It seems impossible to condense the history of Ancient Roman Imperial Coins into just a few passages. However important events should be highlighted to get a glimpse into the marvelous history of these precious coins.

Coins such as aureus, denarius, sestertius, and dupondius were utilized during the middle of the third century BC until the middle of the third century A.D. These coins are still used in territories influenced by Greek, though they already had their respective base coinage. Antoninianus or radiate is the replacement of the double denarius during the third century though it was then replaced by monetary reform of Diocletian which made denominations such as the argenteus and the follis. Roman coinage consisted mainly of the gold solidus and small bronze denominations after the reform.

Julius Caesar issued coins bearing his own portrait that changed the course of coins. Ancient Roman Coins adorned with the face of Caesar are the first Roman coinage to portray the portrait of a living individual in the coin. Imperators continued this tradition after the assassination of Caesar, though the traditional deities and personifications are still mounted on the coins. The emperor represented the state and its policies, thus coins adorned by their portraits became popular. Moneysayers determined the images and designed of the coins.

The portrait of the emperor is the emphasis of the imagery during the empire. These coins exhibit emperors that possess with characteristics normally seen in divinities, or focusing the special correspondence with a certain deity. Caesar released a variety of types that featured images of either Venus or Aeneas in an endeavor to be associated with divine ancestors. Commudos went to the extreme when he released coins exhibiting his bust clad in a lion-skin that resembled Hercules.

Portraits of an emperor was the most prosaic design found on the obverse of coins, though images of heirs, predecessors, and other family members, such as empresses, are also exhibited in the coins. Romans ascribe value to the images presented in the coins. Political messages were placed in the imagery and propaganda was attached to the designs of the coins during the civil war. This imperial iconography lasted till the end of the reign of Augustus.

Ancient Roman coins had intrinsic value compared to modern coins. This coin cost greater than its precious metal content, which set it apart among bullions. For instance the cost of denarius ranges from 1.6 to 2.85 times its metal content. This coin, double the size and weight of a silver dime, is the staple in the Roman economy.

Roman Provincial or Greek Imperial is a less recognized and studied parallel series among Roman of coins. These coins were minted in the Roman Empire by civic authorities rather than by Imperial authorities and their minting traditions in hundreds of once-independent municipalities are conveyed in these ancient Roman Provincial coins. They possess the literal imprint of their Greek heritages and influences that came only with Roman rule and were a continuation of the original currency system that was around prior to the arrival or conquest by the Romans.

The Provincial Mints

Provincial mints issued the majority of the coins made of bronze although some ancient Roman Provincial coins were also minted in silver denominations. Rome controlled the issue of silver coinage and in regions of the Eastern Empire silver coins were more popular.

This power allows the Roman government to organize and influence events in the provinces. The mint-right could be given and removed by the Empire to exert political pressure on cities and provinces. Imperial portraits were also sometimes omitted for those places regarded with certain favor. Newly established colonies were usually only given an authority to mint bronze coins.

During the Roman Imperial Era there were an estimated 600 provincial mints. Mints were concentrated in the Eastern part of the Empire, though they were dispersed throughout the Roman Empire. Provincial cities such as Corinth or Antioch had mints within their perimeter. There were mints that solely issued the ancient Roman coins were only used for that city, while some mints issued coins for a larger province.

Coin Inscriptions

A Greek Language of the inscription determines if a coin is an Ancient Roman Provincial coin. Small depressions or dimples are found in the middle of the obverse and reverse side of these coins. The depressions are a sign of a poorly understood process of preparing the blanks for striking. Perhaps both trimming off flashings from the edges, and smoothing the surfaces.

Mints in places like Egypt and the Middle East cast the blanks in a way that makes them larger on one the reverse, than the obverse. A conical section or trapezoidal cross-section is distinguishably seen in these coins.

These are coins are much more different in style and larger or smaller than the standard Imperial denominations. Ancient Roman Provincial coins are devoid of the "S C" sign in their reverse side and the GreekObulos and Chalkous are the most notable denominations of bronze coins.

Some believed that particular ancient Roman Provincial coins were designed according to Roman denominations namely, AE and sestertius. These ancient Roman coins prove to be a rare collector’s item that conveys the rich history and culture of the past.

Aside from its purchasing power ancient Roman Republic coins were also utilized to convey a meaning or relate an idea through their designs or inscriptions. The entire Roman state was the first image that appeared on the coins during the Roman Republic in 150-100 BC. Tresviri monetales or often regarded as the 'trio of money men', decided what images to feature on the coins. Julius Caesar increased the number of tresviri monetales from three to four during the end of the Republic. However the position of these men only lasted until the middle of the third century AD.

Earliest Denarious

The earliest Roman republic denarius was adorned with the bust of Roma on the obverse, and a deity driving a biga or quadriga on the reverse. These coins occasionally exhibited control marks such as small symbols, or monograms that were used to indicate who was responsible for a certain coin. Abbreviated forms of the moneyer’s name replaced the monograms and other symbols. Coins of Sextus Pompeius Fostulus portray images that display the family history of moneyers. The number of references multiplied and the depictions became the focus of the current interest.

Self-promoting Imagery

In the Roman Republic the Self-promoting imagery on coins was part of the fierce competition amongst the ruling class. The degree of competition amongst the upper class has been exhibited by Lex Gabinia, which introduced secret ballots in elections in order to lessen electoral corruption. The messages were designed for and by the elite and weren’t meant to influence the masses.

Valerius Flaccus Denarius

The Roman Republic Denarius released by L. Valerius Flaccus, 108 - 107 B.C., weighs 3.878g with a maximum diameter of 20.5mm. The obverse showed an image of a winged and draped bust of Victory, while the reverse displays Mars walking left holding a spear in right and a trophy in left.

Head of Roma

With the head of Roma facing right in a winged helmet in its obverse side, the Roman Republic, M. Porcius Laeca, 125 B.C. only weighed about 3.768g and had a maximum diameter of 18.3mm. Its reverse shows Libertas, holding rod and pileus, in galloping quadriga right.

This Roman Republic coin, L. Caecilius Metellus, 128 B.C., shows the head of Roma facing right in winged helmet, while Pax or Juno is in a biga facing right and an elephant head with bell at the neck below on the reverse. This coin weighs .788g, with a maximum diameter of 18.9mm.

7 and 8 Denarius

This ancient Roman Republic 7 and 8 denarius, Mn. Fonteius, 108 - 107 B.C., displays conjoined and laureate heads of Dioscuri on the obverse while the reverse has an image of a galley under oar on the obverse type. This coin weighs 3.880g, with a maximum diameter of 19.9mm.

There are countless designs of ancient Roman Republic coins available in the market today. These ancient Roman coins are a great investment, since its prices would surely soar in the next generation. Owning these coins is also a good way to treasure the history of the past civilization.