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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Themes & Provenance| ▸ |Military| ▸ |Legionary||View Options:   | | | Legionarii is the name give to the foot soldiers of the Roman legions. The horsemen were distinguished by the appellation of Equites. The term of sixteen years was the period fixed for the service of the Legionarii. Before the reign of Septimius Severus they were not permitted to marry, or at least to have their wives with them in the camp. The military discipline of these troops was very severe. They led a life of great hardship, and made long marches, laden with heavy burdens. During peace they were employed in working on the fortifications of towns and of camps, as well as in repairing the high roads. |
In a 1997 book review in the Schweizerische Numismatische Rundschau (SNR), Kevin Butcher agreed with William Metcalf that the Greek inscribed silver "coinage of Trajan dated to his sixth consulship" is part of the "Rome style" club. He goes on to write, "The existence of this Rome style coinage in the eastern provinces caused great confusion in the past, with a whole series of coins which we now know belong to Syria, Arabia and Cyrenaica being given to Caesarea by Sydenham. It is largely thanks to M.'s [Metcalf's] work on Caesarea and the Arabian coinage that most of the issues have been reattributed away from Caesarea. The source of confusion was the stylistic similarity of all of these groups, because they are all in the style of the Rome mint." Just how involved Rome was in the minting of these coin groups is still a mystery. Its complexity is suggested by a probable Rome style Arabian drachm of Trajan (RPC III 4075) overstruck on a Nabatean drachm. See FORVM RS113121 for this example!
The obverse legend sports what appears on first glance to be a glaring error: CEP in place of CEB, but the comparison of another coin from the same die pair assures us that the die cutter did not allow such a blunder to mar his masterful work. This includes rejecting the scenario where the die cutter simply modified the letter at some point afterwards, since our coin is in a later die state than the other.RY114284. Silver tridrachm, RPC Online III 4055 (15 spec.); Woytek Cistophore A1b.1; Ganschow X14b; SNG Fitz 5436; SNG ANS 1163; Tell Kalak pl. XIII, 9; Sydenham Caesarea 225, gVF, light toning, bold strike with traces of die wear, very fine style, befitting the mint of Rome, weight 10.156 g, maximum diameter 24.5 mm, die axis 180o, struck for use in Arabia by Rome or Arabian mint, "Tr Pot Cos VI" issue, 112 - 114 A.D.; obverse AYTOKP KAIC NEP TPAIANOC CEB ΓEPM ΔAK (Imperator Caesar Nerva Traianus Augustus Germanicus Dacicus), laureate bust right, slight drapery on far (left) shoulder; reverse ΔHMAPX EΞ YΠATO ϛ (tribunicia potestate, consul VI - holder of Tribunician power, consul six times), aquila between two signa (standards), wreath on top of left signum, hand on top of right signum;
Trajan, 25 January 98 - 8 or 9 August 117 A.D., Arabian Tridrachm Series, "Rome" Style
In a 1997 book review in the Schweizerische Numismatische Rundschau (SNR), Kevin Butcher agreed with William Metcalf that the Greek inscribed silver "coinage of Trajan dated to his sixth consulship" is part of the "Rome style" club. He goes on to write, "The existence of this Rome style coinage in the eastern provinces caused great confusion in the past, with a whole series of coins which we now know belong to Syria, Arabia and Cyrenaica being given to Caesarea by Sydenham. It is largely thanks to M.'s [Metcalf's] work on Caesarea and the Arabian coinage that most of the issues have been reattributed away from Caesarea. The source of confusion was the stylistic similarity of all of these groups, because they are all in the style of the Rome mint." Just how involved Rome was in the minting of these coin groups is still a mystery. Its complexity is suggested by a probable Rome style Arabian drachm of Trajan (RPC III 4075) overstruck on a Nabatean drachm. See FORVM RS113121 for this example!
