Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Keystone Auction 6 11 Mar 2022
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Drusus. Caesar, AD 19-23. Æ Dupondius (28mm, 10.65 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck AD 21-22. Veiled, diademed, and draped bust of Livia (?) as Pietas right / Legend around large S C. Livia was the wife of Augustus, and mother of Tiberius. RIC I 43 (Tiberius); Cohen 1. Near Fine, green-brown patina.
From the Ken Bressett Collection. Ex coin show @ $9.
The personification on the obverse of this type has long been traditionally identified with Livia, the mother of Tiberius; Sutherland accordingly followed this conclusion, though with some hesitation. Drusus Caesar's name in the legend dates it squarely to the period shortly before his death in 23 AD and as part of the larger series extolling imperial virtues and dynastic succession. Only, three years before, Drusus' wife Livilla gave birth to twin sons . Thus, as Pietas, Livilla would have been a more logical model for Pietas than Livia, who by then was in her late 70s. Livilla had fulfilled her familial duty by producing heirs for a new, Claudian dynasty. At the same time, Sejanus, Tiberius' praefectus praetorio was on the ascendant and he attempted to ally himself with the imperial family by marrying Drusus' widow. Rumors had already been circultating that he had had a hand in the death of Drusus; these implications spread to Livilla as well who was soon revealed as having had an affair with Sejanus, even before Drusus' death
From the Ken Bressett Collection. Ex coin show @ $9.
The personification on the obverse of this type has long been traditionally identified with Livia, the mother of Tiberius; Sutherland accordingly followed this conclusion, though with some hesitation. Drusus Caesar's name in the legend dates it squarely to the period shortly before his death in 23 AD and as part of the larger series extolling imperial virtues and dynastic succession. Only, three years before, Drusus' wife Livilla gave birth to twin sons . Thus, as Pietas, Livilla would have been a more logical model for Pietas than Livia, who by then was in her late 70s. Livilla had fulfilled her familial duty by producing heirs for a new, Claudian dynasty. At the same time, Sejanus, Tiberius' praefectus praetorio was on the ascendant and he attempted to ally himself with the imperial family by marrying Drusus' widow. Rumors had already been circultating that he had had a hand in the death of Drusus; these implications spread to Livilla as well who was soon revealed as having had an affair with Sejanus, even before Drusus' death