Sear, D.R., Roman Coins and their Values 5 vols (London, Spink, 2000-2014) 1740; Mattingly, H., E.A. Sydenham, C.H. Sutherland, R.A. Carson, The Roman Imperial Coinage 13 vols (London,  Spink, 1923-1994) Tiberius 47; Mattingly, H.,Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, 6 vols (London, 1965) Tiberius 81; Giard, J.-P., Catalogue des Monnaies de l’Empire Romain 3 vols (Paris: Bibliothèque Nationale, 1988-1998) Tiberius 63, C5. [Rome, AD 22-3].

Gardner, P., ‘A New Portrait of Livia’, Journal of Roman Studies 12 (1922), 32-34;  Giacosa, G., Ritratti di Auguste (Milan, Arte e Moneta, 1974) 24 and pl. IV.; Gross, W.H., Iulia Augusta (Göttingen 1962) pl. 2, 2 & 3; Sutherland, C.H.V., Coinage in Roman Imperial Policy, 31 BC-AD 68 (London, Methuen, 1951) 97/8 and pl. VIII. 2.

1972.03

Dupondius of Livia, reign of Tiberius

14.231 g. AD 22

Obv.: Female bust (Livia?) r., hair in knot behind head, curl down neck. SALVS AVGVSTA.

Rev.: TI(iberius) CAESAR DIVI AVG(usti) F(ilius) AVG(ustus) P(ontifex) M(aximus) TR(ibunicia) POT(estate) XXIIII. In centre, S(enatus) C(onsulto).

The occasion of this coin, minted at Rome under the senate’s authority, was the serious illness in AD 22 of Iulia Augusta ( = Livia), Tiberius’ mother and Augustus’ widow.

Livia’s head had not appeared on Roman coins in Augustus’ time, and both Augustus and Tiberius were cautious in the honours they allowed to be paid to women of the imperial family. But there was a wave of emotion in AD 22 when the 80-year-old Augusta fell ill. The Roman equestrians vowed a shrine to Fortune-on-Horseback (equestris Fortuna) for her recovery (Tacitus Annals 3.71), and the senate decreed national prayers and a major religious festival (Annals 3.64).  There is an inscription (probably from an altar) set up by senatorial decree for Livia’s pietas (dutiful respect) in this year; it was completed by Claudius (CIL 6.562). Many senators had reason to be grateful to Livia (Cassius Dio 58.2).

Three types of dupondii were struck at the senatorial mint this year, which seem to refer to Livia and to bear her likeness, although her name is not mentioned on the coins. They celebrate Pietas, Iustitia and Salus. Salus probably refers explicitly to Livia’s health; but it may refer to the well-being of the emperor as well. It was important for the stability and continuity of government that the emperor remain in good health.

The heads on these coins of AD 22 show several differences of treatment, and none of them can be taken as a contemporary likeness of the elderly Livia. It has been suggested that they are either pure idealisations or perhaps copies of some portrait busts of Livia taken in early life. Gross (19-20) points out the realistic features of the Salus head that suggest that the head was a real portrait of Livia.

Sear, D.R., Roman Coins and their Values 5 vols (London, Spink, 2000-2014) 1740; Mattingly, H., E.A. Sydenham, C.H. Sutherland, R.A. Carson, The Roman Imperial Coinage 13 vols (London, Spink, 1923-1994) Tiberius 47; Mattingly, H.,Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, 6 vols (London, 1965) Tiberius 81; Giard, J.-P., Catalogue des Monnaies de l’Empire Romain 3 vols (Paris: Bibliothèque Nationale, 1988-1998) Tiberius 63, C5. [Rome, AD 22-3].

Gardner, P., ‘A New Portrait of Livia’, Journal of Roman Studies 12 (1922), 32-34; Giacosa, G., Ritratti di Auguste (Milan, Arte e Moneta, 1974) 24 and pl. IV.; Gross, W.H., Iulia Augusta (Göttingen 1962) pl. 2, 2 & 3; Sutherland, C.H.V., Coinage in Roman Imperial Policy, 31 BC-AD 68 (London, Methuen, 1951) 97/8 and pl. VIII. 2.