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 Replies: 21 / Views: 2,232 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
I neglected to mention that the reason so many collectors use this strategy, is because of a book written by Suetonius (under Trajan) called The Lives of the Caesars. These are biographies of the first 12 Caesars and the book is just referred to as The Twelve Caesars. Suetonius's principal contribution in this piece of work was his relatively high degree of objectively. It's a written history as seen through the eyes of someone who was there for at least part of the time and close enough for the rest. (Suetonius was born A.D. 70). I have a copy of this book and I believe it is readily available. I highly recommend it.
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
It's available on Google Books as a free download.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2596 Posts |
Thats a good goal, my favorites are Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius and I like most of the later empire coins. I am currently working on zoo animals and chi-rho coins.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Quote:
...because of a book written by Suetonius (under Trajan) called The Lives of the Caesars. I've read that book, specifically on the chapter devoted to Caligula--pretty eye-opening.  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
842 Posts |
Quote:
I am also sorry I inspired you to this collection. It IS an awesome collection, but many of the coins will set you back a lot more than this coin. Don't worry. It is money well spent. I am starting to realize that when I started collecting ancients not long ago that I should have saved my money and bought nice examples of a few coins, rather than large amounts of cheaper, lesser grade coins that I had to clean myself. While cleaning coins is fun, it is very tough and I always feel terrible if I happen to damage one. I think I will shift my collecting technique and go after single coins or small lots (2-3 coins) that are high grade. It will be more expensive, but I think it will pay off in the end. However, I will still buy uncleaned lots every once-in-a-while just for fun.  You never know what you may find! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
Nice coin! My first (and only) denarius is a Vespasian as well. Quote:
I think I will shift my collecting technique and go after single coins
or small lots (2-3 coins) that are high grade. I follow this same strategy, and it has worked great for me. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
Just curious: when collecting the Twelve Caesar denarii, do coins of them as Caesar (or struck under another emperor) count, or does it have to be when they are officially emperor?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Quote:
do coins of them as Caesar (or struck under another emperor) count, or does it have to be when they are officially emperor? That was a later practice. In the first century the only person with the title "Caesar" was the emperor himself. Of course, there were the actual family and adopted names such as Nero and Drusus Caesars. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
What about if it was struck under another emperor, like a Domitian struck under Titus for example? Would that coin count towards a Twelve Caesar set?
Edited by VisigothKing
01/11/2012 11:09 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
I would think so, but that is the collector's call. Personally, I think and portrait coin (denarius if that is what is being collected) would qualify. You mention Domitian, but you could say the same for Titus coins struck while Vespasian was Caesar.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
Interesting. Thanks jw. I ask because I think I have unofficially started this set with my Vespasian (I say unofficially because I have not committed myself to the denarii of the Twelve Caesars yet), and I'd like to know this info if I actually decide to start this set.
Edited by VisigothKing
01/11/2012 11:21 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
I would think one could collect the 12 Caesars in gold or bronze as well. Gold is out of my reach, but perhaps I could start on a bronze collection. These can get expensive as well.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
A mixed metal set would be interesting also IMO. Gold is out of my reach as well, so mine would be a bronze-silver set and I would have 1/4 of them already (Augustus, Claudius, and Vespasian).
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Many of the bronzes would have to be minted in the provinces I believe. Ones like JC, Otho and Vitellius look like the only bronze portrait coins come out places such as Spain.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
842 Posts |
If I were to take the approach of using both bronze and silver, I would also be 1/4 the way there. However, my plan (as of now) is to go with Denarii. I don't plan on doing it quickly...it may take me just as long or longer than it did for JW. I guess that I could also do a subset collection of bronze coins of the 12. It would be kinda cool to have a silver AND bronze set. When I win the lottery I will do the Aurii, too.  |
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Replies: 21 / Views: 2,232 |
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Posted 01/10/2012 2:23 pm
