The emperors resign!

Today’s anniversary by Will Leveritt. 1709 years ago today, on the first of May A.D. 305, the joint emperors Diocletian and Maximian took the incredible decision to resign the imperial power, the former at Nicomedia, the latter at Milan. This coin is an antoninianus, and on the obverse shows Maximian wearing the radiate crown. The legend …

Happy birthday Marcus Aurelius!

In a new occasional series, Nottingham PhD student Will Leveritt posts his own photos of coins to reflect on significant anniversaries. 1893 years ago today, on the 26th of April A.D. 121,  the Stoic philosopher and Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius was born in Rome. On the obverse of the coin we see the laureate head …