Coins of the Roman Imperatorial Era

Lucius Cornelius Sulla, issue of 84-83 BC.

Brutus

Sulla was a victorious General in many of Rome's external conflicts, capturing Athens in 86 BC. He became consul in 88 BC. He became an unlimited term Dictator in 81 BC after winning a civil war against opposing Roman forces. He attempted to reform the Roman Republic during his Dictatorship and then retired in 79 BC. Although he attempted to improve the Republic his example showed that a strong general could obtain control and become an unlimited term Dictator.

Issue of Q. Nasidius, sub-commander of the Pompeian fleet, Massalia or Sicilian mint, ca. 44-43 BC. NEPTVNI, bare head of Pompeius Magnus right, dolphin right below, trident before / Galley (quinquereme) under sail to right, with multiple banks of oars, shields lining gunnels, heads of rowers and/or marines along deck, large figure (Sextus Pompey?) standing at prow pointing forward, six-pointed star in upper left field, Q NASIDIVS below. Crawford 483/2

The roller-coaster career of Sextus Pompey, youngest son Pompey the Great, spanned the dying years of the Roman Republic and its rebirth as an Empire. The large and varied coinage of Sextus Pompey employs numerous interesting nautical themes, in keeping with his claim to be the "son of Neptune." This attractive denarius belongs to the brief interval between Caesar's murder and Sextus' appointment as Praefect of the Fleet in April of 43 BC, during his sojourn at the Gallic port city of Massilia. The obverse portrait is clearly recognizable as Pompey the Great, although the legend identifies him as Neptune and provides him appropriate attributes- a dolphin and trident. The moneyer, Q. Nasidius, was a Pompeian loyalist who served both Magnus and Sextus as commander of the fleet until his defeat at Naulochus, whereupon he joined Antony's forces, only to suffer another naval defeat at Actium in 31 BC.

This piece is unusual because the obverse and reverse legends are clear and legible. Legend Rev: Julius the god;
Legend Obv:  Caesar Son of the God I believe this is the largest portrait of Julius Caesar on a coin, at least for those made in ancient times. This coin was believed minted in southern Italy by Octavian.

Julius Caesar was a supreme general who used his power to overthrow the decaying Roman Republic.  Caesar was his family name but later it became a title for future Emperors.  He adopted Octavian as his heir. Octavian used Tarentum in southern Italy as his base port for his war against the conservative Republican-Allied forces of Sextus Pompey.

Brutus, military mint traveling with Brutus & Cassius in Western Asia or Northern Greece late summer or autumn, 42 BC.

Crawford 508-2.

Crawford 2nd edition supposedly has lesser plate quality than the rarer & more expensive 1st ed. I figured I could always compensate for the plates with online images and it has additions & corrections to the 1st ed.

After he formed the Principate in 27BC, Octavian took the name "Augustus". He is is technically the 1st Roman Emperor as Julius was assassinated before he had that title.