Coins of the Romans Relating to Britain By John Y.
Akerman, Published 1836.DEDICATION.
TO
JOHN LEE, ESQUIRE,
L.L.D., F.R.S., F.S.A., F.R.A.S.
OF HAETWELL HOUSE, IN THE COUNTY OF
BUCKINGHAM.
SIR,
IN soliciting your countenance to this little work, I
cannot refrain from gratifying my own feelings, even at a
risk of doing violence to yours, by publicly acknowledging
the obligations I owe to you, for the uniform readiness and
urbanity with which you have, at all times, met my enquiries
on the interesting subject to which it relates.
During your travels in the East, you had abundant
evidence, from the most authentic sources, of the extent of
that mighty empire, of the medallic memorials of whose sway
over Britain, I here present a brief but I trust faithful
account.
In the earnest hope, that my endeavours may assist in
promoting that study, the advancement of which you have so
much at heart,
I remain, Sir, with great respect,
Your faithful humble Servant,
JOHN YONGE AKERMAN.
CONTENTS,
INTRODUCTION.......................................Page 1
CLAUDIUS..........................................................7
BRITANNICUS..................................................11
HADRIANUS......................................................15
ANTONINUS
PIUS............................................18
COMMODUS....................................................
24
SEVERUS............................................................29
CARACALLA.....................................................37
GETA...................................................................41
ROMAN COINS SUPPOSED TO BE THE WORK OF
FORGERS........................................44
CARAUSIUS.......................................................47
ALLECTUS.........................................................60
CONSTANTINUS..............................................63
FAUSTA..............................................................68
CRISPUS.............................................................69
CONSTANTINUS THE YOUNGER..................70
ADDENDA.........................................................75
PREFACE.
THE object of this little work, is to bring under
one view the Coins of the Romans which relate to the
province of Britain. It is hoped that such an attempt will
not only find favour with the antiquary and the numismatist,
but will also interest all who are curious in the early
history of our island; some of the principal events in
which, during a long period of the Roman occupation, are
recorded on the coins of the conquerors.
The remark of Gibbon, that 'diligence and accuracy are
the only merits which an historical writer may ascribe to
himself,' is still more applicable to compilations of this
description: there is little room for fancy or ornament; but
the authentic information which they supply, affords ample
amends for any deficiency of style, and supplies the place
of elaborate embellishment.
I must add, that the notes for this tract were made
during brief intervals of leisure, and that I have taken
great pains to exclude such coins as are of questionable
authenticity. To those who may complain of its brevity, I
have only to remark, that I might have made it much larger
if I had dealt in conjecture; but, as I preferred matter of
fact to wild speculation, and rejected the fanciful
relations of the over-zealous for the indisputable evidence
of antiquity, I could not have increased its size without
travelling beyond the limits I had prescribed to myself.
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Page 1
INTRODUCTION.
IN the following pages I have endeavoured to describe a
series of ancient coins, which to an Englishman must, of all
others, be the most interesting. The plates have been
engraved, with the most strict attention to accuracy, from
drawings made expressly for this work from the well
preserved originals in the British Museum, from the
collection of the French king, and various private cabinets
in this country. Some of these coins have been figured in
Camden, Speed, and other writers on the early history of
Britain, but all so unlike the originals as to cause much
embarrassment to the inexperienced collector; even
Pinkerton, ever ready to pounce upon the errors of others,
contented himself with copying ill-engraved and
unauthenticated representations. The plates, therefore,
which accompany this volume claim the attention of the
numismatist on the score of their fidelity.
I have confined myself to a description of those coins
only which have direct allusion to Britain.
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It is evident that others were struck by the Romans to
commemorate events in this country; but, in order to save
much repetition, I have given descriptions of those only
which bear the word BRITANNIA either at length, or in a
contracted form, and such as are considered by many to have
been minted in this country.
The coins of the Romans have descended to us in
prodigious numbers. In every country once included in their
vast empire, numerous hoards in the three metals, have, from
time to time, been brought to light. In England, France,
Italy, Germany, and the more remote provinces of the East,
innumerable discoveries during the last two centuries have
enriched the cabinets of the curious, and proved a source of
information and delight to the historian, the antiquary, and
the artist.
With a foresight which has seldom been evinced by modern
nations, the Romans celebrated those deeds which have been
the admiration of succeeding ages, in a manner peculiarly
their own. Time and accident might destroy temples and
statues, upon which the genius and skill of the architect
and the sculptor had been lavished, but their coins were
calculated to perpetuate their fame to the remotest times. The triumphal arch, defaced and over-thrown, exhibits but
disjointed portions of its once high-sounding inscription;
but numerous coins
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remain uninjured, bearing the sententious legends-IVDAEACAPTA - VICTORIAEBRITTANNICAE -AEGYPTO CAPTA - and a
multitude of others of almost equal interest.' If all our
historians were lost to us,' says Gibbon, ' medals and
inscriptions would alone record the travels of Hadrian. 'The coins of the Romans were, in fact, their gazettes, which
were published in the most distant provinces; and they are
at this day discovered in remote regions where our own
records have, in all probability, never reached. Did they
obtain a victory or reduce a province, coins were issued in
vast numbers, upon which the vanquished were depicted with
their characteristic arms and costume. Did the emperor
visit the province as pacificator, coins appeared, upon
which he was represented in a civil habit, raising up the
prostrate female who represents the country which had won
the imperial favour. The remission of taxes, the raising of
temples to their deities, and public buildings for the
people, the forming of public ways, the celebration of games
and sacrifices, and the records of traditions when Rome
herself was young, are all found in in finite variety on the
coins of that once mighty empire.
Such were the types which the Romans impressed upon their
coins-' the common drudge of retail traffic. 'Of their
execution as works of art,
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enough has been already said by various writers, and we
know that they have been the admiration of the most eminent
sculptors of modern times.
