The Roman Empire
Tiberius augustus, 14 – 37
Aureus, Lugdunum 14-37, AV 7.62 g. TI CAESAR DIVI – AVG F AVGVSTVS Laureate head r. Rev. PONTIF MAXIM Draped female figure (Livia as Pax) seated r. on chair with plain legs, holding long sceptre and branch. C 15. BMC 30. RIC 25. CBN 14. Calicó 305d.
A very delicate portrait of fine style perfectly struck on a full flan and a finely
detailed reverse composition. Virtually as struck and almost Fdc Ex Antiqua sale VIII, 2000, 108.

One of the nicest examples of this common issue with the ”normal” Tiberius portrait. Livia has full facial details on the reverse indicating a likely early strike off these dies. MSG.

This type, perhaps the most commonly encountered Roman coin today, copies the reverse design created under Augustus shortly before his death (see lot 84). Augustus had named Tiberius as his intended successor by the time the original reverse of this type was created. Given that Tiberius was the son of Livia and knowing that she was the one pushing so hard for Augustus to name Tiberius it makes perfect sense that she would be the personification shown here. Maybe more telling is the fact she is holding a laurel branch. One can assume this is stating that via the strength of the emperor’s wife Livia, a peaceful transition of power has been achieved.

It remains curious that Tiberius would continue to mint this type alone for his entire reign, which extended well beyond the time when the importance of his mother had passed. In silver this type is often referred to as the biblical ”tribute penny” as it was described in the King James Bible. The type comes with the chair having both plain legs (as seen here) and ornate legs. This simple feature seems to have been engraved to the engraver’s liking and no significance has been identified with the leg design. MSG.