Roman Republican Coins

When and where were Roman Republican coins minted?

Roman Republican coins were minted during the period of the Roman Republic, which lasted from 509 BC to 27 BC. The territories of the Republic included the Italian Peninsula and expanded all over the Mediterranean world. The coins were primarily minted in Rome, the capital city of the Republic, but also in several other cities and mints throughout Italy. Rome had multiple minting facilities known as "mint workshops" where coins were produced under the supervision of mint magistrates, who chose the designs and legends. This allowed the coins to serve as a means of political advertisement, often featuring the families of these officials. Among the most common types of coins were the as and the denarius, which held cultural and economic significance within the Republic and played a role in promoting political agendas through their imagery and inscriptions.

What are the oldest Roman Republican coins?

The oldest Republican coins are known as Aes Signatum, which date back to the 4th century BC. This type of coin was a bronze ingot that was used for the exchange of goods and services. The ingots were typically cast in rectangular disks and their value was determined by their weight, with larger ingots holding higher worth than smaller ones. Around the 3rd century BC, the Aes Signatum gave way to Aes Grave, a more standardized form of Roman currency made from cast bronze. These were disk-shaped with a hollow centre. Aes Grave came in various denominations, including as, semis, triens, quadrans, sextans, and uncia, with the as being the largest denomination. Their reverse depicted various symbols, including animals, agricultural implements, or military equipment. From 225 BC onwards, they started to feature the prow of a galley in the reverse and different deities, like Janus for the as, Saturn for the semis, etc. in the obverse.

What was the Roman Republican currency system like?

The Roman Republican currency system underwent significant evolution over time. In its early stages during the Roman Kingdom and early Roman Republic, the Roman currency was primarily based on a system of bronze weights. However, this system was gradually replaced during the 3rd century BC by a coin-based one. For this purpose, the Roman Republic introduced various coin denominations, including the as, semis, triens, quadrans, sextans, and uncia. The as, the largest denomination, was initially made of bronze and weighed one pound, although it reduced its weight over time. The smaller denominations were fractions of the as, with reduced weight and size. During the late Republic, around 211 BC, the silver denarius was introduced, which became the standard silver currency unit. However, gold coins were minted on rare occasions as well.

Which Roman Republican coins can you purchase at VCoins?

At VCoins, you can purchase Roman Republican coins, which include those coins minted from 320 BC until the beginning of the Roman Imperatorial period with the First Triumvirate in 59 BC. The coins are listed alphabetically by gens (Roman families), such as the Aquillia, Calpurnia, Cordia, Julia, Pompeia and Valeria. Moreover, we also have a section dedicated to pre-denarius coins.

What were the common designs and inscriptions found on Roman Republican coins?

Roman Republican coins featured a variety of designs and inscriptions that reflected the political, cultural, and religious aspects of the Roman Republic. The obverse of many coins depicted the head of Roma, the personification of Rome, which symbolized the authority and power of the city as the dominant force in the Republic. Others featured the heads of various gods and goddesses from the Roman pantheon. The reverse of the coins often displayed symbols of power, such as an eagle, a chariot, or a fasces. Moreover, they bore the names, titles, or sometimes even the portraits of magistrates who held positions of authority in the Republic. This served as a form of political propaganda and promotion for them and their families. Finally, Roman Republican coins carried inscriptions that provided information about the issuing authority, denominations, and sometimes historical events or achievements. These often included Latin words such as "ROMA".

¿What are the highest-valued Roman Republican coins?

Roman Republican coins generally do not reach the same high values as coins from later periods of Roman history. However, there are still some Roman Republican coins that can command significant prices in the market due to their rarity, historical importance or their good state of preservation. Some varieties of Aes Grave, especially the heavier denominations, can be highly valued due to their scarcity and historical significance as some of the earliest Roman coinage. Another example of a valuable coin is the Serrate Denarii, which are also often sought by collectors due to their unique design featuring serrated edges.

Which gens minted more coins?

During the Roman Republic, several gens (families) had a notable presence in the production of coins, including the Julia, the Pompeia and the Valeria gens. All of them were patrician families known for their involvement in the Republic and the coins bearing their names showcased their prominence and influence. The Julia Gens produced several notable figures, including Julius Caesar himself. The Pompeia gens, connected to the renowned military commander Pompey the Great, played a significant role in Roman politics and military campaigns. Lastly, the Valeria Gens also held various political offices and military commands.