My observations, with one or two exceptions, are confined
to the coins themselves. A history of Roman Britain could
not have been comprised within the limits of a work like the
present; indeed, the early records of most countries
present a finer field for the imagination of the poet than
the sober relation of the historian: yet, reNete with fable
and romance as is the early history of Britain, it is some
consolation to the antiquary to find a few authentic relics
which bear upon the early times of our ancestors. From the
first landing of Julius Caesar to the final abandonment of
the island by the Romans, the history of Britain presents,
with few intervals, one long scene of cruelty and
extortion. Barbarian retaliation frequently followed
civilized aggression, and war and slaughter were often
preferred by the wretched islanders to the grinding taxation
of their oppressors. Of the manner in which the taxes of the
Romans were laid upon conquered countries, we have many
relations:
even their own poet, Juvenal, has lashed them for the
cruel exactions practised upon those states which had the
misfortune to become tributary to them. Wretched indeed must
have been the condition of the Britons when the Romans
quitted for ever their
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island province; debased by long servitude, and tainted
by the vices of their civilized oppressors, they were an easy
prey to the barbarian hordes who threatened to overwhelm
them: and of the dark period which succeeded we have but
faint records, unrelieved by inscriptions or medallic
evidence.
Page 6
Nec stetit Oceano, remisque ingressa profundum,
Vincendos alio quaesivit in orbe britannos,
Haee est in gremium victos quae sola recepit.
Humanumque genus comumuni nomine forvit;
Matris, non dominae ritu, civesque vocavit
Quosdomuit nexuque pio longinqua revinxit.
CLAUDIAN. PANEC. 3. in STILICONEM.
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ROMAN BRITISH COINS.
CLAUDIUS.
[A.D. 41 TO A.D. 54.]
THE first Roman coin having allusion to Britain was
struck in the fifth year of this emperor's reign. A fugitive
British lord, having fled to the Roman court, entertained
the emperor with an account of the island, and assured him
that its complete subjugation might easily be effected.
Claudius, it appears, lent a ready ear to the traitor; and
when the British ambassadors entreated that he might be
given up to them, Claudius treated their request with
disdain, and kept the fugitive in his favour. This treatment
was, of course, resented. Excuses were not wanting for a
quarrel with the Britons; and it was now discovered that
their tribute had not been regularly paid. Mutual
recrimination fol-
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lowed; and finally Plantius, the Roman general, was
despatched with an army into Britain, and Clandius prepared
to follow him. After a succession of skirmishes, in which
the Romans, though often great sufferers, were generally the
victors, the Britons sustained a signal defeat.
Claudius about this time landed in person, and the
Britons were again defeated with great slaughter*.It is
said that the war was ended in fifteen days, and that
Claudius shewed great clemency to the vanquished Britons,
who paid him divine honours. Plautius in reward for his
services oh-tamed the government of Britain, and after the
departure of the emperor, carried on the war against the
provinces not yet tributary to tlse Roman arms.
*Suctonius, however, says that the revolt was quelled
without bloodshed;-' Ac sine nib praeho aut sanguine, intra
paucissimos dies parte insulae in deditionem recepta:' an
account which agrees with an inscription in the Bar-berini
palace at Rome
TI CLAVDIO CAES
AVGVST0
PONTIFICIMAXTR. PIX
COSV IMPXVIPP
SENATVSPOPVL QR QVOD
REGESBRITANNIAEABSQ
VLAIACTVRA - DOMVERIT
GENTESQVE BARBARAS
PRIMVSINDICIO SVBEGERIT.
Dion Cassius, on the contrary, says that it cost the
Romans a hard-fought battle.
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Obverse. TI CLAVD CAESAR AVGPMTRP VIIIIIMPXVI.Tiberias Claudius Caesar Angustus, Pen
tifex Maxim us, Tribunitia Pontestatenonum, imperater
decimum sextum. Laureated head of Claudius to the right.
Reverse.DE' BRITANN (or BRITAN), on the front of a
triumphal arch, surmounted by an equestrian statue between
two trophies. Plate I. No. 1.
I cannot do better than quote the words of Dr. Cardwefl
in illustration of this coin.' It is evident,' he
observes, 'from the date given to the Trib. pot. that
this coin was not minted before the middle of the year 46
after Christ, although we know from Dio that a triumph for
his victories in Britain had been decreed by the senate
three years previously, and had actually been celebrated in
the year 44.The coins, however, which bear our inscription
are in gold and silver, and were therefore minted by the
emperor*; they were minted, too, as appears from the
reverse, in commemoration of the triumphal arch erected by
the senate (2), and therefore could not be well issued till
some time had elapsed after his return from Britain. It is
worthy of remark, that although Claudius was partial to the
title of Imperator, and even on some of his
* The coinage of brass money was evidently under the
control of the senate, while that of gold and silver was at
the command of the emperor.
(2) Dio, lib. 2.
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coins is styled IMP XXVII, he uses it in no instance as a
prlenomen, confirming thereby the words of Suetonius, who
says expressly, ' Proenomine Imperatoris abstinuit*,'
hut at the same time leading to the permanent abuse of the
title as a token of victory, by the frequency and absurdity
of the occasions on which he adopted it (2).
This coin is by no means uncommon in gold, but is of
considerable rarity in silver.
I have next to notice a remarkable and unique silver
medallion formerly in the Museum Hedervarium, a
collection now dispersed.
Obverse. TI CLAVD CAESAR AVG GERM PMTRP. Tiberius Claudius Caesar Asrestes Germanicus,
Pentifex Maximus, Tribunitia Potestate. Laureated head
of Claudius to the left.
Reverse. DEBRITANNIS. The emperor in a quadriga
his right hand resting on its edge; his left holding a
sceptre surmounted by an eagle.
The catalogue states that it was obtained through Mr.
