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Ancient Coins Overview

A variety of ancient coins from different civilizations, showcasing historical figures and thematic designs reflective of their era.

Coin Depicting the Amazon Cyme or the Goddess Tyche 27 BCE-476 CE Rome. Bronze . Ancient Roman
Coin Depicting the Amazon Cyme or the Goddess Tyche 27 BCE-476 CE Rome. Bronze . Ancient Roman
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Ruler: Amyntas III, King of Macedon, ruled 393-370/69 B.C.Didrachm of Amyntas III, King ofMacedon, 389-370/69 B.C., Silver, 8.99 g, 2:00, 21mm, Made in Uncertain mint, Macedonia, Greek, 4th century B.C., NumismaticsMint: Phocaea, Trihemiobol fromPhocaea, ca. 500 B.C., Silver, 1.335g, Made in Phocaea, Ionia, Greek, 6th-5th century B.C., NumismaticsTetradrachm (Coin) Portraying Emperor Probus Struck 279 CE-280 CE Alexandria. The front (obverse) of this coin portrays the emperor Probus, laureate and cuirassed, facing to the right. The back (reverse) depicts Nike advancing to the right, holding a wreath and palm.. Billon . Ancient RomanCoin Depicting the Goddess Artemis. Greek. Date: 286 BC-220 BC. Dimensions: Diam. 1.7 cm; 4 g. Bronze. Origin: Ancient Greece. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.Coin Depicting the Amazon Cyme or the Goddess Tyche 27 BCE-476 CE Rome. Bronze . Ancient RomanTetradrachm (Coin) Portraying Emperor Nero 66 CE-67 CE Egypt. The front (obverse) of this coin portrays the bust of Emperor Nero, facing right, radiate, wearing a cuirass (armoured breast plate), and aegis (shield). The date this coin was struck is indicated in the inscription î LI ì, which means the thirteenth year of his reign, or 66-67 CE. Nero reigned as emperor from 54-68 CE.The back (reverse) portrays the head of Tiberius, facing right.. Billon . Ancient EgyptianMint: Croton, Triobol fromCroton, 400-350 B.C., Silver, 1.02 g, 1:00, 12.6mm, Made in Croton, Bruttium, Greek, 4th century B.C., NumismaticsMint: Mytilene, Hekte (1/6 Stater) fromMytilene, 521-478 B.C., Electrum, 2.54 g, 6:00, 10mm, Mytilene, Lesbos, Greek, 6th-5th century B.C., NumismaticsDrachm (Coin) Depicting the Hero Herakles. Greek. Date: 300 BC-200 BC. Dimensions: Diam. 1.5 cm; 3.30 g. Bronze. Origin: Greece. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA. Author: ANCIENT GREEK.Coin Depicting a Wreath and Palm Branches 54 CE-55 CE Roman Empire. The front (obverse) of this coin bears an inscription to Ioulia Agrippina, the wife of Emperor Claudius, within a wreath.On the back (reverse) two crossing palm-branches are shown.. Bronze . Ancient RomanDenarius (Coin) Portraying Ahenobarbus 41 BCE Roman Empire. On the front of this coin Ahenobarbus is portrayed facing right.On the back the prow of a ship is surmounted by a trophy.. Silver . Ancient RomanCoin Depicting the Empress Tranquillina 238 CE-244 CE Ancient Greece. Bronze . Ancient RomanCoin Portraying the God Asklepios (). Greek. Date: 51 BC. Dimensions: Diam. 1.8 cm; 4.73 g. Bronze. Origin: Ancient Greece. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.Hekte (1/6 Stater) fromPhocaea. Mint: Phocaea Artist: UnknownAs (Coin) Portraying Emperor Claudius. Roman, minted in Rome. Date: 41 AD-50 AD. Dimensions: Diam. 2.9 cm; 10.91 g. Bronze. Origin: Roman Empire. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA. Author: ANCIENT ROMAN.Mint: Teos, Hemiobol fromTeos, 470-450 B.C., Silver, 0.31 g, 7.6mm, Made in Teos, Ionia, Greek, 5th century B.C., NumismaticsAs (Coin) Portraying Emperor Antoninus Pius. Roman, minted in Rome. Date: 140 AD-144 AD. Dimensions: Diam. 2.7 cm; 11.52 g. Bronze. Origin: Roman Empire. