Utica





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Utica, the most ancient of the Phoenician colonies in Africa, was founded by the Tyrians before Carthage in 1100 BC, on the north coast of Zeugitana. After the destruction of Carthage it became "the residence of the Roman governor, the principal emporium for the Roman commerce, and the port of debarkation for the Roman armaments destined to act in the interior of Africa." (T. H. Dyer, art, VTICA, Smith's Dict. of Geography). It was at Utica the younger Cato killed himself. It was presented by Augustus with the Roman civitas and became a Roman colony under Hadrian. It probably fell into the |hands| of the Vandals under Genseric, AD 439, and was eventually destroyed by the Arabs during the reign of Abdalmalik, AD 685-705.

The following coins are attributed to Utica:

1. Obverse: No legend, veiled bust of Livia to right; behind, a sceptre. Reverse: M M IVL VTI D D around; the letters P P (Municipes Minicipii Julii Uticensis Decurionum Decreto; Permissu Proconsulis); bronze AE 3.

2. Obverse: TI CAESAR AVG F AVG, bare head of Tiberius to left. Reverse: M M IVL VTIC P P D D, veiled Livia seated to left, holding a patera and sceptre; bronze AE 2.

3. Obverse: TI CAE DIVI AVG F AVG IMP VII [or TI CAE DIVI AVG F A IMP VII], bare head of Tiberius to left or right. Reverse: M M IVL VTIC D D P P [or M MVM IVL VTICEN P P D D], same type as number 2; bronze AE 2.

4. Obverse: TI . . . IMP VII, bare head of Tiberius to left or right. Reverse: M V D D P P (Minicipium Uticense Decurionum Decreto Permissu Proconsulis), within a laurel wreath; bronze AE 3.

5. Obverse: TI CAESAR AVG, bare head of Tiberius to left. Reverse: C APRON IIVIR D D [P P] in the field; bronze AE 3.


View whole page from the |Dictionary Of Roman Coins|