Millingen, whose antiquarian knowledge and skill in medallic
science forbid us to doubt the authenticity of this
interesting medallion. It is described as 'in aversa
repercussus.
* Cap. 12.
(2) When the title IMPerator precedes the
name on coins, it has a different signification, and implies
supreme power; but when it follows the name, it is simply a
military title.
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BRITANNICUS.
[Born A. D. 42.-Poisoned A. D. 55.]
THE original name of this son of Claudius was
Germanicus; but he received that of Britannicus in
consequence of the victories obtained by Claudius in
Britain, and is better known in history by the latter name. Through the intrigues of Agrippina, his stepmother, he was
removed from the succession to the empire to make room for
her son Nero, by whom he was poisoned, A. D. 55The coin
here engraved is described by Eckhel, and considered by him
unique.
Obverse.TI CLAVDIVSCAESARAVGFBRITANNICVS.
Tiberius Claudius Caesar, Augusti Pilii, Britannicus.Bare head of Britannicus to the right.
Reverse.S C.Senatus Consulto. Mars
marching to the right with spear and shield.
Alabanda, Thessalonica, Nicomedia, ilium, and other Greek cities,
struck coins in honour of this unfortunate prince; but as
they belong to a distinct senes, they are not here
described. I cannot, however, pass over two coins in the
cabinet of Mr. Thomas, who jnsfly hoMe them in high
estimation. The first is of gold.
I.
Obverse. No legend. The laureated
head of Claudius to the right.
Reverse.Bare head of Britannicas to the right:
behind it, the letters BAKO in monogram. These letters are
the abbreviation for BAatXiog KOrvoc [money] of King
Cotys. Beneath the head, the Greek numeral letters BMT,
which signify 342 of the era of the kingdom of Bosphorus,
answering to the year of Rome 798, or A. D. 46, and thus
agreeing with the gold coin of Claudius. Plate VI No.1.
The other coin is of copper.
II.
Obverse. The head of Cotys, king of the Bosphorus,
encircled by the regal diadem or flilet, and the hair
reaching to the shoulders. Behind, the monogram, composed of
the letters BA KO, as in the preceding coin. These princes
are always thus represented on their coins.
Reverse. KAIEAPOE' BPETANNIKOE. Caesaris Britannici. Bare
head of Britannicus to the right. Plate VI No.2.
Page 13
Both these coins are of great rarity. The first is,
perhaps, the only one in this country; the other is, in all
probability, unique, and is now published for the first
time.
Few cabinets in England possess coins of this rare
series; and it is on this account, as well as from the
interest attached to them owing to the circumstance of their
illustrating each other, that they are here admitted. 'It
may not be amiss to remind the reader,' remarks Mr. Thomas,
in the observations with which he accompanied the drawings
he so kindly permitted me to make of these interesting
objects, 'that, until the time of Domitian, the portraits of
the kings of the Cimmerian Bosphorns (a country now known as
the Crimea), are seldom, if ever, found upon their gold
coins *: that on one side the head of the contemporary Roman
emperor is generally found in lieu of it, and on the other,
that of the Caesar or nearest relative of the emperor. Even
the names of the kings of the Bosphorus are not given at
length, but in a monogram or contracted form: the date,
however, always found upon them, indicates the year in which
they were minted.'
* M. Mionnet, in his excellent Description de Medailles
Antiques' (tom. ii. p.369), describes one of the portraits
upon each of the coins numbered 54 to 58, as of Rhescuporis
the First, king of the Bosphorus; hut Visconti, in his 'Iconographie
Crecque' (tom. ii. p.153), supposes them to be portraits of
Romans, and does not admit them in that work because they do
not belong to the series of Greek portraits.
Page 14
The celebrated Visconti,' continues Mr. Thomas, was
the first, who, upon an inspection of the identical gold
coin here described*, pronounced the juvenile portrait which
it bears to be that of Britannicus (2); an opinion which was
sanctioned by the date, which shews that the piece was
struck while Messalina, the mother of that prince, yet
lived, and was in the plenitude of her power and influence. It would appear, that it was not until after the death of
that empress, when the crafty Agrippina had become the wife
of the imbecile Claudius, and advanced her son (by her first
marriage), that Cotys caused the portrait of Nero to be
engraved on his gold coins.
Since the publication of Visconti's valuable
'Iconoyrophie Grecque,' the copper coin described
above, has been discovered; and, while it proves beyond
doubt, that the youthful portraits are of the same
personage, confirms the opinion which that able antiquary
had ventured upon the gold one. The value and interest of
this coin are greatly increased on account of its being the
only one bearing a portrait of Cotys the First.
*This coin was formerly in the collection of M. Allier.
(2) Iconographie Grecque, tom. ii. p.158. 4to. edit.
1811.
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HADRIANUS.
A.D. 117 TO A.D. 138
IN the reign of this prince the Britons revolted; and Julius Severus was recalled to proceed against the Jews, who
had made an effort to re-cover their liberty. The
Caledonians also destroyed several forts which had been
erected by Agricola*. Hadrian, with three legions, arrived
in time to prevent the Britons from throwing off the Roman
yoke, and to protect the northern frontiers of the province,
built a wall which extended from the Tyne in Northumberland
to the Eden in Cumberland. The war does not appear to have
been of long continuance; and the southern Britons,
protected from the incursions of their savage neighbours,
were evidently content to bear the Roman yoke. Hadrian's
arrival in Britain is commemorated by a large brass coin
struck in the year of Rouse 874, A.D. 121.
Obverse. HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P. Hadrianus
Augustus, Consul tertium, Pater Patriae. Laureated host
of iladrianos, with the chlamys buckled over the right
shoulder.
Reverse. ADVENTVS AVGBRITANNIAE. Adventus
Augusti Britanniae. In the exergue, S. C. An
* The Roman general bad previously bad some skirmishing
with the northern inhabitant shut his presence was
considered of more importance in the east.
