Ancient Rome - 14-37 CE Tiberius AV Aureus NGC MS

A golden treasure from the reign of Tiberius for your collection!

Tiberius. Gold Aureus (7.82 g), AD 14-37. NGC grade MS; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5.  'Tribute Penny' of the Bible type. Struck at Lugdunum Mint (Lyon, France), AD 18-35. Obverse: TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS, with laureate head of Tiberius facing to the right. Reverse: PONTIF MAXIM, with Livia, as Pax, seated right on chair with ornate legs, holding scepter and olive branch. Sources: RIC 29; Lyon 149; BMC 46; Calicó 305a. This is a lustrous and well struck piece with nice full legends.

Bust of Tiberius. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

The message on the obverse, TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVTVS (“Tiberius Caesar Augustus, son of divine Augustus”), was vital in signifying transition of power in the early Roman Empire. The title helped Tiberius to publicize his inherited right to rule, as Augustus’ heir and deified first Roman Emperor.

The reverse design showing a female figure is commonly assumed to be Livia, mother of Tiberius and Augustus’s wife of fifty-three years. Livia is depicted as the Roman deity for peace, Pax. The writing around her, “PONTIF MAXIM”, refers to the title of Pontifex Maximus, a title held by each of the Roman Emperors that signified the religious power held by the Roman Emperor.