Roman Empire, Tiberius (AD 14-37), AR Denarius, ‘Tribute Penny’ type, Lugdunum, group 4,

Description

**Roman Empire, Tiberius (AD 14-37)**
**AR Denarius, ‘Tribute Penny’ type**
**Mint:** Lugdunum
**Group 4, c. 18-35 AD**

**Obverse:**
– **Legend:** TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS
– **Design:** Laureate head of Tiberius facing right
– **Details:** This coin features the portrait of Emperor Tiberius, the successor of Augustus. The legend translates to “Tiberius Caesar, Son of the Divine Augustus, Augustus,” emphasizing Tiberius’ status as both the adopted son and heir of the revered Augustus, and his position as the reigning emperor. The laureate crown indicates his role as a leader, perhaps alluding to both his civil authority and military successes.

**Reverse:**
– **Legend:** PONTIF MAXIM
– **Design:** Livia as Pax, seated right with feet on a footstall, holding a scepter in her right hand and an olive branch in her left
– **Details:** The reverse of the coin depicts Livia, the mother of Tiberius, personified as Pax, the goddess of peace. She is shown seated, holding symbols of peace and authority—a scepter and an olive branch. The inscription “PONTIF MAXIM” refers to the title of Pontifex Maximus, or the chief priest, a role that Tiberius held, which further solidified his supreme power over both religious and secular matters in Rome. The image of Livia as Pax reinforces the idea of peace and stability during Tiberius’ reign, a period that sought to continue the prosperity established by Augustus.

**Condition:**
– **Weight:** 3.55g
– **Characteristics:** The coin is darkly toned, which adds to its visual appeal. It shows some wear consistent with age, but retains residual luster, indicating that it has been well-preserved over the centuries. The wear is evident but does not obscure the detailed imagery and inscriptions, making it a fine example of this historically significant type.

**Historical Context:**
This type of denarius is famously known as the “Tribute Penny,” referenced in the Christian Bible in the context of Jesus’ teaching to “render unto Caesar.” This connection has made the coin particularly famous among collectors and historians. The coin was struck during the reign of Tiberius at the Lugdunum mint (modern-day Lyon, France), which was one of the principal mints of the Roman Empire. The imagery of Pax on the reverse aligns with the Augustan ideal of bringing peace (Pax Romana) to the empire, a theme that Tiberius continued to promote throughout his rule.

**Provenance:**
From the Collection of Dr. Tony Abramson