Page 16
altar with the fire kindled placed between the emperor in
the toga, who holds a patera, and a female figure, a victim
lying at her feet. Plate I. No.5.
There is another very rare coin in large brass.
Obverse. HADRIANYS AVG COS III. fladrianus
Augustus, Consul tertium. Laureated head of Hadrianus to
the right.
Reverse. BRITANNIA. A female figure seated, her
right foot resting on a rock, her head resting on her right
hand, and spear in her left; by her side a large shield,
with a spike in the centre. Plate I. No.4.
Most antiquaries believe the figure on the reverse of
this coin to be the province of Britain personified. It
cannot be Rome; and the absence of characteristic attributes
of the island, is in all probability owing to the ignorance
of the engraver of the die, which was doubtless not executed
in Britain.
Second or middle brass coins of Hadrian also bear
allusion to Britain of these there are two varieties.
Obverse. HADRIANVS AVG COS III. Hadrianus
Augustus, Consul tertium. Laureated head of the
Emperor,
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.holding a javelin, hen right hand supporting her head; a
large shield by her side, with a long spike in the centre.
Plate 1. No.2.
The attitude of repose given to the figure on the reverse
of this coin, the type of which resembles that of the large
brass, would seem to imply that it was struck when peace had
been restored in Britain.
II.
Obverse. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS COS III. Hadrianus
Augustus, Consul tertium. Laureated head of the emperor.
Reverse. PONT MAX TR POT COS III-PP. Pontifex
maximus, Tribunitia Potestate, Consul tertium, Pater Patriae;
in the exergue, BRITANNIA. A female figure as on the
preceding coin. Plate 1 No. 3.
Havercamp thinks these figures are intended to represent
the secure, but watchful state of the province. The attitude
of repose signifies that the Britons have no longer cause to
dread the incursions of their barbarian neighbours; while
the spear and shield indicate that the province is prepared
to repel any attack.
Coins of Hadrianus with the legends EXERCITVS'
emperor. BRITANNICVS and RESTITVTORIBRITANNIAE
Page 18
have been given by early writers, but they are not
authenticated *.
An eminent numismatist informs me that he never saw one
in any of the cabinets he has inspected either at home or
abroad. Nevertheless, it is not impossible that such coins
were struck.
No gold or silver coin of Hadrian, with allusion to
Britain, is known; a deficiency for which it is difficult to
account, as the coins of that prince, in geld and silver,
are exceedingly numerous.
ANTONINUS PIUS.
[A.D. 138 ~e AD. 161.3
THE coins of this emperor have been found iii great
numbers in England; and one hearing 'Britannia,'
has now and then been discovered among them; but there are
several varieties of this interesting type, some of which
are of great rarity.
The first is a gold coin or aureus.
Obverse. Uncertain. (See Vaillent.)
Reverse. BRITAN. Victory standing en a globe holding a
garland and a palm-branch, an elegant type repeated on a
coin of large brass, described below.
* A coin of large brass is described in the Museum Then-polum,
with the legend EXERC BRITAN. The emperor on a suggested or
estrade haranguing his soldiers.
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This coin, in all probability, commemorates the victory
over the revolted Brigantes, who made incursions upon their
neighbours, then leagued with the Romans. Urbicus, the Roman
general, defeated them with great slaughter, and raised a
turf wall still further to the northward, extending, as our
English antiquaries suppose, from the Tyne to Carlisle.
Victory was an important deity among the Greeks and
Romans; and she is accordingly figured on great numbers of
their coins. The representation of this goddess cannot be
mistaken; her attitude is generally graceful, and on this
coin is elegant. Sylla built a temple to Victory at Rome,
and instituted games in her honour; and we are told, that
Hiero, king of Sicily, made a present to the Romans of a
statue of Victory in solid gold. She had a fine statue in
the Capitol, of whiels the figure on the reverse of the coin
here described, may have been a copy. Rome is constantly
represented on the coins of the lower empire, seated in a
chair, and holding the hasta and a small figure of Victory,
whom the early Christians seemed disposed to reverence after
the gods of their fore-fathers had disappeared, since her
statin's were protected long after those of the other
deities had been demolished.
The next are of large brass; and of these there
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are several varieties. The reverse of the first is
similar to the gold coin above described.
I.
Obverse. ANTONINVSAVGPIVSPPTRPCOS
III.Antoninus Augustus Pius, Paler Patrice, Iri-bunitia
Potestate, Consul tertiuns. The bearded and laureated
head of Antoninus.
Reverse. IMPERATOR' II (Imperator iterum) : across the
field of the coin, BRITAN. An elegant winged Victory
standing on a globe, holding a garland in her right hand,
and a palm branch in her left. Plate II. No.2.
I never heard of a discovery of a coin with this type in
England. One of them at the sale of Mr. Edgar's cabinet, in
1815, brought the very high price of £5 7s, 6d; but it was
in remarkably fine preservation.
II.
Obverse ANTONINVSAVGPIVSPPTRP COS III.
Antoninus Augustus Pius, Paler Patrice, Tribunitia
Potestate, Consul tertiun. Laureated head of the emperor.
Reverse. BRITANNIA. A female figure seated on a rock, her
head bound with a fillet or diadem, and wearing trousers
under her robes. A standard in her hand, dod a spear in her
left, which rests on the edge of a shield placed by her side.
Plate 1 No. 7.
III.
Obverse. ANTONINVSAVGPIVSP ........ .. Antoninus
Augustus Pius, Pater Patrice, Tribunitia Potestate.
Laureated head of the emperor to the right.
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Reverse, IMPERATORII (Insperetor iterum)
and BRITAN across the field. A helmed female figure seated
on a rock holding a spear in her right hand; her left
reposing on a large ornamented shield by her side, her right
foot resting on a globe. From this it may be inferred that
the figure is intended for Rome. Plate III. No.2.
