New in our coin shop: The Flavians and the smell of money

The civil war is over and Rome has a new emperor: Vespasian of the Flavian family gains the throne in the year 69. But not only glory comes with the purple, but also a desolate state treasury: War and mismanagement have torn a big hole in the budget.

Vespasian therefore issues a tax on public toilets. The collected urine is an important resource for tanners and launderers - and they are ready to pay the premium. When his son Titus complains about the disreputable source of revenue, Vespasian holds a coin under his nose. Whether the smell of the coin disturbs him, he asks his son. When he says no, Vespasian answers: Atqui e lotio est ("And yet it is from urine!"). This later becomes pecunia non olet: "Money does not stink."

But not only in practice, the Flavians prove to be clever statesmen; especially in the coinage they always emphasize their qualities as emperors: they fulfill their duties, provide the people with grain and are particularly close to the gods.

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In our Online-Shop you will find a huge range of ancient coins, historical and modern coins from all parts of the world. Moreover, you will find mintages from the German States, the German Empire, and the Weimar Republic, the Third Reich, the FRG and GDR plus coins from the Eurozone. Besides that, we also offer thematic medals. At Emporium Numismatics you will find gold coins, silver coins as well as bronze coins or copper-nickel. We constantly expand our selection making regular visits to our site worthwhile.

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