Crafting a Calendar with My Twelve Caesars Coins: A Numismatic Journey

You know how Roman coins just pull you in? For me, it’s always been the Twelve Caesars series that sparks that special thrill. One rainy afternoon, I had this lightbulb moment: what if I turned my collection into a calendar? Each month featuring one emperor’s coin – a perfect way to share my obsession with family while making history part of their daily routine.

Sketching Out the Calendar Vision

First things first: I needed a clear plan. Each month would showcase one Caesar, paired with bite-sized historical snippets in plain language. We’re talking Julius Caesar through Domitian – all twelve rulers. Since I wanted even my non-collector nephew to enjoy it, I ditched terms like “obverse” for friendlier descriptions like “the emperor’s portrait side.” Keep it simple, right?

The Coin Hunt: Realities of Building the Set

Let’s be honest – finding coins for all twelve emperors isn’t like picking apples. My collection had gaps (Tiberius and Claudius played hard to get!). Here’s what I discovered while hunting:

• Condition matters most: Stick to VF or better grades so portraits and legends stay crisp. An Augustus denarius in decent shape really shows off his famous profile.
• Short reigns = scarce coins: Good luck finding affordable Galba, Otho, or Vitellius specimens! I spent months monitoring auctions, learning to appreciate lower grades when budgets bite.
• No shame in substitutions: Missing an emperor? A sharp photo or tasteful replica keeps your calendar intact without emptying your savings.

Playing Calendar Tetris with History

Matching emperors to months turned into my favorite puzzle. Chronological order puts Julius in January, but where’s the fun in that? I debated putting him in March (hello, Ides!) or July – his namesake month. Augustus obviously claims August, but did you know Nero temporarily renamed April “Neroneus”? Wild! Here’s how I walked the line:

• Stick to familiar timelines: Julius in July, Augustus in August – keeps things recognizable for non-historians.
• Share the juicy footnotes: Mention those failed renaming attempts (Domitian’s October flop lasted about as long as his haircut), but keep the main flow straightforward.

Bringing It All Together

When it came time to assemble everything, I kept it practical. A simple digital mock-up helped visualize the final product. If you try this yourself, here’s what worked for me:

• Clean layouts win: One emperor coin + short bio per month. Free design tools handle the heavy lifting.
• Highlight human moments: Birth dates, major events – these little details make the coins feel alive.
• Share the passion: Printed copies for friends turn your collection into conversation starters. My sister actually asked to see my Titus denarius after seeing February’s page!

This whole journey reminded me why I fell for these coins in the first place. Turning them into a calendar wasn’t just fun – it made ancient history feel present in my living room. Give it a shot with your own collection! Sometimes the best adventures start with twelve emperors and a crazy idea.