From Caesar to Augustus (c. 49 BC-AD 14)

I have looked at a lot of Augustus' coins and have used them as part of the A-Level, but have always had a sense of huge gaps in my knowledge: where were the mints, how many coins were struck, by who, how did provincial and imperial mints and types interact....etc etc.? This book addresses these areas through hundreds of illustrated examples (though a bit of colour wouldn't come amiss); through some theoretical discussion of the various purposes of money as fiduciary or intrinsic value; through symbolic purposes (I never knew some cities only ever minted once when founded showing the walls and buildings they hoped one day to have!) which differ with changing audiences and times (some coins circulated for centuries). There is much much more in this book too: competitive coining in the triumviral period; imitative types; how die patterns allow frequency calculations....the list goes on. I would recommend this to anyone studying coins or the period 49BCE-14CE or just interested in how we (and it turns out ancient authors too) use coins to understand the past.

I collect ancient coins and this book was the perfect companion for connecting history to the coins I collect. Very well written, well sourced, and lots of great coin photos.

This is an easily readable resource for both the historian and the coin collector.

Excellent and detailed study of this fascinating period of Roman History,well worth it and a great addition to any ones collection of books to do with ancient coins.

I love the x2 photos! The text is engaging and informative. I have studied that period of history a lot and have other coin books on the period, but still found much new of interest. Unlike some coin books, the photos are enlarged x2 which is excellent. There are about 198 coin images, including a few maps and diagrams. I recommend it highly.