Aquillia

The gens Aquillia or Aquilia was a plebeian family of great antiquity in Ancient Rome. Two of the Aquillii were counted among the Roman nobles involved in a plot to reinstate the Tarquins, and a member named Gaius Aquillius Tuscus held the consulship in 487 BC. The nomen Aquilius or Aquillius likely derived from the Latin word "aquila," meaning eagle. While the name is commonly inscribed as Aquillius on coins and inscriptions, manuscripts often spell it with a single "l." Notably, the imagery on their coins suggests a special devotion to Sol, a rarity during the Republican era.

Calpurnia

The Calpurnia gens, a plebeian family in Ancient Rome, held a lineage that can be traced back to the third century BC. They claimed descent from Calpus, the son of Numa Pompilius, the second King of Rome. That is why some of the coins of the Calpurnii feature Numa’s head. The first of the gens to obtain the consulship was Gaius Calpurnius Piso in 180 BC. From that point forward, their consulships became frequent, elevating the Pisones branch of the family to one of great distinction in Rome. Moreover, members of the Calpurnia gens played pivotal roles in the enactment of two significant pieces of Republican legislation: the lex Calpurnia in 149 BC and the lex Acilia Calpurnia in 67 BC. These legislative contributions further solidified the family's influence and impact on Roman governance.

Cordia

The Cordia gens was a prominent plebeian family in Ancient Rome. While not as well-known as some other noble families, they still held significance in Roman society. It is believed that this gens originated in the early centuries of the Roman Republic. However, specific details regarding their origins and ancestral lineage remain elusive due to limited historical records. The family likely held positions in various spheres of Roman life, including politics and military service, something which is reflected in the high amount of coins bearing their name.

Julia

The gens Julia stood among the most prominent patrician families in ancient Rome, whose members attained the highest honours and positions of the state in the earliest times of the Republic. The gens is most renowned for the figure of Gaius Julius Caesar, the dictator and grand uncle of Emperor Augustus, through whom the name was passed to the so-called Julio-Claudian dynasty of the first century AD. As the Empire expanded, the nomen Julius became increasingly prevalent, since the descendants of those granted citizenship under the early emperors started to make contributions to history. Among the Julii during the Republican era, notable family names included Caesar, Iulus, Mento, and Libo. However, Caesar and Iulus were especially renowned, with the former making a significant impact in the final century of the Republic. On coins attributed to the Julii, the only names found are Caesar and Bursio.

Pompeia

The origins of the gens Pompeia, a plebeian family in ancient Rome, go back to the second century BC. From that moment until the imperial times, the members of this gens frequently occupied the highest positions of the Roman state. In this sense, the first Pompeius to attain the consulship was Quintus Pompeius in 141 BC. However, it was Gnaeus Pompeius, also known as Pompey the Great, who brought unparalleled renown to the gens. Pompey was a distinguished general who served under the dictator Sulla and then became a member of the First Triumvirate alongside Caesar and Crassus. Following Crassus's death, the intense rivalry between Caesar and Pompey led to the Civil War, a conflict that marked the culmination of the Roman Republic.

Valeria

The gens Valeria, a patrician family in ancient Rome, emerged at the very beginning of the Republic and remained prominent until the latest period of the Empire. According to tradition, the Valerii traced their roots to the Sabine people and arrived in Rome alongside Titus Tatius shortly after the city's foundation. In the year 509 BC, Publius Valerius Poplicola, a member of the Valerii, became consul during the overthrowing of the Tarquins. From that moment onwards, this gens produced celebrated statesmen and generals. The Valerii were held in such regard that several emperors proudly claimed descent from this lineage, incorporating the Valerius name into their official nomenclature. Despite being a patrician family, the Valerii were noteworthy for their support of plebeian causes. In this regard, many important laws protecting the rights of the plebeians were sponsored by them.

Lucretia

The gens Lucretia held a prominent position within the Roman Republic. Originally a patrician family, it eventually incorporated several plebeian branches. The Lucretii were one of the most ancient gentes, as their origin can be traced back to the early days of Rome. Notably, Lucretia, the second wife of Numa Pompilius, the second King of Rome, bore the Lucretia name. The first of this gens to attain the consulship was Spurius Lucretius Tricipitinus in 509 BC, the first year of the Republic. Among the Lucretii, the cognomen Tricipitinus was exclusive to the patrician branch, while the plebeian families distinguished themselves through surnames such as Gallus, Ofella, and Vespillo. Coins bear the cognomen Trio, although there is no explicit mention of it in any ancient writings. Additionally, a few members of the Lucretii are mentioned without any surname.