THE COIN COLLECTOR - World eBook Library

THE COLLECTOR SERIES
reigns, such as those of Hadrian and Antoninus Pius,
present us with large bronze medallions and smaller
pieces of silver rich in archaeological interest, and in
testimony to the respect still cherished for the tradi-
tions of the mythical epoch or for the Greek cults which
the joint influence of trade and conquest had made
familiar to the Romans. This fine and valuable series
in the two metals exists of the emperors from Augustus
to the Antonines, but specimens are rare. The first
brass struck at Alexandria with various mythological
reverses, chiefly of local or at least Asiatic origin, under
some of the later Caesars, may be classed under the
same head ; these are not uncommon, except in high
preservation.
As in the Consular coinage, there are many exceptions
to the prevailing rule in regard to the scarcity of the
imperial money in the respective metals. The bulk of
it is remarkably common, especially in second and third
brass ; but the first brass of many reigns, and of those
out of the direct line of succession, such as Marciana
and Matidia, is difficult to procure ; and patination is
imperative. The gold and silver of the earlier Caesars
is mostly plentiful, but the later and briefer reigns offer
frequent difficulties to the collector who aims at being-
complete. The work alike in both metals is very
unequal, and even on the same coin the obverse is
superior to the reverse, the artist who engraved the por-
trait proving less successful in the symbol or allegory
on the other side. As we have noted under Greece,
the objects on the reverse often doubtless represent
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