In ancient Rome...two things may happen. You may either get lucky, and get a few coins tossed your way in one of the emperor's Congiariae or Liberalitas. The were festive occasions when the emperor showed his Largesse to the people by gifting bread, or more often coins to the citizens, (or sometimes only a handshake) such as shown in these coins. Hadrian, Denarius , Rome, Liberalitas III (Hadrian's third largesse): Hadrian, Sestertius, Rome, Liberalitas AVG.
A similar scene of Largesse, this time by Antoninus Pius, and also by Commodus who had a habit of thrown away money to the roman folk to make them forget just how bad a ruler he was. On such scenes the emperor is often seen accompanied by the figure of Liberalitas, as well a an officer or official. Antoninus Pius, Sestertius, Rome, Liberalitas Commodus, Sestertius, Rome, Liberalitas
The largely positive reputation of such 'good' emperors survived down to the Renaissance, perhaps rightly so. Handsome coins that are miniature reminders of how generous an emperor could be.
Really nice coins, Eduard. I really like this reverse type. The Hadrian denarius with the emperor stingily tossing a single coin to the citizen made me chuckle . My Marcus Aurelius to go with your A-Pi and Commodus: MARCUS AURELIUS AE Sestertius. 24.3g, 31mm. Rome mint, December AD 176 - Autumn 177. RIC 1208; Cohen 424. O: M ANTONINVS AVG - GERM SARM TR P XXXI, laureate head right. R: [IMP VIII - COS III] P P, Marcus Aurelius and Commodus seated left on platform; behind, stands officer; before, Liberalitas standing with counting board and cornucopiae; citizen mounting steps; in field, S-C; in exergue, LIBERALITAS / [AVG] VII.
Sometimes of course, as was prone to happen during the reigns of Trajan and Hadrian, you may get called to see the emperor not to get any gifts, but to get your marching orders instead.... Trajan sestertii, the emperor talking to his troops:
And yet other times, there was no platform to accommodate the emperor and his officials, so he had to give his pep-talk from the saddle of his horse:
Eduard & Zumbly, those are all fantastic coins! The largesse depictions are among my favorite types yet I have none . One of these days!
Thanks, guys, and thanks Zumbly for posting your Marcus Aurelius. It is a nice coin, as yet missing from my collection. Like David, I also find these miniature depictions of life in Rome fascinating. So, please post any Liberalitas, Congiarum, or any related coins you may have. Would love to see them!
If I had been a Roman Emperor the back of my coins would say DVRI AVG or Augustus' stinginess, and feature me hugging a bag of coins. No way them peasants are touching my precious coins.
@Eduard , I have really enjoyed your posts and contributions since you have "returned" to CT! Thank you. If I may indulge... I have no Largess, Liberalitas, Congiarum type coins. Although the concept of Liberalitas shows the benevolence of an Emperor - a single dictating Ruler; I have always enjoyed the concept of a Republic and the earlier periods of Rome. I wonder if Liberalitas is a further derivative of LIBERTAS or Liberty of the People - a concept of not being under ONE Rule. Oh, and I agree. The later Republic devolved into de facto Emperors / Dictators during the Imperatorial Period, etc... Just offering a different slant on your concept, and your awesome coins! RR Egnatius Maxsumus 76 BCE Libertas Roma Venus Wolf Head S 326 Cr 391-3 Obv-Rev.jpg RR Porcius Laeca 125 BCE AR Den Roma Libertas Quad S 146 Cr 270-1 Obv-Rev.jpg
@Alegandron, thank you for posting your examples of LIBERTAS denarii, (and for your kind words). I too really enjoy your posts, and the opportunity to learn something new about the Republic (being an 'Imperial' guy like I am). Inspired by your thoughts I looked a bit into the origin of the word LIBERALITAS . It would seem that the word originates from LIBER (or free), and is interpreted as meaning 'Free-Giving' or generosity. Thanks chrsmat71, Mikey Zee, TIF, and Sallent for your comments.