This is a coin of the depraved emperor, Caligula. The name Caligula is a nickname that means “little boot” in Latin. When he was a little boy in the the camp of his father Germanicus’ army, they would dress him up in a miniature soldier’s costume with little boots. It’s hard to sort out fact from fiction concerning him but it seems pretty unanimous from the ancient writers that he was a monster. He ruled for only four years and then was assassinated by the Praetorian Guard.
For more info, check out the Wikipedia entry on him. Link
A bunch of short ancient history quizzes can be found here.
Just in from Jerusalem, a really nice Vrbs Roma with a great desert patina. Click on the thumbnail at right for a larger image and attribution.
This is the least oldest coin in my collection. It is still 500 plus years old though. I had one before but I gave it away to a buddy who collects American coins.
Ferdinand and Isabella were the king and queen of Spain in the late 1400s through the early 1500s. They financed Christopher Columbus’ voyage and conquered the last Muslim kingdom of Spain, Granada.
Click on the thumbnail at right fo a larger image and attribution.
Just added to the gallery. The Coriosolites were a tribe that lived around modern day Brittany. They were defeated by Julius Caesar during the Gallic war. Click on the thumbnail at right for a larger image and attribution.
I just got this one in yesterday. It is the oldest Roman coin I presently own, dating from the third century BC. It was minted around the time of Cannae. Click on the thumbnail at right for a larger image and attribution.
I’m not sure what to think of this but it is a pretty interesting article.
link
