Who’s Done a Calendar with Their Twelve Caesars Coins? My Numismatic Journey

Lately, I’ve been having a blast with a personal project: creating a custom calendar using my Twelve Caesars coins. It hit me that twelve emperors perfectly match twelve months—what a natural way to merge history with numismatics! I’ve been crafting these as gifts that spark conversations, and thought I’d share how it’s been going for anyone who might want to try something similar.

Where This Idea Sprung From

Like many collectors, I’m always dreaming up new ways to enjoy my coins beyond the album. Pairing each Caesar with a month just clicked—not only for the visual impact, but for weaving in those fascinating historical snippets. Imagine Julius Caesar’s reforms or Augustus’ reign highlighted alongside crisp coin photos, explained so even non-collecting friends get it. Honestly, turning ancient history into something you can hang on the wall feels like magic, and I know some of you have probably tinkered with projects like this too.

Filling the Gaps in My Collection

Right off the bat, I faced the reality most of us know too well—my Twelve Caesars set isn’t complete. Tiberius, Claudius, Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Titus are still playing hard-to-get. Here’s how I worked around it:

• Hunting tips: Tough ones like Galba or Otho can really test your patience (and wallet!). I’ve had my best luck stalking eBay and Heritage Auctions—prices swing wildly based on condition, so timing matters. Pro tip: auction houses often have better deals around major coin shows.
• Grading thoughts: While slabbed coins (NGC/PCGS) look sharp in photos, don’t sweat perfection. VF grades show details beautifully, but even worn coins whisper their own stories.
• Flexible solutions: Missing emperors? I considered replicas for consistency, or mixing in other Roman coins from my collection to broaden the theme. Your calendar, your rules!

Playing Matchmaker: Caesars and Months

Deciding who lands where sparked some lively debates with myself. Chronological order felt too textbook, so I played with cheeky alternatives—like Julius in March (hello, Ides!) or Augustus in August (obviously!). Here’s what I settled on:

• For fellow collectors: Lean into inside jokes! Slot Caligula alongside a month tied to his… colorful reign. Birthdates or major battles make great anchors that add layers for history buffs.
• For everyone else: Keep it simple. Julius in July and Augustus in August? That’s instant recognition. I even tried using Latin month names—surprisingly, it didn’t confuse folks and added a cool teaching moment.

When Emperors Renamed Months (Briefly!)

Digging into the history behind month names was eye-opening. Turns out emperors loved slapping their names on calendars, but most changes flopped:

• Julius Caesar: Quintilis became July posthumously—the rare rebrand that stuck.
• Augustus: Sextilis turned into August permanently. Score one for the first emperor!
• Others like Caligula/Nero: Tried renaming September to Germanicus? Yeah, that lasted about as long as their popularity did. Most reverted fast after their reigns ended.

It’s a stark reminder of how fleeting imperial power could be. For clarity’s sake, I stuck with standard names in my calendar—but what a fun historical footnote to share!

Bringing Your Calendar to Life

Now the hands-on fun! I started simple: coin photos paired with bite-sized histories. Some hard-won advice:

• Design choices: Wall calendars showcase coins best, but a desk version lets you feature bonus coins daily. Free editing apps work fine—no Photoshop degree needed!
• Know your audience: Skip numismatic jargon for casual giftees (though tossing in “denarius” delights collectors). A tiny glossary helps bridge the gap.
• Budget & timing: Online printers like Vistaprint keep costs down. Start early—2026 calendars make perfect holiday gifts if you begin now.

This whole adventure has made me fall in love with my coins and Roman history all over again. Mine’s almost ready to print, and I’d love to see what you create—it’s amazing where our collections can take us!