Summary

Gold Aureus struck under the Emperor Tiberius between 14 and 37 AD, Ancient Roman Empire. Minted by Lugdunum. The gold aureus was the basic unit of Roman gold coinage for over two centuries. It was common during the reign of Tiberius, from which this example dates. The head of Tiberius appears on the aureus.

Lugdunum was the principal precious-metal mint under Tiberius and this, the 'Pontif. Maxim.' coin type was the main design struck. Production both of gold aureii and silver denarii with this design continued throughout Tiberius' reign (AD 14-37) with only slight modification - the chair, for example, seems to become more decorated with the passage of time. The female figure seated on the reverse has been identified as Livia, wife of Augustus and mother of Tiberius, both of whom held the pontifex maximus position, but this identification is unclear, she could also be Pax, or simply a priestess.

Obverse Description

Laureate head of Tiberius facing right; around, TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS

Reverse Description

Female figure seated facing right on chair with ornamented legs, in her left hand she holds a long vertical sceptre an in her right a branch; around, PONTIF MAXIM

Edge Description

Plain

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