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA. Author: ANCIENT ROMAN.Coin Depicting the Hero Herakles. Greek. Date: 336 BC-323 BC. Dimensions: Diam. 1.8 cm; 5.81 g. Bronze. Origin: Ancient Greece. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.Antoninianus (Coin) Portraying Emperor Gallienus 260 CE-268 CE Roman Empire. The front (obverse) if this coin portrays the emperor Gallienus, facing right and wearing a radiant crown.On the back (reverse), the god Mars is depicted standing, facing left and carrying a branch.. Billon . Ancient RomanQuinarius from Movingmint. Mint: Moving mint Artist: Unknown Magistrate: Augustus, Emperor of Rome, 63 B.C.-A.D. 14, ruled 27 B.C.-A.D. 14Magistrate: Marcus Antonius, 83-30 B.C.Coin Portraying Emperor Septimius Severus 159 BCE-138 BCE Rome. Bronze . Ancient RomanDenarius of Septimius Severus, Emperor of Rome; Caracalla, Roman Emperor fromRome. Ruler: Septimius Severus, Emperor of Rome, A.D. 146-211, ruled 193-211Ruler: Caracalla, Roman Emperor, A.D. 188-217, ruled A.D. 198-217 Mint: Rome Artist: Unknown Honorand: Fulvia Plautilla, Empress of Rome, ca. 185-211, ruled 202-211Coin of Ptolemy III, King of Egypt fromAlexandria. Ruler: Ptolemy III, King of Egypt, 280-222 B.C., ruled 246-222 B.C. Mint: Alexandria Artist: UnknownDenarius from Movingmint. Mint: Moving mint Artist: Unknown Magistrate: Marcus Antonius, 83-30 B.C.Magistrate: Augustus, Emperor of Rome, 63 B.C.-A.D. 14, ruled 27 B.C.-A.D. 14Magistrate: L. Gellius L.f. L.n. PoplicolaHemidrachm (Coin) Depicting the God Zeus Amarios 222 BCE-146 BCE Ancient Greece. The front (obverse) of this coin depicts the head of Zeus Amarios, facing to the right. On the back (reverse) is a monogram symbol of the Achaean League within a laurel wreath.Zeus Amarios, along with Demeter Panachaia, were the protecting deities of the Achaean League, which was first formed in the fifth century BCE as a confederation of Greek city-states in the Peloponnese of Greece. Temples to both deities were situated side by side at Aegium, in the northwestern Peloponnese, where the main assemly of the League held its meeting. A second Achaean League was established in 280 BCE but was later conquered and dissolved by the Romans in 146 BCE.. Silver . Ancient GreekRuler: Augustus, Emperor of Rome, 63 B.C.-A.D. 14, ruled 27 B.C.-A.D. 14, Mint, possibly by: Colonia Patricia, Denarius of Augustus, Emperor ofRome, 18, Silver, 3.60 g, 6:00, 19.5mm, Made in Colonia Patricia (?), Roman, 1st century B.C., NumismaticsCoin Depicting a Parasol Struck 42 CE-43 CE Israel. The front (obverse) of this coin depicts a parasol while the back (reverse) shows three shafts of grain.. Silver . JudeanStater fromThurium. Mint: ThuriumDenarius (Coin) Portraying Julia Soaemias 218 CE-222 CE Roman Empire. The front of this coin portrays Julia Soaemias, the mother of emperor Elagabalus, facing right. On the back, the goddess Venus is depicted holding an apple.. Silver . Ancient RomanSestertius (Coin) Portraying Lucilla 164 CE Roman Empire. Bronze . Ancient Roman1/4 Stater from Croton,Bruttium. Artist: CrotonSestertius (Coin) Portraying Julia Maesa 223 CE Roman Empire. Bronze . Ancient RomanCoin Portraying Emperor Constantine I. Roman, minted in Aquileia. Date: 317 AD. Dimensions: Diam. 2.1 cm; 3.67 g. Bronze. Origin: Roman Empire. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA. Author: ANCIENT ROMAN.12 cents of Reaal uit Haiti van Alexandre Pétion, 1817 ,, 1817 coin Silver coin. Front: head of the president to the left. Below year: an 14. Reverse: Palm tree rising from Trommel, behind which banners. Left and right of drum two guns, including stacking bullets. Below value indication: 12 C .. Smooth edge. silver (metal) striking (metalworking)Peace of Rijswijk, distributed to anyone who has not won a prize in the lottery of Muiden, Jan Luder (I), 1697 award medal Silver medal. Front: Mercy with peace branch turns Printed mother with child in her arms, on the right a bird inside. Reverse: War striking burning on an altar, for which two Meermannen hold coat of arms within Keering; Cut: year Netherlands silver (metal) striking (metalworking) Rijswijk. MuidenTetradrachm (Coin) Depicting the Goddess Tyche. Roman. Date: 114 BC-3 BC. Dimensions: Diam. 2.9 cm; 14.41 g. Silver. Origin: Roman Empire. