Domus Augusta - NumisWiki, The Collaborative Numismatics Project

The Domus Augusta Tiberian Dupondii and Sestertii Imperial Propaganda Series and the Year 22-23 A.D. for Strikes- Joe Geranio

In 22-23 A.D. a wonderful and beautiful series of dupondii and sestertii were struck under Tiberius. This is eight or so years into the principate of Tiberius and I believe as well as others that this was a way to continue and revive the imperial propaganda of Augustus. This was a way for these women or dieties to be honored, and at the same time show the strength of the Julio Claudian Dynasty. Tiberius was a smart administrator and took this series of coins seriously. The First is a beautiful commemorative sestertius struck for the mother of Tiberius and the wife of the then Divine Augustus. The inscription on the reverse is TICAESARDIVIAVGFAVGVSTPMTRPOTXXIIII , while the obverse legend is SPQR IVLIAE AUGVST, a wonderful ornamented carpentum being drawn by two mules. This issue is part of three of the series of sestertius struck under Tiberius for 22-23.

Livia has taken her place as Mater Familias on the Carpentum.

Next sestertius is the Seated Radiate Divine Augustus as seated on a throne, letting us know that the Augustan precepts and strength will continue.

Divus Augustus. Died AD 14. � Sestertius (28.02 g, 7h). Rome mint. Struck under Tiberius, AD 22-23. Augustus, radiate, seated left, feet on stool, holding branch and scepter; altar before / Legend around large S � C. RIC I 49 (Tiberius). cngcoins.com

The next sestertius in the series struck in 22-23 A.D. is a wonderful seated figure of the Living Princeps seated on sella curulis. So we have the divine AVG on a thronus, and the living princeps on the curule seat, the thread of dynastic rule continues.

Tiberius. AD 14-37. � Sestertius (35mm, 26.04 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck AD 22-23. Tiberius seated left, holding patera and scepter / Legend around large S C. RIC I 48. This coin I have been personally trying to attain without any luck. It seems to be tough to find in at least his condition.

Now to the dupondii series struck in 22 -23 A.D.

The first is the Tiberius. AD 14-37. � Dupondius (31mm, 15.01 g). Rome mint. Struck AD 22-23. Veiled, diademed, and draped bust of Livia as Pietas right / Legend around large S C. RIC I 43; BMCRE 98; Cohen 1. cngcoins.com.

The Pietas type sometimes shows a slightly sagging cheek and jawline, clearly showing someone in later human age. Was Pietas being used to honor a deceased relative as it was in Roman custom and coins? It has been stated the obverse portrait could be Livia, the wife of Drusus Livilla (we also have the Drusus legend), Antonia the mother of Livilla and Agrippina Major. Jasper Burns did an intriguing article on the portrait possibly being Vipsania Agrippina, of course daughter of Agrippa. See: http://www.jasperburns.com/gasvips.htm I personally see Livia as this was what these series of 22-23 A.D. coins objectives were which I have previously stated.

Julia Augusta (Livia). Augusta, AD 14-29. � Dupondius (29mm, 14.48 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck under Tiberius, AD 22-23. Diademed and draped bust of Julia Augusta (as Justitia) right; IVSTITIA below / TI CAESAR DIVI F AVG P M TR POT XXIIII, large S C. RIC I 46 (Tiberius). cngcoins.com

The IUSTITIA type of a diademed female is thought by some to represent Livia or Antonia. I believe the coin to be Livia to stay consistent with what these series of 22-23 A.D. coins objectives were which I have previously stated.

Julia Augusta (Livia). Augusta, AD 14-29. � Dupondius (14.52 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck under Tiberius, AD 22-23. SALVS � AVGVSTA, bare-headed and draped bust of Julia Augusta (Livia) as Salus Augusta right / TI � CAESAR � DIVI � AVG F � AVG P M TR � POT � XXIIII � around large S � C. RIC I 47 (Tiberius); BMCRE 81-4 (Tiberius); BN 63-7 (Tiberius); Cohen 5. cngcoins.com

The SALVSAVGVSTA type is by far my favorite for style and I love this issue! I believe this coin is clearly Livia as Universally accepted. Well, 22-23 A.D was a great year for Julio Claudian Imperial Coinage.

Tiberius & Germanicus Gemellus. AD 19-37/8 and 19-23/4, respectively. � Sestertius (36mm, 27.91 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck under Tiberius, AD 22-23. Crossed cornucopias, each surmounted by bareheaded bust of a boy, vis-�-vis; winged caduceus between / DRVSVS CAESAR TI AVG F DIVI AVG N PONT TR POT II around large S C. RIC I 42 (Tiberius); BMCRE 95 (Tiberius).

This issue, commemorating the birth of twin sons to Drusus Caesar and his wife Livia Drusilla (Livilla), was part of the series issued under Tiberius in AD 22-23 to promote the imperial virtue and dynastic solidity of the emperor 's family. Although Germanicus Gemellus died very young, his brother Tiberius lived into his adulthood, with the expectation that he would be heir to his grandfather following the premature death of his father, Drusus. In the later years of the emperor 's life, however, Gaius (Caligula) was often seen in close company with the emperor, while Tiberius Gemellus ' status was shrouded in obscurity. Thus after the death of the emperor, Caligula, assisted by the Praetorian Prefect, Macro, quickly moved to take the purple. Upon the reading of the deceased emperor 's will it was discovered that Tiberius intended for both Tiberius Gemellus and his cousin Gaius to be jointly elevated, and, moreover, that Gemellus was to be the senior partner. Under unknown authority, Caligula quickly had the will vacated, and, shortly thereafter, his cousin murdered. cngcoins.com