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 - 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 - 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.