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA. Author: ANCIENT ROMAN.Havenloodje met letter H, anonymous, 1808 One -sided brand shed. Front: four stamps; Upstairs: three pegs placed one above the other; Under: Letter H; In stamps left and right: year. Reverse: Blanco. Schippers had to purchase such a lead when they enter the port of Enkhuizen, to cover the costs of the lantern that stood on the so -called Danish head at the harbor entrance. Enkhuizen lead (metal) casting EnkhuizenDenarius of Vespasian, Emperor of Rome from MintO. Ruler: Vespasian, Emperor of Rome, A.D. 9-79, ruled 69-79 Mint: Mint OHonorand: Titus, Emperor of Rome, A.D. 39-81, ruled 79-81 Artist: UnknownPresence medal for fire from the peat carriers guild in Amsterdam 1639, Anonymous, c. 1639 history medal. medal Casted lead medal, on the front a fire bucket between 16 and 39, on the reverse number I. Amsterdam lead (metal) castingAntoninianus (Coin) Portraying Emperor Gallienus. Roman, minted in Siscia. Date: 260 AD-268 AD. Dimensions: Diam. 1.9 cm; 3.04 g. Billon. Origin: Roman Empire. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA. Author: ANCIENT ROMAN.1 Drachm fromChios. Mint: Chios Artist: UnknownCoin Portraying Emperor Antoninus Pius 149 CE-150 CE Egypt. The front of this coin portrays Emperor Antoninus Pius wearing a crown of laurels.On the back, the god Zeus Ammon is shown wearing a chiton and himation; his raised left hand rests on a tall scepter while his extended right hand holds a patera. A ram is seen emerging from behind him.. Bronze . Ancient RomanDenarius (Coin) Portraying Emperor Caracalla 201 CE-206 CE Roman Empire. The front of this coin portrays the emperor Caracalla, facing right.On the back, the goddess Victory is depicted holding a wreath.. Silver . Ancient RomanCoin Portraying Empress Faustina the Younger. Roman. Date: 161 AD-176 AD. Dimensions: Diam. 2.5 cm; 13.08 g. Bronze. Origin: Roman Empire. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA. Author: ANCIENT ROMAN.Havenloodje met letter H, anonymous, 1808 One -sided brand shed. Front: four stamps; Upstairs: three pegs placed one above the other; Under: Letter H; In stamps left and right: year. Reverse: Blanco. Schippers had to purchase such a lead when they enter the port of Enkhuizen, to cover the costs of the lantern that stood on the so -called Danish head at the harbor entrance. Enkhuizen lead (metal) casting EnkhuizenCoin Depicting the God Apollo. Greek. Date: 88 BC-50 BC. Dimensions: Diam. 2.4 cm; 7.67 g. Bronze. Origin: Ancient Greece. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.Obol (Coin) Depicting a Dove 400 BCE-323 BCE Ancient Greece. A dove, flying to the left, appears on both the front (obverse) and back (reverse) of this coin.. Silver . Ancient GreekTetradrachm (Coin) Portraying Alexander the Great. Roman or Greek. Date: 356 BC-323 BC. Dimensions: Diam. 2.8 cm; 16.75 g. Silver. Origin: Roman Empire. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA. Author: ANCIENT ROMAN.Coin Depicting the Goddess Athena 387 BCE-301 BCE Ancient Greece. Bronze . Ancient GreekDenarius (Coin) Depicting the Genius Populi Romani. Roman. Date: 55 BC. Dimensions: Diam. 1.8 cm; 4.13 g. Silver. Origin: Roman Empire. