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June 20, 2025
I’m still buzzing from finally completing my Twelve Caesars set last month—what a rush! After hunting for just under a year and keeping everything under $2,000, I’ve got this beautifully balanced collection that just oozes history from every coin.
My Approach to Building the Set
To make this work without breaking the bank, I mixed things up: six silver coins paired with six bronzes, and split evenly between imperial mint issues and provincial pieces. This let me grab those pricier denarii while filling gaps with affordable bronzes. What mattered most was getting genuine coins from each emperor’s reign—not chasing top-tier grades that’d cost a fortune.
Standout Finds and Stories
Oh, the stories this set could tell! My wallet definitely felt that Augustus denarius, but holding a piece minted during his reign? Worth every cent. My best bargain was an Antioch bronze of Otho—snagged it in a lot with 17 other coins for peanuts. And that final Vespasian denarius with the victory reverse? Pure poetry for capping off my own collecting triumph!
Tips If You’re Starting Your Own
If you’re building a Twelve Caesars set, here’s what worked for me:
- Blend metals and mints—provincial bronzes are seriously underrated budget-savers
- Stick to coins actually issued during each reign (no substituting Marc Antony for Julius Caesar!) to honor Suetonius’ classic account
- Watch auction lots and forums like a hawk—that’s where real bargains hide
- Target VF or better grades for legibility, but remember: character beats perfection every time
When History Comes Alive
Reading Suetonius while building this set changed everything. Those wild tales—like Tiberius’ island escapades—transform these coins from metal to time machines. Now each piece sparks conversations about the messy, fascinating lives behind them.
What’s Brewing Next
With the Caesars proudly displayed, I’m already dreaming of my next conquest: an Athenian owl tetradrachm. It feels like the perfect leap from Rome to Greece—I’ll keep you posted on that adventure!
Putting this together reminded me why we collect: that heart-thumping chase, the stories in every find, and proving you don’t need deep pockets to build something meaningful. If the Twelve Caesars whisper to you too? Go for it—half the joy’s in the hunt itself!
