Premium Collector's Guide
Roman Denarius: The Definitive Collector's Guide
Master the art of denarius collection with advanced authentication techniques, market analysis, and comprehensive emperor studies
500
Years of Circulation
34
Featured Emperors
150+
Legend Types
25
Mint Locations
Complete Emperor Legends Database
Advanced study of imperial titulature and legend variations across all periods of denarius production
Legend Decoder
Interactive tool to decode complex imperial legends
Period Filter
Augustus
27 BC - 14 AD
Julio-Claudian
Common Legends & Titles
CAESAR AVGVSTVS
Caesar Augustus, ruler of Rome
Title Analysis:
- CAESAR: Family name, becomes imperial title
- AVGVSTVS: Revered One (new imperial title)
- Establishes imperial titulature pattern
- Portrait evolves from youthful to mature
Notable Issues:
- Actian Series (28-27 BC)
- Spanish Mint Issues
- Lugdunum Mint series
Tiberius
14-37 AD
Julio-Claudian
Common Legends & Titles
TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS
Tiberius Caesar, son of the divine Augustus, emperor
Title Analysis:
- TI CAESAR: Tiberius Caesar
- DIVI AVG F: Son of Divine Augustus
- Emphasis on Augustan lineage
- Conservative coinage policy
Notable Issues:
- "Tribute Penny" (Biblical reference)
- Livia as Pax reverse types
- Limited portrait variety
Caligula
37-41 AD
Julio-Claudian
Common Legends & Titles
C CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR P
Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, chief priest, holder of tribunician power
Title Analysis:
- C CAESAR: Gaius Caesar
- GERM: Germanicus (inherited title)
- Family emphasis in early reign
- Short reign = scarce coinage
Notable Issues:
- Family portrait series
- Very rare denarii
- Sestertii more common than denarii
Claudius
41-54 AD
Julio-Claudian
Common Legends & Titles
TI CLAVD CAESAR AVG P M TR P VI IMP XI
Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus, chief priest, tribunician power, 11th acclamation as Imperator
Notable Issues:
- British victory types
- Family portrait issues
- Deified Augustus reverses
Nero
54-68 AD
Julio-Claudian
Common Legends & Titles
NERO CAESAR AVG IMP
Nero Caesar Augustus, commander of the armies
Notable Issues:
- Early "Agrippina" beard issues
- Rome rebuilt series
- Armenian victory commemorations
Complete Emperor Reference Table
| Emperor | Reign | Common Legend | Rarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Augustus | 27 BC - 14 AD | CAESAR AVGVSTVS | Common |
| Tiberius | 14-37 AD | TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS | Common |
| Caligula | 37-41 AD | C CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR P | Rare |
Advanced Denarius Typology
Republican Series
211-27 BC
Key Characteristics:
- Dioscuri reverse types
- Moneyer names and symbols
- Victory chariot types
- Family propaganda issues
Imperial Portrait Series
27 BC - 284 AD
Key Characteristics:
- Imperial portrait obverse
- Propaganda reverse types
- Dynastic issues
- Victory commemorations
Military Issues
All Periods
Key Characteristics:
- Legionary symbols
- Victory types
- Military mint marks
- Donative issues
Advanced Authentication Techniques
Metallurgical Analysis
Silver Content Testing
- XRF (X-ray Fluorescence) analysis
- Specific gravity measurements
- Surface composition mapping
Die Analysis
Die Study Parameters
- Obverse/reverse die linkage
- Die wear progression
- Multiple striking analysis
Style Analysis
Portrait Style Evolution
- Hair style chronology
- Portrait realism development
- Imperial iconography changes
Advanced Market Analysis
+8.2%
Annual Appreciation
€150M+
Annual Market Volume
45%
US Collector Base
Investment Grade Categories
Blue Chip Emperors
Augustus
Trajan
Hadrian
+12% annual
Growth Potential
Vespasian
Domitian
Antoninus Pius
+15% annual
Specialist Collecting
Republican Types
Provincial Issues
Military Coinage
+20% annual
Professional Conservation Guide
Storage Best Practices
- Acid-free archival holders
- Climate-controlled environment
- UV-protected display
- Proper handling procedures
Cleaning Ethics
- Minimal intervention principle
- Professional conservation only
- Documentation of any treatment
- Avoidance of abrasive methods
Long-term Preservation
- Regular condition monitoring
- Insurance and appraisal
- Professional photography
- Collection inventory management