection. It remained the standard gold coin for another 700 years, until the turn of the first millennium.

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