IV.
Obverse. ANTONINVSAVGPIVSPPTRPCOS
III.Antoninus Augustus Pius, Peter Patrice, Tribunitia
Potestate, Consul tertium. Laureated head of the emperor
to the right.
Reverse. BRITANNIA. A male figure seated on a
perpendicular rock, holding a standard in his right hand and
a javelin in his left; by his side a large oval shield with
a spike in the centre, resting on a helmet placed on the
ground. Plate II No.1.
V.
Obverse. ANTONINVSAVGPIVSPPTRP COS
III. Laureated head of Antoninus to the right.
Reverse. IMPERATOR 'II (Imperator iterum) :
in the exergue (BRI)TAN.A male figure with lao-rested head
seated on a rock; in his right band a standard, in his left
a spear; his left arm reposing on the edge of a large spiked
shield by his side.
VI.
Obverse. ANTONINVS 'AVG' PIVS ' P'P'TR'P' COS'III.
Laureated head to the right.
Reverse. IMPERATOR 'II (Imperator iterum) :
in the exergue, BRITAN. A female figure seated on a globe
surrounded by waves ; in her right hand a
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standard, in her left a javelin; her elbow resting upon
the edge of a large buckler by her side. Plate II. No. 5.
This is perhaps the most interesting coin of the
whole series.The type illustrates the oft-quoted line of
Virgil:-
'Et penitus toto divisos orbe Britannos.'
Or that of Claudian:-
' -et nostro deducta Britannia
mundo.'
VII.
Obverse. ANTONINVS AVG- PIVSPPTRP COS
III. Laureated head of the emperor to the right.
Reverse. IMPERATOR II (Imperafer iterum)
in the exergue, BRITANNIA. A male figure seated on a rock ;
in his right hand a standard, in his left a spear; his left
arm resting on the edge of a large ornamented oval shield,
supported by a helmet.
VIII.
Obrerse. ANTONINVSAVGPIVSPP TRP COS
III.Laureated head to the right.
obverse. BRITANNIA. A male figure seated on a rock
his right band holding a standard; his left arm reposing on
the edge of a shield placed by his side. Plate II.
No, 4.
This curious coin is somewhat puzzling. It bears on the
obverse the head and name of Anto-Ilinus; hut the seated
figure on the reverse is obviously a portrait of
Hadrian. It is difficult to find a reason for this,
unless we suppose that the
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die for the reverse was originally intended for a coin of
Hadrian during the life of that emperor, but for some cause
or other not used on his money. Or was it designed by the
senate as a tribute to the memory of Hadrian, who certainly
performed more in Britain than his successor? In either
case, it is a very curious type. That the figure on the
reverse is that of hadrian, no one acquainted with the
portraits of that emperor will deny.
There are also two coins in middle brass.
I.
Obverse. ANTONINVSAVGPIVSPPTRPCOS
III. Laureated head of the emperor to the right.
Reverse. IMPERATOR- II. Victory walking to the
left, holding in her right band a buckler inscribed BRITAN.Plate 1. No.6.
This type would seem to indicate, that a decisive victory
had been obtained by the Romans over the Brigantes. The
type of the next coin is a contrast to this. It was minted
in the fotsrth consulate of Antomnus, and probably denotes
that the campaign was then ended.
II.
Obverse. ANTONINVS PIVSAVGPPTRP COS
III. laureated *head of the emperor to the right.
*A coin in the cabinet of Mr Thomas has the brad
radiated; this is very uncommon, if not unique.
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Page 24
Reverse. BRITANNIA COS 1111.Britannia, Consul
quartum. A female figure seated on a rock in an attitude
of dejection before her, a large oval shield, and a
military standard. Plate I. No.8.
Of all the Roman coins relating to Britain, this is the
most frequently discovered in England. Some time since, one
of them was dug up in St. Saviour's churchyard, near London
Bridge. They are generally found in very ordinary
condition, and are scarcely ever met with in fine
preservation. It is somewhat singular that among the
numerous fine and interesting brass medallions of Antoninus
not one bears allusion to Britain.
COMMODUS.
A. D. 180 TO A. D. 192.
IN the reign of this emperor, the Caledonians again passed
the boundary wall, ravaged the country, and put to the sword
the Roman troops. The incursion was sudden and unexpected,
and the Roman general was taken by surprise. Commodus, on
receiving the news of this irruption, despatched Ulpius
Marcellus into Britain ; when the invaders were driven back
beyond the wall, and the Roman discipline, which had been
suffered to decay, was revived by Marcollus. We learn from
Herodian that Com-
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Page 25
modus was ambitious of the name of Britannicus, although he
did not visit the province; and this is shown by Isis coins,
upon which it frequently appears with other equally
inappropriate and un-merited titles *. During the reign of
Commodus, Pertinax, Clodius Albinus, and Julius Severus
were, at various times, governors of Britain.
Among the numerous beautiful medallions of this emperor,
are three with records of the war in Britain. They are of
large size, and two of them differ but slightly from each
other.
Obverse. MCOMMODVSANTONINVSAVG PIVS BRIT.Marcus Commodus Antoninus Augustus Pius, Britannicus.
laureated head of the emperor to the right.
Reverse. BRITTANIA P MTR P XIMP VII COS IIII
PP. Brittania, Pontifex Maximus, Tribunitia Potestate
decem, Imperator septimum, Consul quartuni, Pater Patrice.A male figure seated on a rock to the right, holding in
his right hand a militate standard, and in his left a
javelin; by his side a shield inscrihed SPQR
(Senates Populusque Romanus.)
