Antique Collection
The coins of the Celtic and other protohistoric peoples who once inhabited the Carpathian Basin comprise a collection of nearly 6,000 pieces. The majority of this material consists of Celtic coins; it also includes items minted in territory of present Hungary in imitation of Byzantine issues. The most outstanding part of the antique collection is the Greek coinage, numbering nearly 10,000 pieces. The most significant items are those that entered the territory of present-day Hungary through plunder and trade; however, through donations and systematic collecting, the collection now represents all major groups of Greek numismatics.
The Roman numismatic collection, comprising nearly 70,000 pieces, consists of a smaller proportion of Republican issues and a majority of Imperial coins. More than a quarter of the material is preserved in sealed units organised by findspot, among which one of the most valuable is the Szikáncs coin hoard, containing 1,439 gold solidi. The Byzantine coin collection, numbering approximately 3,000 pieces, is composed largely of coins recovered from archaeological excavations conducted in Hungary.
Contact Dr István Vida, vida.istvan@hnm.hu and Dr Ferenc Barna, barna.ferenc@mnm.hu
The gold ingots dated to 367–375 AD originally formed part of the gold reserves of the Roman mint at Sirmium. They were most likely brought to Transylvania as war booty by the Goths. There, they may have been concealed in the area of the Bodzai-szoros (today: Buzău Valley, Romania) by Goths fleeing from the Huns.
The ingots were discovered in 1887 during earthworks.**
This drachma-sized, unparalleled small coin entered the Coins Collection as part of the Dessewffy Collection. Its findspot was in the vicinity of Esztergom. On the obverse, reflecting distinctive features of Celtic art, is the head of a warrior, whose helmet is probably adorned with a small boar figure—the “sacred” animal of the Celts.
In the autumn of 1903, a treasure trove containing approximately 2.5 kg of silver coins was discovered. A considerable number of these entered public collections, including the Hungarian National Museum. The coins, with an average weight of around 2.5 g, are thought to belong to the issues of the Boii tribe in the region around Bratislava (Pozsony) and were probably struck in the first half of the 1st century BC. A characteristic feature of this type is the horse depicted on the reverse. Instead of a warrior riding the horse, as seen on earlier types, its back is usually occupied by other motifs, such as a bird or geometric symbols (e.g. an “S” shape or a wheel).
The bridge depicted on the reverse of the coin is sometimes mistakenly identified as the River Danube bridge built between AD 103 and 105 by Apollodorus of Damascus. Emperor Trajan had this bridge constructed east of the Vaskapu Strait (today: Porțile de Fier, Romania) in order to facilitate the crossing of troops and the supply of provisions during the Dacian Wars. In fact, the coin depicts the Pons Cestius in the city of Rome, which Trajan may have had restored.
During his reign, Hadrian travelled extensively throughout the provinces of the Empire, and these journeys were commemorated on coins, emphasising the peace of the Empire and the emperor’s care for its provinces. This coin, dated to 132–134 AD, probably refers to his final journey to the Balkans.
After the death of his wife Faustina, in AD 141, Antoninus Pius had large quantities of coins struck for the deified empress during the remaining twenty years of his reign. The inscription AETERNITAS refers to the eternal memory of Faustina, while the depiction of Fortuna alludes to the unpredictability of fate.
Virtus, stepping onto the prow of a ship and holding a sceptre and a parazonium, embodies the principal imperial and military virtues—courage and martial strength—considered essential for fitness to rule and for the protection of the peoples of the Empire.
Florianus was the half-brother of the previous emperor, Tacitus, and ascended the throne after Tacitus’s death during the period of military anarchy. However, the eastern army proclaimed Probus emperor. Although commanding a smaller force, Probus was the more experienced soldier. Following defeat in their confrontation, Florianus was murdered by his own troops. His reign lasted only 88 days. His antoniniani—silver coins valued at two denarii—had a precious metal content of only 4–5% at this time, reflecting the severe economic instability of the Empire.
L. Domitius Alexander rebelled in Africa in 308 AD against the rule of Emperor Maxentius and assumed the title of emperor. He also had gold and bronze coins minted at Carthage. The reverse of his follis depicts Victoria in military uniform, standing on a globe and holding a sceptre as a victorious general. The inscription ROMAE AETERNAE indicates that he regarded himself as the ruler of the entire Roman Empire.
Following the coinage reform of Diocletian, Roman coinage underwent a radical transformation by the 4th century AD. Small bronze coins became the most common denomination and were produced in enormous quantities at numerous mints throughout the Empire. As the original denominations are no longer known, these coins are classified today according to their size (AE1–AE4). Christian symbols began to appear on coins during the reign of Constantine I, such as the cross in the right field of this coin; however, these symbols still formed part of the mint marks rather than the principal coin design.
