My Journey to Completing the Twelve Caesars Set

I’m over the moon to share that I’ve finally completed my set of coins featuring the Twelve Caesars—a journey I started about a year ago. What a ride it’s been! Holding all twelve emperors in my collection still gives me that warm collector’s thrill. What seemed intimidating at first turned out to be totally doable, especially once I found clever ways to keep costs reasonable without sacrificing historical significance.

Smart Budgeting for the Set

When I began this quest, I knew costs could snowball fast. My solution? A balanced mix that kept the whole set under $2,000. Here’s the recipe that worked for me:

• 6 silver coins for that satisfying heft and prestige
• 6 bronze pieces to save funds and add texture
• 6 imperial mint coins straight from Rome
• 6 provincial issues showing the empire’s far-flung reach

This approach made the hunt way more fun too. I remember scoring my Antioch bronze of Otho in a lot of 18 bronzes for practically nothing—meanwhile my Augustus denarius required serious saving. Pro tip: bulk deals often hide real treasures at bargain prices.

Coins That Told Stories

Every emperor in my set whispers history, but some shout louder than others. My Vespasian denarius—the last piece I added—features a victory reverse that felt like my own personal triumph. When choosing coins, I learned to value clear legends over perfect surfaces. You’ll pay through the nose for mint-state silvers like Caligula’s drachm, but provincial bronzes? They’re often overlooked gems with great detail.

Tips from My Trenches

Thinking of starting your own Twelve Caesars set? Here’s what I’d tell my past self: First, stick strictly to Suetonius’ roster—no substituting Marc Antony for Julius Caesar. Read “The Twelve Caesars” too; those juicy (and brutal) stories make Tiberius’ coin feel chillingly real. And track your finds from day one—I regret not logging mine better!

• Build momentum with common emperors like Vespasian first
• Give yourself a timeline (I aimed for under a year)
• Hit coin shows and trusted dealers—but always check authenticity

That Julius Caesar gap will test your patience, but trust me—waiting for the right deal beats overpaying.

What’s Next?

Now that my Caesars rest comfortably in their trays, I’m setting sights on an Athenian owl tetradrachm—a natural leap into Greek coinage. But for now? I’m just soaking in this victory. To all you fellow collectors out there, whether you’re eyeing your first Augustus denarius or hunting down that final Vitellius: keep chasing history one coin at a time. Happy hunting!