This medallion, which is of great rarity, is in the
collection of the French king; it differs from that
*Lampridius indulges in some severe remarki upon the
assumption of the names Britannicus and Pius,
hy Commodus
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Page 26
in the cabinet of Mr. Thomas, by having the letters S P Q
R, instead of a spike, in the centre of the shield.
Another most interesting medallion in the posession of
Mr. Thomas is of great rarity.
Obverse. M COMMODVS ANTONINVS AVG PIVS BRIT.
Marcus Commodus Antoninus Augustus Pius Britannicus.
Reverse.PMTRPXIMPVII,the
remainder of the legend not being impressed, in consequence
of the module of the medallion being too small (2). Victory
seated on a heap of arms, inscribing on a shield VICT BRIT
(Victoria Britannica) in two lines: before her a
trophy.
Captain Smyth, in his recent work on the large brass
coins of the emperors, is of opinion that the coin of
Commodus, which follows, was minted before the campaign was
ended, because Victory holds a shield without inscription. If the conjecture be admitted, this medallion was struck at
a subsequent period, when the war had terminated; but the
IMP VII. is against it. Had the medallion been struck by a
decree of the conscript fathers, they would not
*That in the French cabinet is also without the numerals
VII.
(2) The continuation of this legend when entire, Is, COS
IIII P Por, COS IIIIP P V C P.
Page 27
Page 29
have dared to omit the record of another victory: on the
other hand, if the striking of these pieces had been at the
disposal of the tyrant, he who assumed the title of
Conqueror of a Thousand Gladiators, would not have neglected
to style himself Imperator for the eighth time.
A coin in large brass is by no means uncommon, although,
from its interest, it is not always to be obtained so easily
as scarcer coins of this emperor.
Obverse.M COMMODVS ANTON AVG PIVS BRIT. Marcus Commodus
Antoninus Augustus Pius, Britannicus. Laureated head of the
emperor to the right, with the hair, beard, and moustaches
dressed.
Reverse. PMTRPXIMP VIICOS IIIIPP: in the
exergue, VICT BRJT (Victoria Britannica) Victory seated on a
heap of shields to the right, holding in her right hand a
palm-branch, and supporting with her left arm a shield,
which she rests on her knees. Plate III No5.
SEVERUS
A. D. 193 TO AD. 211.
THE sojourn and death of Severus in Britain runder it
necessary that we should say something of his extraordinary
career, and of the motives which
Page 30
induced him to visit this country. The great military
fame of this emperor was tarnished, if not obscured, by his
ferocity and cruelty; but if we look only at his military
expeditions, his sagacity, promptitude, and judgment, we
shall find that circum-stances alone were wanting to render
him as celebrated as the most famous heroes of antiquity.
Possessed of the purple, which he had acquired by a series
of exploits which may justly be paralleled with those of
Cassar and Hannibal, Severus discovered that the cares of
government were as arduous as the toils of a campaign; and
he who had braved danger in many a hard-fought battle, found
the throne of a usurper beset with perils no less imminent. Naturally mistrustful, his jealousies and alarms were
increased by the discovery of a conspiracy against him by
his most tried and intimate friends; while the increasing
dissensions of his sons, Caracalla and Geta, added greatly
to his inquietude, and made sad havoc upon a constitution
already impaired by a life of hardship and the advances of
old age.
It has been well observed by Gibbon, that 'the ascent to
greatness, however steep and dangerous, may entertain an
active spirit with the consciousness and exercise of its own
powers; but the possession of a throne could never yet
afford a lasting satis-
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Page 31
faction to an ambitious mind *.'Severus was doomed to
experience this bitter truth: ' Omnia fui, et nihil
expedit!' was the dying exclamation of this daring and
successful despot, of whom scarcely one single act of mercy
or forbearance is recorded (2).
Bodily infirmity and mental anxiety had made inroads upon
the naturally robust and vigorous constitution of Severus,
so much so, indeed, that the gout had deprived him of the
use of his feet; but, even in this state, the news of the
revolt of the Britons was welcome to the crippled emperor:
his mind found relief in activity, and he had long been
desirous of weaning his sons from the luxury and effeminacy
of Roman life. Herodian says that the governor of Britain
wrote to Severus, informing him of the rebellion, and
entreating him either to send reinforcements, or come
immediately in person to reduce the revolted islanders. The
emperor, upon receipt of this intelligence, caused proclama-
* See Lord Bacon's essay, 'Of Empire,' where this
restlessness of amhitiuus princes is discussed with his
usual sagacity.
(2) Eutropius (lib. viii. c. 19), tells us that Severus
was attached to the arts of peace, and loved literature and
philosophy.This Ipsedixit of the historian is,
however, refuted by the public acts of Severus.Of his
paruality to literary men we have no record; and his
restless and ferocious disposition was utterly incompatible
with philosophical studies.
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Page 32
tion to be made of his intended
expedition, and having soon collected a formidable army, he
commenced the march with his usual rapidity, and soon
arrived in Britain. His unexpected appearance, with such a
force, astonished and alarmed the revolted Britons, who
immediately sent ambassadors to negotiate a peace and make
terms with the exasperated tyrant; but his wrath could only
be quenched in their blood. Nevertheless, he affected to
temporise; and having, by keeping the ambassadors in
suspense for some days, gained sufficient time to mature his
plans, he dismissed them with an assurance that he would
take ample vengeance. Herodian says he was ambitious of the
title of Britannicus, and of crowning his victories in other
countries by erecting trophies in Britain. This author
informs us that the campaign was a bard one, even for a
general like Severus: he also gives us some curious
particulars of our savage ancestors and of their island. The country, he observes, was in many places overflowed by
the sea; and the bogs and marshes presented great
difficulties to the operations of the Roman army. The
natives were scarcely acquainted with the use of clothes,
and were consequently prepared for swimming, or wading
through the mud and water, when desirous of retreating
before their enemies.* He speaks of their
*Dion Cassius says that their manners were most simple,
that they had neither walls nor towns, nor cultivated lands;
that they lived upon wild fruits, and by hunting; and that,
although the sea abounded with fish, they never eat any.
