14 Genuine Roman Silver Coins,Deluxe Box Set,1600 Years Old.Exceptional quality coins.Custom HardWood Case Start Price USD 1,795.00 Current Price USD 1,795.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Thursday, October 23, 2008 End Time Saturday, November 22, 2008 Location Diamondhead, Mississippi See more about '14 Genuine Roman Silver Coins,Deluxe Box Set,1600 Years' Description THE ROMAN EMPIRE 14 SILVER COIN COLLECTION Denarius ofSeptimius Severus A SUPERB COLLECTION OF 14 GENUINE, SILVER ROMAN COINS. EACH COIN BEARS THE PORTRAIT OF A DIFFERENT EMPEROR FROM THE 1ST, 2ND OR 3RD CENTURIES AD. INDIVIDUAL COINS ARE PROTECTED IN AN ARCHIVAL CAPSULE AND BEAUTIFULLY DISPLAYED IN A DELUXE, CUSTOM-MADE HARDWOOD CASE. THE CASE FEATURES A RICH, FOREST-GREEN VELOUR INTERIOR AND A PLAQUE INSCRIBED WITH A LIST OF THE 14 EMPERORS. These genuine ancient Roman silver coins from the first three Centuries AD offer a view of the roots of modern western civilization evident in the Roman Empire. Coins were made by hand by inserting a hot metal blank between two dies and striking the upper die with a heavy hammer. The resulting coins were often not perfectly round, and often imperfectly centered. The obverse side of each coin shows the portrait of the emperor at the time the coins were minted. The reverse sides show images depicting history, military themes and most frequently, mythology. Numerous pagan gods and goddesses dominated Roman life, which explains the popularity of these themes. The earlier coins in this collection are known as denarii. The denarius, first minted circa 211 BC, was the principle currency, serving both the Roman Republic and Imperial Rome for over 400 years. The denarius was modeled after an earlier coin design, the very popular Greek silver drachm, which first appeared about 300 years earlier. The denarius design changed little over the centuries until Rome's growing financial woes caused the denarius to be replaced by the double-denarius, or antoninianus. After it was first introduced circa 211 AD, this new, larger coin was made of lower grade silver, and was characterized by the portrait of the emperor wearing a "radiate" crown instead of the usual laurel wreath. Gradually over the next four decades, inflation and the shortage of silver caused a steady decline in the silver content of the the antoninianus, and as a result, the older, higher quality silver denarii disappeared from circulation. By late in the reign of Gallienus in the middle of the third century, all that was left of the antoninianus was a tiny bronze coin with a thin silver wash. There were a few later efforts to revive the "ant" however, Roman silver coins never recovered prominence, reflecting the empire's declining power and wealth. TYPICAL ASSEMBLAGE OF COINS - LIST MAY VARY Actual box size 12 ½"x 6"x 2 1. VESPASIAN 69-79 AD 8. SEVERUS ALEXANDER 222-235 AD 2. TRAJAN 98-117 AD 9. GORDIAN III 238-244 AD 3. FAUSTINA JR. 161-175 AD 10. PHILIP I 244-249 AD 4. SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS 193-211 AD 11. TRAJAN DECIUS 249-251 AD 5. JULIA DOMNA 193-211 AD 12. VALERIAN I 253-260 AD 6. CARACALLA 198-217 AD 13. GALLIENUS 253-268 AD 7. ELAGABALUS 218-222 AD 14. POSTUMUS 259-268 AD Actual box size 10 6/8 X 5 5/8 X 1 3/8 The Biblical Holy Land: Judea 12 Coin Collection from the time of Jesus ---> You may return anything you get from me for a complete refund including shipping both ways except on international orders. I do not ship to Italy.  On Oct-26-08 at 16:47:20 PDT, seller added the following information:International buyers please note that customs and import fees are your responsiblity and I will not falsify documents to avoid them. Also,there may be customs delays up to 6 weeks depending on the country. Place a Bid!