RY114285. Silver tridrachm, RPC Online III 4060, Metcalf Tell Kalak 13, SNGvA 6399, Woytek Cistophore A1v.2, Ganschow X14e, Sydenham Caesarea -, VF, toned surfaces, worn rev. die, obv. of fine style, superb portrait, weight 9.842 g, maximum diameter 23.2 mm, die axis 225o, struck for use in Arabia by Rome or Arabian mint, "Tr Pot Cos VI" issue, 112 - 114 A.D.; obverse AYTOKP KAIC NEP TPAIANOC CEB ΓEPM ΔAK, laureate and draped bust right, seen from front; reverse ΔHMAPX EΞ YΠATO ϛ (holder of Tribunician power, consul six times), two standards (signa) flanking an aquila with hand atop left standard and wreath atop right standard; very rare;
Trajan, 25 January 98 - 8 or 9 August 117 A.D., Arabian Tridrachm Series, "Rome" Style
In a 1997 book review in the Schweizerische Numismatische Rundschau (SNR), Kevin Butcher agreed with William Metcalf that the Greek inscribed silver "coinage of Trajan dated to his sixth consulship" is part of the "Rome style" club. He goes on to write, "The existence of this Rome style coinage in the eastern provinces caused great confusion in the past, with a whole series of coins which we now know belong to Syria, Arabia and Cyrenaica being given to Caesarea by Sydenham. It is largely thanks to M.'s [Metcalf's] work on Caesarea and the Arabian coinage that most of the issues have been reattributed away from Caesarea. The source of confusion was the stylistic similarity of all of these groups, because they are all in the style of the Rome mint." Just how involved Rome was in the minting of these coin groups is still a mystery. Its complexity is suggested by a probable Rome style Arabian drachm of Trajan (RPC III 4075) overstruck on a Nabatean drachm. See FORVM RS113121 for an example!RY114286. Silver tridrachm, RPC Online III 4062A (5 spec.), Woytek Cistophore A1h.1, Ganschow X14d, cf. Metcalf Tell Kalak 8-10 (diff. busts), Sydenham Caesarea 224-226 (same), gVF, great centering, fine style obv. showcasing a high point in Roman imperial portraiture, patch of roughness on neck, otherwise smooth surfaces, mild die wear, weight 10.575 g, maximum diameter 25.1 mm, die axis 180o, struck for use in Arabia by Rome or Arabian mint, "Tr Pot Cos VI" issue, 112 - 114 A.D.; obverse AYTOKP KAIC NEP TPAIANOC CEB ΓEPM ΔAK, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from front; reverse ΔHMAPX EΞ YΠATO ϛ (holder of Tribunician power, consul six times), two standards (signa) flanking an aquila with wreath atop left standard and hand atop right standard; Published in RPC Online III (#4 = this coin!); very rare;
Trajan, 25 January 98 - 8 or 9 August 117 A.D., Arabian Tridrachm Series, "Rome" Style
In a 1997 book review in the Schweizerische Numismatische Rundschau (SNR), Kevin Butcher agreed with William Metcalf that the Greek inscribed silver "coinage of Trajan dated to his sixth consulship" is part of the "Rome style" club. He goes on to write, "The existence of this Rome style coinage in the eastern provinces caused great confusion in the past, with a whole series of coins which we now know belong to Syria, Arabia and Cyrenaica being given to Caesarea by Sydenham. It is largely thanks to M.'s [Metcalf's] work on Caesarea and the Arabian coinage that most of the issues have been reattributed away from Caesarea. The source of confusion was the stylistic similarity of all of these groups, because they are all in the style of the Rome mint." Just how involved Rome was in the minting of these coin groups is still a mystery. Its complexity is suggested by a probable Rome style Arabian drachm of Trajan (RPC III 4075) overstruck on a Nabatean drachm. See FORVM RS113121 for this example!RY114288. Silver tridrachm, RPC Online III 4053 (25 spec.); Woytek Cistophore A1a.1; Tell Kalak pl. XIII, 8; SNG ANS 1162; BMC Galatia p. 57, 88; Ganschow X14a, aVF, fine style portrait, very lightly toned minor hairline scratches, traces of die wear, weight 10.166 g, maximum diameter 23.8 mm, die axis 210o, struck for use in Arabia by Rome or Arabian mint, "Tr Pot Cos VI" issue, 112 - 114 A.D.; obverse AYTOKP KAIC NEP TPAIANOC CEB ΓEPM ΔAK (Imperator Caesar Nerva Traianus Augustus Germanicus Dacicus), laureate head (or bust) right; reverse ΔHMAPX EΞ YΠATO ϛ (tribunicia potestate, consul VI - holder of Tribunician power, consul six times), aquila between two signa (standards), wreath on top of left signum, hand on top of right signum;
Trajan, 25 January 98 - 8 or 9 August 117 A.D., Arabian Tridrachm Series, "Rome" Style