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Page 33
painted bodies, of which he says they were very vain, and
characterizes them as a warlike and sanguinary race. Their
arms, he says, were a narrow shield, a lance, and a bow.
Defensive armour they had none; they looked upon helmet and
coat of mail as impediments to their passage through the
swamps and morasses*.
Leaving Geta to the government of that portion of the
island which remained in the Roman interest, Severas and his
son Antoninus, or, as he is most commonly called, Caracalla,
advanced against the enemy, whom they overthrew on several
engagements; not, however, without suffering severely: but
ere the war was ended, the growing infirmities of Severus
compelled him to quit the field, leaving Caracalla to carry
on the contest. Retiring to York, and finding his end
approaching, the emperor had his dying moments embittered by
the detection of his son's design against his life; for it
is said that this appalling discovery reached the stern and
relentless soul of Severus, and that it hastened his death,
which took place in that city, in the year
*Herodian tells us that these morasses continually
emitted thick vapours, which obscured the face of heaven:
his informant must have visited the island at a foggy
season. As I write, there is nut a cloud in the sky.
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Page 34
of Rome 964 (A. D. 211).In his last moments he
recommended unity to his sons, and, with characteristic
ferocity, urged his generals to prosecute the war against
the Caledonians until they were exterminated*.
I now come to describe such of the coins of Severus as
have relation to the country in which he ended his eventful
life. I commence with one in large brass, which is
generally considered by numismatists to have reference to
some advantages obtained by the Romans over the Picts.
Obverse.L SEPTSEVERVSPlVSAVG. Lucius
Septimius Severus Pius Augustus. Laureated head of
the emperor to the right.
Reverse.P M TR P XVIIJCOS P PPontifex
maximus, Tribunitia Potestate decimum octavum, Consut,
Pater Patriae. The emperor in a military dress,
attended by two soldiers, each bearing a standard,
standing between his two sons: a captive on the ground.
This coin, by the record of tribunitian power, was struck
A. D. 210.The advantages which it boasts, are, however,
very doubtful, as the expedi-
* Dion Cassius says it was foretold that Severus would
not return alive from Britain; a prophecy which was
doubtless founded upon the knowledge of Caracalla's design
upon his life.
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Page 35
tion is said to have cost the Romans fifty thousand men.
The next is also of large brass, and appears to
commemorate an important victory.
Obverse. LSEPT SEVERVSPIVS AVG. Lucius
Septimius Severus Pius Augustus. The
laureated and bearded head of Severus, to the right. All
his coins represent him with a beard, which be wore,
says Dio, out of respect to the memory of Aurelius and
Pertinax.
Reverse. VICTORIAEBRITTANICAE.Two winged
Victories attaching a circular buckler to a palm tree,
at the foot of which two captives are seated. Plate
III. No.7.
Some numismatists think that a double victory is implied
by the two figures holding the shield; but they may possibly
be intended to indicate that the glory was shared between
Severus and his son. The same type is repeated on another
coin of Severus, but it has the legend VICTBRITPMTRP XIX COS III P P
The middle or second brass coins of Severus with allusion
to Britain are the following
I.
Obverse. SEVERVS PIVSAVGBRlTSeverus
Pius Augustus Britannicus. Laureated head of the
emperor to the right.
Reverse. VICTORIAE BRITTANICAE. Victory stand-
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Page 36
ing between two captives seated on the ground, holding
with both hands a standard transversely. Plate IV. No.1.
II.
Obverse. SEVERVSPIVS AVGBRIT.Severus
Pius Augustus Britannicas. Laureated head of the
emperor to the right.
Reverse. VICTBRITP MTR PXIX. COS III
P PVictoriae' Britannicae, Pontifex Maximus,
Tribunitia Potestate decimum nonum, Consul tertium,
Pater Patriae. A similar type to that on the reverse
of the preceding coin. Plate IV. No.2
The following types occur in gold and silver -
I.
Obverse. SEVFRVS PIVSAVG BRIT Laureated
head of Severus to the right.
Reverse. VICTORIAEBRIT.Victoriae
Britannicae. Victory standing to the left, holding
in her right hand a garland, and in her left a
palm-branch. Plate III. No.6.
II.
Obverse. SEVERVS- PIVS AVG- BRIT. Laureated
head of Severus to the right.
Reverse VICTORIAEBRIT.Victory holding a
captive.
The next are found only in silver:-
I.
Obverse. SFVERVSPIVS - AVGBRIT. Laureated
head to the right.
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Page 37
Reverse. VICTORIAE- BRIT. Victory attaching a
buckler to the trunk of a tree.
II.
Obverse. SEVERVSPIVSAVGBRIT. Laureated head to the right.
Reverse.VICTORIAE BRIT. Victory seated on a
shield, holding in her right hand another shield,
resting on her knees, and in her left a palm-branch.
Plate IlL No.4.
CARACALLA.
[AD. l98 To AD. 217.]
CARACALLA, upon the death of his father, concluded
a disadvantageous and inglorious peace with the Caledonians,
and restored to them many of their forts. He soon quitted
the island, and commenced a series of cruelties worthy of
the son of Severus. He put to death all the physicians who
had refused to attempt the life of his father, and included
in the horrible proscription those who had been charged with
his own and his brother's education, because they had dared
to propose a reconciliation between them. The tried
ministers of his father shared the same fate; and in the
following year, the discord of the brothers ended in the
death of Geta, who was slain by Caracalla in the arms of his
mother. An-
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Page 38
other massacre followed of the friends of Geta, and even
the buffoons and gladiators who had contributed to the
amusement of that unfortunate prince were involved in the
common fate*.The career of Caracalla, the most active, if
not the most cruel of all the Roman tyrants, was marked by
rapine, violence, and slaughter; and be finally fell by the
hand of Macnuns, in the year of Rome 970 (A. D. 217).