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA. Author: ANCIENT ROMAN.Coin Depicting an Olive Wreath. Roman; Palestine. Date: 30 AD-31 AD. Dimensions: Diam. 1.6 cm; 2.44 g. Bronze. Origin: Israel. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA. Author: Judean.Mint: Cyzicus, 1/96 Stater fromCyzicus, 600-550 B.C.?, Electrum, 0.19 g, 5.2mm, Made in Cyzicus, Mysia, Greek, 6th century B.C., NumismaticsCistophorus fromNysa. Mint: Nysa Artist: UnknownAs (Coin) Potraying Emperor Galerius. Roman, minted in Alexandria. Date: 305 AD-311 AD. Dimensions: Diam. 2.6 cm; 6.15 g. Bronze. Origin: Ancient Mediterranean. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.Coin Depicting Senate. Roman. Date: 193 AD-211 AD. Dimensions: Diam. 2.5 cm; 6.60 g. Bronze. Origin: Roman Empire. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA. Author: ANCIENT ROMAN.Ruler: Syennesis IIIMint: Tarsus, Stater of Syennesis III fromTarsus, 425-400 B.C., Silver, 10.255 g, 6:00, 20.5mm, Made in Tarsus, Cilicia, Greek, 5th century B.C., NumismaticsDenarius (Coin) Depicting a Laureate Struck 100 BCE-50 BCE Rome. The front of this coin depicts an inidentified man, facing right and wearing a crown of laurels.On the back, a soldier is shown on horseback and holding a lance.. Silver . Ancient RomanCoin Depicting the God Dionysos. Greek. Date: 133 BC. Dimensions: Diam. 1.7 cm; 5.23 g. Bronze. Origin: Ancient Greece. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.Two Zlote, emergency coin of Zamosk, beaten during the siege by the Austrians, Anonymous, 1813 coin. siege coin Front: Inscription above exploding grenade. Reverse: Value designation and year within Covering Zamosk (possibly) silver (metal) striking (metalworking) Zamoskdenarius. Fabius Labeo, Q. (fl. 124 a.C.), monetary officer, Republika Rzymska, issuerTetradrachm (Coin) Portraying King Ptolemy I. Greco-Egyptian. Date: 53 BC-52 BC. Dimensions: Diam. 2.6 cm; 14.06 g. Silver. Origin: Egypt. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA. Author: ANCIENT GREEK.Coin Portraying Julia Maesa. Roman. Date: 165 AD-224 AD. Dimensions: Diam. 2.2 cm; 6.16 g. Bronze. Origin: Roman Empire. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA. Author: ANCIENT ROMAN.Denarius (Coin) Depicting the God Janus. Roman, minted in Rome. Date: 119 BC. Dimensions: Diam. 2 cm; 3.84 g. Silver. Origin: Italy. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA. Author: ANCIENT ROMAN.Coin Portraying Emperor Constantius I 293 CE-306 CE Roman Empire. Bronze . Ancient RomanCoin Depicting the Amazon Cyme 250 BCE-190 BCE Ancient Greece. Bronze . Ancient GreekPayment medal of 2½ cents of the cooperative store association Eendracht Makes Magt in Hilversum, 1875 - 1900 history medal Round brass picture with inner sets (star) / 2½ C brass (alloy)Coin Portraying Emperor Constans 340 CE Roman Empire. The front (obverse) of this coin portrays the emperor Constans, facing right.On the back (reverse), two soldiers are depicted flanking military standards.. Bronze . Ancient RomanAE. Mitrydates IV (król Partii ; 129-140), rulerDenarius (Coin) Depicting the Goddess Ceres 63 BCE Roman Empire. The front of this coin depicts the goddess Ceres wearing a crown of grain and facing right. A grain of barley is depicted before her, and a spear of grain is depicted behind her.On the back, a curule chair is shown between two fasces.. Silver . Ancient RomanDenarius (Coin) Portraying King Philip II. Roman. Date: 244 AD-247 AD. Dimensions: Diam. 2.2 cm; 3.77 g. Silver. Origin: Rome. