Julius Caesar

Gaius Julius Caesar (Roman military and political leader who played a critical role in the transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire) was the first to print his own bust on a Roman minted coin:

BTW. The Roman currency during most of the Roman Republic and the western half of the Roman Empire consisted of coins including the aureus (gold), the denarius (silver), the sestertius (bronze), the dupondius (bronze), and the as (copper). These were used from the middle of the third century BC until the middle of the third century A.D.

Posted by serge, March 17, 2010. Post has 0 comments.
coin Julius Caesar Rome

Coins or tokens for brothels

During archeological research in Pompeii a set of Roman tokens – spintria – was found, usually depicting sexual acts or symbols:

Spintriae from Pompeii

There were usually struck from brass or bronze, and were little smaller than a U.S. quarter. Spintriae may have been used to pay prostitute, who at times spoke a different language. While this is subject to argument, the numbers on them line up with known prices for Roman prostitutes. Some theorize them gaming tokens, and they may have been produced for only a short period, probably in the 1st century A.D.

Spintriae are a popular target of collecting and depending on the condition have a high auction price. Because of its relevance to the numismatic market, beware of huge modern forgery.

See more spintriae in details.

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Posted by serge, February 10, 2010. Post has 2 comments.
Roman Empire token

1792 Disme

PCGS Specimen-65 Brown. This 1792 Copper Disme: The Story of the Finest Known Specimen can be described easily using following auction results:

Ex Col. James W. Ellsworth Collection (Wayte Raymond, 1923) - Garrett IV (Bowers & Ruddy, 3/1981), lot 2352, where it was graded About Uncirculated and realized $54,000 - Marvin Brauder - Alhambra Coin Center; sold in 1998 - Hanks & Associates - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "E-Fair Signature Sale"; October 8, 1999, Lot 6187, unsold (as of November 23, 1999, this coin was being offered by Hanks & Associates of El Paso, Texas for $575,000; then, in the May 22, 2000 issue of Coin World, the asking price was raised to $700,000) - "a group of private investors" - Rare Coin Wholesalers of California - Benchmark Ventures, L.P. with an asking price of $1.2 million.

Posted by serge, November 19, 2009. Post has 0 comments.
auction coins United States

Wedding of Charles & Diana coins

One of the most important events of the 20th century was Prince Charles and Diana Frensis Spencer wedding. It has been connected with the big expectations. Prince Charles, the applicant number one on a royal throne, has received chance to get successors that guaranteed continuation of dynasty Winsors. Diana Frensis Spenser, the daughter of the viscount and viscountess Oltorp became the bride of the prince. Wedding of Prince Charles and Diana Spenser has managed to the British treasury in 600 thousand pounds sterling Also it became the most expensive in the British history. In honour of wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spenser London mint made a memorable coin with face value one crone.

England 1 crone 1981. Princess Diana and Prince Charles.

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Posted by serge, November 9, 2009. Post has 0 comments.
Charles coin Diana United Kingdom wedding