Description
Tiberius Caesar Augustus, Roman Emperor of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty 14-37 AD, Gold Aureus (7.67g, 20mm), Group 1, Lugdunum mint 15-18 AD. Obverse: Laureate head of Tiberius facing to the right, legend surrounds, “TI CΛESΛR DIVI ΛVG F ΛVGVSTVS”. Reverse: Draped figure of Livia Drusilla, mother of Tiberius, seated facing to the right on throne with plain legs – Livia is portrayed as Pax, holding a long vertical sceptre and olive branch; exergual lines below, legend surrounds, “PONTIF MAXIM”. Sear-1760; RIC-I-25; BMC-30; Calicó-305d. Some typical wear over obverse high point, otherwise quite a noteworthy ‘tribute penny’ type of Tiberius in gold, the poor strike of the facial features is easily overlooked when considering the choice reverse, each side well centred, a collectible example, near Very Fine, reverse Very Fine.
The Obverse Latin legend reads “Tiberius Caesar, divi Augusti fīlius, Augustus”, with an English translation of “Tiberius Caesar, son of the Divine Augustus, Augustus”. The Reverse Latin legend reads “Pontifex Maximus”, with an English translation of “Chief High Priest of the College of Pontiffs”.