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA. Author: ANCIENT ROMAN.Dutch Double Stuiver, 1761, Province of Holland, 1761 coin Silver coin. Front: between value designation 2 s crowned coat of arms of Holland. Reversal: Inscription: Provincial name in three lines, including year. Dordrecht silver (metal) striking (metalworking)Tappersgilde van Deventer, Anonymous, 1676 medal Brass oval medal with hole in it. Front: Geschenkan. Reverse: inscription. Deventer brass (alloy) engraving DeventerFollis (40 Nummi) of Maurice Tiberius, Byzantine Emperor fromAntioch. Ruler: Maurice Tiberius, Byzantine Emperor, A.D. 539-602, ruled 582-602 Mint: Antioch Artist: UnknownStater (Coin) Depicting a Satyr and Nymph. Greek, minted in Thasos, Thrace. Date: 500 BC-463 BC. Dimensions: Diam. 2.1 cm; 9.23 g. Silver. Origin: Thásos. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA. Author: ANCIENT GREEK.Ruler: Aurelian, Emperor of Rome, A.D. 214-275, ruled 270-75, Mint: Siscia, Radiate fromSiscia, 270-75, Base silver, 3.63 g, 12:00, 21mm, Made in Siscia, Pannonia, Roman, 3rd century A.D., NumismaticsDenarius (Coin) Depicting a Bearded Man. Roman. Date: 90 BC. Dimensions: Diam. 1.9 cm; 3.85 g. Silver. Origin: Roman Empire. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA. Author: ANCIENT ROMAN.Denarius (Coin) Portraying Emperor Titus. Roman. Date: 72 AD-73 AD. Dimensions: Diam. 1.9 cm; 3.47 g. Silver. Origin: Rome. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA. Author: ANCIENT ROMAN.Denarius (Coin) Portraying Emperor Trajan. Roman, minted in Rome. Date: 103 AD-111 AD. Dimensions: Diam. 1.9 cm; 3.09 g. Silver. Origin: Roman Empire. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA. Author: ANCIENT ROMAN.Ommerschans (), Huismunt worth ½ cent, Anonymous, in or after 1822 - in or before 1830 coin one -sided coin. Front: value indication; At the top right, taken in the lead: beat with inscription 'A Elst'. Reverse: Blanco Ommerschans (Possible) tin plate striking (metalworking) OldSilver Fanam from Madras in British India under the East India Company, 1764-1807 ,, 1764 - 1807 coin Silver coin. Front: Image of the Deity Vishnu. Rail side: two letters C = Company desired to each other. silver (metal) striking (metalworking)Obverse view. Greek Coin of Alexander III, Macedonia, 336 - 323BC. .Civil Cavalry in Batavia, Anonymous, 1727 Silver medal. Front: rider with lance on horseback inside Cover. Reverse: Trophee consisting of straced boots, banners with brushes, arrows, brushes, rug and sword with laurel wreath around it; At the top three silver brands. Jogjakarta silver (metal) striking (metalworking) BataviaPayment medal of 1 cent of the cooperative store association Eendracht Makes Magt in Hilversum ,, 1875 - 1900 history medal Round brass picture with inner sets (star) / 1 C brass (alloy)Abruzzo, L'Aquila, S. Giuliano (L'Aquila environs), Museo, Italy, 20th century, photo, photography, EuropeFifty -year commemoration of the Battle of Waterloo 1865 ,, 1865 history medal Pennin penny with removed carriering, on the front a rider to the right with a change, four lines of text between crossed laurel and palm branches. tin (metal) castingStater fromBabylon. Mint: Babylon Artist: Unknown Honorand: Alexander the Great, King of Macedonia, 356-323 B.C., ruled 336-23 B.C.Mint: Sardis, Stater fromSardis, 560-525 B.C., Gold, 8.055 g, 15mm, Made in Sardis, Lydia, Greek, 6th century B.C., NumismaticsDupondius (Coin) Portraying Germanicus Caesar 15 BCE-19 CE Roman Empire. The front of this coin portrays the Roman general Germanicus in his triumphal quadriga.On the back, Germanicus is shown standing.. Bronze . Ancient RomanDenarius (Coin) Depicting the Goddess Roma. Roman. Date: 109 BC-108 BC. Dimensions: Diam. 1.9 cm; 3.75 g. Silver. Origin: Roman Empire. