Thomas Verstaen Health of the State Episode VII — Nero and Salus: Health of the State The Nero SALVS denarius with Salus seated holding a patera — no serpent, no altar — reflects a later phase. The obverse shows a heavier Nero, more fle... 12 Feb 2026
Thomas Verstaen From Dominance to Erasure Episode VI — Nero and Agrippina: From Dominance to Erasure Early under Nero, we find confronted busts: AGRIPPINA MAT NERONIS CAES. She appears equal — even dominant — in visual hierarchy. Later issues... 12 Feb 2026
Thomas Verstaen Power Rebalanced Episode V — Claudius and Agrippina Minor: Power Rebalanced Claudius’ denarius featuring Agrippina Minor marks a striking development. The obverse bears Claudius’ full titulature: TI CLAVD CAESAR AVG G... 12 Feb 2026
Thomas Verstaen Filial Legitimacy Episode IV Caligula - Filial Legitimacy Caligula’s coinage returns to lineage — but this time maternal. On denarii honoring Agrippina the Elder, the obverse often presents Caligula’s own portrait and ... 12 Feb 2026
Thomas Verstaen The Quiet Continuity Episode III — Tiberius: The Quiet Continuity Tiberius’ most famous denarius — often called the “Tribute Penny” — presents an image of restraint. The obverse bears his laureate portrait with the legend... 12 Feb 2026
Thomas Verstaen Succession Secured Episode II — Augustus: Succession Secured With Augustus, the message changes from ancestry to stability. The denarius featuring Gaius and Lucius Caesar is one of the clearest dynastic statements in Ro... 12 Feb 2026
Thomas Verstaen The Venus and Aeneas denarius Episode I — Julius Caesar: Divine Ancestry in Silver The series begins not with an emperor, but with a dictator who reshaped Rome. The Venus and Aeneas denarius, struck during the Civil War (c. 47–46 ... 12 Feb 2026
