Rome was a late-comer to coinage. The Republic adopted coins from the Greeks during the third century BC. Adapting them for their own purposes, they mastered mass-communication through coins in the days before printing presses, radio and internet. Money became the most efficient way to spread propaganda, glorifying Rome, her conquests and ideals.

Reflecting Rome’s political evolution, the messaging on coins transitioned from the primacy of the Republic to the accomplishments of individuals. In the wake of foreign invasions and civil wars, military men amassed political power, undermining the ideals of the Republic. They began celebrating themselves at the expense of Rome. In 44 BC, Julius Caesar shattered convention when he placed his own name and likeness on coins, breaking Republican traditions. The message was clear. Julius Caesar was now king in all but name. However, the price of his hubris was high – he paid with his life.

What Caesar began, his adopted nephew, Augustus, confirmed. Learning from Caesar’s mistakes, Augustus became the “First Man in Rome,” which bestowed him with greater authority and dignity than any other citizen. Calculatingly, he preserved the traditions of the Republic, while developing absolute power in the background. The coins, revealing his true authority, slowly transitioned to feature his image, and his image alone.

Roman coins were the life blood of the Silk Road trade network for centuries. Today, they can be found in cities across Eurasia, from Persia to India and even into China. For over 1500 years, Roman gold and silver was exported in exchange for eastern luxuries. In fact, so much silver left Europe that it almost disappeared from late Roman and Byzantine coinage.

DID YOU KNOW?
Republican Roman coinage did not feature living individuals. The Republic, which represented the Roman people, must always be more important than any single person. Therefore, Republican coins glorified their gods and ideals, a principle adopted by America’s Founding Fathers two millennia later.