In a 1997 book review in the Schweizerische Numismatische Rundschau (SNR), Kevin Butcher agreed with William Metcalf that the Greek inscribed silver "coinage of Trajan dated to his sixth consulship" is part of the "Rome style" club. He goes on to write, "The existence of this Rome style coinage in the eastern provinces caused great confusion in the past, with a whole series of coins which we now know belong to Syria, Arabia and Cyrenaica being given to Caesarea by Sydenham. It is largely thanks to M.'s [Metcalf's] work on Caesarea and the Arabian coinage that most of the issues have been reattributed away from Caesarea. The source of confusion was the stylistic similarity of all of these groups, because they are all in the style of the Rome mint." Just how involved Rome was in the minting of these coin groups is still a mystery. Its complexity is suggested by a probable Rome style Arabian drachm of Trajan (RPC III 4075) overstruck on a Nabatean drachm. See FORVM RS113121 for an example!RY114287. Silver tridrachm, RPC Online III 4062A (5 spec.), Woytek Cistophore A1h.1, Ganschow X14d, cf. Metcalf Tell Kalak 8-10 (diff. busts), Sydenham Caesarea 224-226 (same), aVF, fine style obv. showcasing a high point in Roman imperial portraiture, smooth surfaces, flow lines, light marks, rev. strike weak, weight 10.423 g, maximum diameter 23.9 mm, die axis 195o, struck for use in Arabia by Rome or Arabian mint, "Tr Pot Cos VI" issue, 112 - 114 A.D.; obverse AYTOKP KAIC NEP TPAIANOC CEB ΓEPM ΔAK, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from front; reverse ΔHMAPX EΞ YΠATO ϛ (holder of Tribunician power, consul six times), two standards (signa) flanking an aquila with wreath atop left standard and hand atop right standard; Published in RPC Online III (#5 = this coin!); very rare;
Cassandrea, Macedonia, 16 March 37 - 24 January 41 A.D.
Cassandreia was founded by Cassander in 316 B.C. on the site of the earlier city of Potidaea, at the isthmus of the Pallene peninsula. That Cassander named it after himself suggests he may have intended it to be his capital. If the canal which cuts the peninsula at this point was dug or at least planned in his time, he may have intended to develop his naval forces using it as a base with two harbors on the east and west sides. Cassandreia soon became a great and powerful city, surpassing the other Macedonian towns in wealth. Philip V of Macedon made it his main naval base. At the end of the Roman Republic, around 43 B.C., a Roman colony was settled by order of Brutus. In 30 B.C., Augustus installed additional settlers and renamed the city Colonia Iulia Augusta Cassandrensis. It was destroyed by the Huns and Slavs around 540 A.D.RP113318. Bronze AE 17, RPC Online I 1513; SNG ANS 233; SNG Evelpidis 1210; BMC 1; AMNG 4–5, VF, dark patina, earthen deposits, weight 3.152 g, maximum diameter 17.0 mm, die axis 135o, Cassandreia (Kassandreia, Greece) mint, time of Caligula, 16 Mar 37 - 24 Jan 41 A.D.; obverse Vexillum inscribed AVG, flanked by two standards, each topped with a crescent horns up; reverse CAS/SAN/DRE in three lines within wreath; ex Harlan Berk, ex Dr. Michael Slavin Collection;
Philip I the Arab, February 244 - End of September 249 A.D., Antiocheia, Pisidia
For most coins, the only way to distinguish between Philip I and his son Philip II is the age of the portrait. The portrait here appears a little young for Philip I, but RPC dates it to 244 - 245, when Philip II was not yet Augustus. The "P M" at the end of the obverse legend likely means "Persicus Maximus" boasting of victory over Persia, rather than the traditional "Pontifex Maximus." In either case, victorious commander or high priest, it is appropriate only for Philip I. With all the above being said, it is still interesting to see a few of the coins cataloged for this type with a clearly bearded emperor, with even a reverse die that is identical (or nearly identical) to the youthful portrait(s). Compare "B: 18273822, Rauch" with "C: 146-1961" under RPC Online VIII U3290.RP113939. Bronze AE 27, RPC Online VIII U3290 (71 spec.); SNG BnF 1277-1778 corr. (Philip II); SNG Pfalz 110 corr. (same); cf. BMC p. 197, 122-123 (leg. arr.) corr. (same), Choice F, well centered, smooth, even surfaces, good detail, weight 11.131 g, maximum diameter 26.7 mm, die axis 180o, Antioch in Pisidia (Yalvac, Turkey) mint, early issues, 244 - 245 A.D.; obverse IMP N IVL PHILIPPVS P F AVG P M, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; reverse CAES ANTIO-CH COL (last five letters upside down in exergue), vexillum flanked by two standards and surmounted by eagle facing with wings spread and open wreath in beak, standards also topped by eagles turned toward the vexillum, S - R on ground line in inner fields divided by base of vexillum;
