When the Emperor Calls.....

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Eduard, Nov 2, 2016.

  1. Eduard

    Eduard Supporter**

    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.

    IMG_1812_opt.jpg IMG_1816_opt.jpg IMG_5798_opt.jpg IMG_5791_opt.jpg
     
    old49er, Jwt708, randygeki and 23 others like this.
  2. Avatar

    Guest User Guest



    to hide this ad.
  3. Eduard

    Eduard Supporter**

    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

    IMG_5873_opt.jpg IMG_5876_opt.jpg IMG_5823_opt.jpg IMG_5833_opt.jpg
     
    Last edited: Nov 2, 2016
    Jwt708, randygeki, dlhill132 and 14 others like this.
  4. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    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.
     
    Eduard likes this.
  5. zumbly

    zumbly Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana

    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:

    upload_2016-11-2_15-42-28.png
    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.
     
    Last edited: Nov 2, 2016
  6. Eduard

    Eduard Supporter**

    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:

    IMG_5850_opt.jpg IMG_5852_opt.jpg IMG_5842 (1)_opt.jpg IMG_5784_opt.jpg
     
    Last edited: Nov 2, 2016
    Jwt708, randygeki, dlhill132 and 17 others like this.
  7. Eduard

    Eduard Supporter**

    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:

    IMG_5096_opt.jpg IMG_5103_opt.jpg
     
    Jwt708, randygeki, dlhill132 and 14 others like this.
  8. TIF

    TIF Always learning.

    Eduard & Zumbly, those are all fantastic coins! The largesse depictions are among my favorite types yet I have none :(. One of these days!
     
    Mikey Zee, Eduard and zumbly like this.
  9. Eduard

    Eduard Supporter**

    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!
     
  10. Sallent

    Sallent Live long and prosper

    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.
     
  11. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    @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 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
    RR Porcius Laeca 125 BCE AR Den Roma Libertas Quad S 146 Cr 270-1 Obv-Rev.jpg
     
    randygeki, dlhill132, TIF and 8 others like this.
  12. Mikey Zee

    Mikey Zee Delenda Est Carthago

    Wonderful examples that I still seem to be missing....
     
  13. chrsmat71

    chrsmat71 I LIKE TURTLES!

    Also missing examples of the type...but they are fantastic.
     
  14. Eduard

    Eduard Supporter**

    @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.
     
    Mikey Zee, TIF and Alegandron like this.
  15. randygeki

    randygeki Coin Collector

  16. PMONNEY

    PMONNEY Flaminivs

    Very nice coins, liberalitas ought to be also practiced by modern presidents !
     
  17. chrisild

    chrisild Coin Collector

    Welcome to Coin Talk! Let's not get into politics here ... ;)
     
  18. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    Welcome @Pierre R. Monney
     
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page