Romanatic -

Kommentare

	Simon Wieland	19:23:37, 08.02.2009
Note by Numismatica Ars Classica: Nearing the end of his life, the great Augustus must have felt betrayed by the gods, as all six of his potential heirs had expired or proved incapable of succeeding him. Though his only remaining grandson, Agrippa Postumus, theoretically could have been recalled from exile, it did not happen, and the great Augustus was succeeded by his dour stepson Tiberius. This aureus, struck in the last months of Augustus’ life, seems a clear indication that Rome’s first emperor had conceded – however reluctantly – to Tiberius’ succession. The obverse bears the portrait of Augustus, just as one would expect, but the reverse is dedicated entirely to Tiberius, who is shown in a four-horse chariot celebrating the 15th renewal of his tribunician power. Never terribly imaginative with his precious metal coinage, Tiberius retained this quadriga scene as his aureus and denarius reverse type for the first three years of his reign. When he eventually replaced the quadriga type, he did so with another late Augustan type depicting his mother Livia in the guise of Pax.