Valerian I, October 253 - c. June 260 A.D., Antiocheia, Pisidia
The obverse legend is confirmed by a die match on RPC Online (not yet assigned an RPC specimen number).RP111563. Bronze AE 22, RPC Online X U85134; cf. Krzyzanowska table 34, VIII/40-58; SNG BnF 1294 ff.; BMC Lycia -, gF, well centered, dark green patina, light deposits, porosity, weight 5.172 g, maximum diameter 21.6 mm, die axis 30o, Antioch in Pisidia (Yalvac, Turkey) mint, c. 253 - 260 A.D.; obverse IMP CAE R ASLL OVNAHHIR, radiate and draped bust right; reverse ANTIO-CHIO CL, eagle atop vexillum flanked by aquila standards, SR in exergue; ex Numismatik Naumann auction 124 (8 Jan 2023), lot 946 (part of);
Mark Antony, Triumvir and Imperator, 44 - 30 B.C., CHORTIS SPECVLATORVM
Speculatores served the legions as spies, scouts, messengers, lookouts, and executioners. Aboard ship speculatores stood watch as lookouts in a turret (specula) at the stern, explaining their unusual standards. Normally ten speculatores were assigned to each legion. Anthony formed a separate cohort of speculatores which served him personally and also acted as his personal bodyguard. Augustus would later create a speculatorian cohort at Rome to serve as the inner corps of the praetorian guard. This coin probably refers to the naval equivalent, who were comparable to the Marines and provided a shipboard bodyguard for Antony.SH76389. Silver denarius, SRCV I 1484, Crawford 544/12, Sydenham 1214, BMCRR II East 185, RSC I 6, Sear CRI 386, Choice VF, well centered on full flan, toned, banker's mark and V graffito on obverse, scratches, weight 3.636 g, maximum diameter 18.9 mm, die axis 0o, Patrae(?) mint, autumn 32 - spring 31 B.C.; obverse ANT•AVG / III VIR•R•P•C, galley right with rowers, mast with fluttering banners at prow, border of dots; reverse CHORTIS SPECVLATORVM, three standards, each decorated with two wreaths and a model war galley prow, border of dots; ex CNG auction 76/2 (12 Sep 2007), lot 3262; ex John A. Seeger Collection; this ex-Forum coin is now in the Fitzwilliam Museum; rare; SOLD
Roman Military Diploma Fragment, Auxiliary of Arabia Petraea, Reign of Hadrian, 117 - 138 A.D.
This bronze fragment is part of a "Roman Military Diploma," a legal document in the form of a bronze two-leaved hinged tablet engraved to record the award of citizenship and the legal right of marriage to an honorably discharged auxiliary soldier of the Roman army after 25 years of service. These diplomas are often found as fragments because they were frequently cut up and divided among heirs, serving as de facto deeds to a portion of the veteran's land. This fragment is from a diploma type issued for auxiliary troops retiring in Arabia Petraea during the reign of Hadrian. This diploma likely read as follows:
Imperator Caesar DIVI Traiani Parthici f.
divi Nervae nepos TRAIanus Hadrianus Augustus,
pontifex maximus, tribunicia potestate ..., consul ...,
pater patriae, equitibus et peditibus qui militaverunt
in alis ... et cohortibus ... quae apellantur...
ALAE VI...
VI HISPpanorum...et sunt
IN ARAbia sub ... quinis et vicenis pluribusve
stipendiis emeritis dimissis honesta missione,
quorum nomina subscripta sunt, civitatem dedit et
conubium cum uxoribus quas tunc habuissent, cum est
civitas iis data, aut, si qui caelibes essent, cum
iis quas postea duxissent dumtaxat singulis singulas.
[date]
[name of the military unit and its commander]
[name of the recipient (and names of his relatives
also receiving citizenship)]
Descriptum et recognitum ex tabula aenea quae fixa
est Romae in muro divi Augusti ad Minervam.AS99089. Bronze military diploma fragment, auxiliary of Arabia Petraea, clear letters, green patina, 2.292g, 23.8x17.7mm, 1.0mm thick, letters average 4.2mm tall, reign of Hadrian, 11 August 117 – 10 July 138; Tabella 1, outside face: left edge border with two lightly incised lines, three lines of Latin inscription: ALAE(corum) V[I ...] / VI HISP[ANORVM...ET SUNT] / IN ARA[BI SVB...]; Tabella 1, inside face: two lines of Latin inscription: ...DIVI.. / ...TRAI... (note, the inner face of diplomas repeats most of the same information on the outer face but is abbreviated and some information is omitted); SOLD
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