Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction X 27 September 2015
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Antoninus Pius AV Quinarius. Rome, AD 150-151. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XIIII, bare head right / COS IIII, Liberalitas standing left, holding account board and vexillum, LIB VI across fields. RIC 198a. 3.57g, 15mm, 6h.
Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare.
From the Ambrose Collection.
The association of traditional Roman virtues with the figure of the emperor is a prime example of how Augustus and his successors employed symbolism, along with their own portraits and architectural types, to portray their reigns to the Roman people in a positive light. Liberalitas usually appears on coins which commemorate an act of generosity on behalf of the Emperor towards the Roman people, much like how in Republican times the aediles distributed money and grain on behalf of the Senate to acquire popular support. The COS IIII series of Antoninus Pius is the first to depict Liberalitas bearing the vexillum, which we may suppose made announcement of a largess (congiarium). Very little record exists of specific congiaria during Antoninus Pius' reign but the Historia Augusta does attest to his personal generosity (Historia Augusta, Life of Antonius Pius, IV, 9).
Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare.
From the Ambrose Collection.
The association of traditional Roman virtues with the figure of the emperor is a prime example of how Augustus and his successors employed symbolism, along with their own portraits and architectural types, to portray their reigns to the Roman people in a positive light. Liberalitas usually appears on coins which commemorate an act of generosity on behalf of the Emperor towards the Roman people, much like how in Republican times the aediles distributed money and grain on behalf of the Senate to acquire popular support. The COS IIII series of Antoninus Pius is the first to depict Liberalitas bearing the vexillum, which we may suppose made announcement of a largess (congiarium). Very little record exists of specific congiaria during Antoninus Pius' reign but the Historia Augusta does attest to his personal generosity (Historia Augusta, Life of Antonius Pius, IV, 9).