The Roman Empire In the name of Drusus, son of Tiberius Sestertius 22-23, Æ 26.89 g. Confronted heads of two little boys on crossed cornucopiae with caduceus between. Rev. DRVSVS CAESAR TI AVG F DIVI AVG N PONT TR POT II around S C. C 1. BMC Tiberius 95. Kent-Hirmer pl. 45, 156. RIC Tiberius 42. CBN Tiberius 72. Rare and probably the finest specimen known. Struck on an exceptionally large flan with two delicate portraits. Brown-green patina and good extremely fine Ex Millon Paris 8 June 2007, 74 and NAC 51, 2009, William James Conte, 171 sales. The crossed-cornucopias design is familiar on ancient coinage, and here the cornucopias, grape clusters, grape leaves and pine cones seemingly allude to Bacchus or Liber in a reference to fecundity. In terms of dynastic appeal, the design boasts of the prosperity and fruitfulness of the Tiberian line, with the caduceus symbolizing Mercury as the messenger of the gods and the bringer of good fortune. Despite the hopefulness represented by this series of coins, tragedy struck on two fronts. The ‘Tiberian dynasty’ collapsed within months of its being announced when both Drusus and his son Germanicus Gemellus (the boy whose head is shown on the right cornucopia) died in 23. Poor fates awaited the remaining two members: Drusus’ wife Livilla became increasingly associated with Tiberius’ prefect Sejanus, and she died shamefully in the aftermath of his downfall in 31, and the second grandson, Tiberius Gemellus, survived long enough to be named co-heir of Tiberius with Caligula, but after Tiberius’ death he was pushed into a subsidiary role and soon was executed by Caligula, who would not tolerate a second heir to the throne.