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA. Author: ANCIENT ROMAN.2 Marck from the Rijksstad Aachen in the name of Emperor Frans I, 1753 ,, 1753 coin Silver coin. Front: Crowned Charlemagne with Rijksappel and Scepter and for itself the coat of arms of the city. Reverse: Value designation in three lines, including year. Smooth edge. silver (metal) striking (metalworking)1 As of Tiberius, Emperor of Rome fromRome. Ruler: Tiberius, Emperor of Rome, 42 B.C.-A.D. 37 Mint: RomeHonorand: Augustus, Emperor of Rome, 63 B.C.-A.D. 14, ruled 27 B.C.-A.D. 14Stater (Coin) Depicting a Sea Turtle. Greek. Date: 650 BC-600 BC. Dimensions: Diam. 2 cm; 12.22 g. Silver. Origin: Greece. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA. Author: ANCIENT GREEK.Coin Depicting the Goddess Tyche. Roman; minted in Magnesia ad Sipylum, Lydia (). Date: 238 AD-244 AD. Dimensions: Diam. 1.9 cm; 3.57 g. Bronze. Origin: Roman Empire. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA. Author: ANCIENT ROMAN.Stater (Coin) Depicting the Goddess Kore. Greek, minted in Metapontum, Italy. Date: 330 BC-300 BC. Dimensions: Diam. 2.1 cm; 7.65 g. Silver. Origin: Metapontum. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA. Author: ANCIENT GREEK.Lazio Roma Subiaco Monastery of S. Scolastica Archaeological Museum13. Hutzel, Max 1960-1990 Antiquities: Views of antiquities in museum, including sarcophagi, plates, vases, coins. General Notes: Hutzel guide says we have negatives, but we cannot find them. German-born photographer and scholar Max Hutzel (1911-1988) photographed in Italy from the early 1960s until his death. The result of this project, referred to by Hutzel as Foto Arte Minore, is thorough documentation of art historical development in Italy up to the 18th century, including objects of the Etruscans and the Romans, as well as early Medieval, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque monuments. Images are organized by geographic region in Italy, then by province, city, site complex and monument.Coin Depicting a Double Cornucopia Struck 135 BCE-76 BCE Israel. The front (obverse) of this coin depicts a double cornucopia, while the back (reverse) depicts a laurel wreath with an as yet untranslated inscription.. Bronze . JudeanKeeshondje, carrying sign in honor of Hendrik Danielsz. Hooft, mayor of Amsterdam, Anonymous, 1787 Silver medal. Front: breastpiece man. Riddate: Dog with pointed mouth, hairy head and neck with moons, smooth abdomen and long -lengthed tail, which hangs back on the back with loop sinks back Netherlands silver (metal) AmsterdamCoins of Uzbeg Khan by Numismatic, Ancient Coins / Private Collection / Numismatics / ca 1320 / / Copper / Objects /Histamenon (Coin) of Romanus III Argyrus with Christ Enthroned Struck 1028-1034 Constantinople. Portraits of important people appear on local currency all around the world. The same was true in ancient Rome, which began producing its first coinage in the late 4th century BC. Early coins depicted the heads of gods and goddesses on the front side, often in profile, while the back depicted animals, natural resources, symbols, and references to historical events. It was not until 44 BC that the portrait of a living personóJulius Caesaróappeared on coins. Thereafter, profile portraits of rulers or other members of the imperial family became the standard subject on coins throughout the Roman Empire.Inscriptions on coins help identify the ruler. While the front side depicted the sovereignís portrait, the back was often used to communicate the rulerís accomplishments or aspirations. Until Late Antiquity, portraits usually appeared in profile. The tiny images were carved by engravers into bronzAnonymous (n. - d.), Louis XIII (main title), 1620. Copper alloy. Clear brown patina. Patinated plaster. Petit Palais, Museum of Fine Arts of the City of Paris.