The Ancient Coins

The Hayes Collection of ancient coins consists of 50 issues spanning 400 years of history. All the coins are from the Roman imperial period, the earliest dating to AD 119-21, minted during the reign of the emperor Hadrian (no. 1). The latest dates to the reign of the emperor Justinian, AD 538 (no. 20). Together the collection represents a substantial portion of the Museum's later Roman coins and is an important teaching resource.

Coins of over 20 rulers of the later Roman empire are represented in the collection, including:

  • A sestertius of Commodus (no. 3) featuring the goddess Libertas (freedom) on the reverse. The type is ironic, as Commodus was assassinated in the same year for his excesses and tyranny.
  • A potin tetradrachm of Diocletian (no. 11) who instituted the tetrarchy system, which divided the empire into east and west, each ruled by an Augustus (emperor) and Caesar (junior emperor).
  • A commemorative follis of Constantine I (no. 15) featuring Roma, Romulus, and Remus, issued in AD 330-31. This coin confirms Rome's special place at the heart of the empire, despite Constantine I moving the imperial capital to Constantinople in the same year.  

There are many more fascinating stories to discover in the Hayes Collection, and only a selection are able to be displayed here. To learn more, ask one of our staff, or search for "Hayes Collection" on our online database:

www.uq.edu.au/antiquities/collection/catalogue

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1. Dupondius of Hadrian

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2. Sestertius of Antoninus Pius

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3. Sestertius of Commodus

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4. As of Severus Alexander

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5. As of Gordian III

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6. Aes of Philip II

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7. Billon Tetradrachm of Trajan Decius

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8. Billon Tetradrachm of Trebonianus Gallus

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9. Antoninianus of Gallienus

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10. Antoninianus of Aurelian

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11. Potin Tetradrachm of Diocletian

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12. Follis of Constantine I as Caesar

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13. Follis of Maximinus II as Caesar

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14. Follis of Constantius II as Caesar

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15. Commemorative Follis of Constantine I

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16. Aes of Constans

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17. Aes of Constantius II

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18. Aes of Valentinian II

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19. Aes of Theodosius

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20. Follis of Justinian I

The Ancient Coins