We have several coins of this prince relating to Britain.
I commence with the large brass.
I.
Obverse. MAVREL ANTONINVS PIVS AVG.
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Pius Augustus. Lam-reated
head of Caracalla to the right.
Reverse. VICT BRIT TRP XIIIICOSIII.
Victoriae Britannicae, Tribunitia Potestate decimum
quarturn, Consul tertium. Victory, her left foot on
a helmet, erecting a trophy, near which stands a
captive another captive hqund, and seated on the
ground. Plate IV. No.3.
Those who are familiar with Roman coins will recollect
the peculiar shape of the German shield which appears
on the coins of Domitianus. Two shields of the same shape
are represented in the trophy on this coin; but it is
difficult to determine if they were copied from actual
specimens. Hero-
*Herodianus, Iib. iv, c 11.
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Page 39
dian says, the Britons carried a narrow shield (scutus
augustus), and these ate certainly of that shape.
II.
Obverse. M AVREL ANTONINVS PIVS AVG. Laureated
head of Caracafla to the right.
Reverse. VICTORIAEBRITANNICAE. A type
similar to that on the preceding coin. Plate IV.
No.4.
III.
Obverse. M- AVREL
ANTONINVS PIVS AVG. Laureated head of Caracalla to
the right.
Reverse. VICTORIAE' BRITANNICAE.Two Victories attaching a buckler to a palm tree, at the
foot of which two captives are seated.
The same type occurs on a coin of Severus (see page 33).
The middle brass coins of Caracalla with allusions to
Britain are the following
I
Obverse. ANTONINVS' PIVS 'AVG- BRIT.Laureated head of Caracalla to the right.
Reverse. VICT- BRIT - TR- P- Xliii COS-Ill.
Victoria' Britannica', Tribunitia Potestote decirnurn
qoar-turn, Consul tertiurn. Victory inscribing a
buckler attached to a palm-tree her left foot resting on
a helmet. Plate V. No.1.
II.
Obverse. ANTONINVS PIVSAVGBRIT.Laurcated
head of Caracaila to the right.
---------------------------------------------------
Reverse.
VICTORIAE BRITTANICAE.A similar type to that of the
preceding coin. Plate V. No.2.
A middle brass coin of Caracalla, in the cabinet of Mr.
Huxtable, has the radiated head of Caracalla, with
the legend ANTONINVSPIUSAVGThe reverse is
the same as the above.
His gold coins are:-
I
Obverse. ANTONINVSPIVS AVG BRIT. Head of
Caracalla laureated.
Reverse. VICTORIAF' BRIT.Victory marching,
bearing a trophy in one hand, and holding a captive
with the other.
II.
Obverse.ANTONINVS PJVS AVG BRIT.Head of
Caracalla laureated.
Reverse.VICTORIAE BRIT. Victory seated on a
heap of arms.
His silver coins
I.
Reverse. VJCTORIAE - BRIT. Victoriae
Britannicae. Victory running to the right, holding a
standard transversely with both hands. Plate IV.
No.6.
II.
Obverse.ANTONINVS - PIVS - AVG' BRIT.Laureated head of Caracalla.
---------------------------------------------------
Page 41
Reverse.VICTORIAE' BRIT.Victory marching
with garland and palm-branch.
GETA.
[A.D. 209, TO A. D. 212.]
THE fate of this unfortunate prince has been mentioned in
the foregoing section. Although, as we are informed, he did
not take a personal share in the expedition against the
Caledonians, the senate appear to have considered him
entitled to the surname of Britannicus, and struck coins in
his honour. Of these there are several varieties. The large
brass are :-
Obverse. IMP CAESPSEPTGETA PIVS AVG.
imperator Caesar Publius Septimius Geta Pius Augustus.
Laureated head of Geta to the right.
Reverse. VICTORIAEBRITTANNICAE. Victory
seated on a heap of arms, inscribing a shield, which she
rests on her knees. Plate IV. No.5.
II.
Obverse. IMP CAES SEPTGETAPIVS AVG. Laureated head of Geta.
Reverse. VICTORIAEBRITTANNICAE. Two Victories
suspending a circular buckler from the trunk of a
palm-tree, at the foot of which two captives are seated.
A similar type occurs without the two captives.
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Page 42
III.
Obverse. P
SEPTIMIVS
GETA PIVS AVG BRIT. Publius Septimius Geta Pius Augustus
Britannicus. Laureated head of Geta.
Reverse.
VICTORIAR BRJTTANNICAE. Victory, her left foot placed on a
helmet, erecting a trophy, at the foot of which is a captive
standing, and another seated on the ground; each has his
hands tied behind his back.
IV.
Obverse.
PSEPTIMIVS GETA PIVS AVG BRIT. Laureated head of Geta.
Reverse.
VICTORIAEBRITTANNICAE. Victory erecting a trophy, at the
foot of which a captive is seated.
A
similar type occurs with the legend VICT BRIT P M TR P
II.COS II.
V.
Obverse.
P
SEPTIMIVSGETA PIVS AVG BRIT. Laureated head of Geta.
Reverse.
VICT BRIT
TR P III COS II. Victoriae Brittannicae,
Tribunitia Potestate tertium, Consul iterum. A type
similar to No.1.
This
coin was struck in the year that Severus died, and probably
records the last successful encounter with the Britons of
the north.
Other
coins of Geta bear the legends VICTORIAE AVGVSTORVMVICTORIAEAETERNAEAVGG (Augustorum), which may
probably have allusion
Coins of the Romans Relating to Britain, Plates I - VI
Coins of the Romans Relating to Britain By John Y. Akerman.
Part 2
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