I see a lot of coins where the name of the ruler doesn't appear on the coin at all, and yet it is attributed as "X Ruler as Y". 1. An example of Livia as Pietas (not my coin): 2. Caesonia as Salus: What is the reason for thinking that these rulers are actually depicted on the coin? I've been reluctant to buy these types of coins (the coin representing Livia in my collection is a provincial coin bearing her name IVLIA AVGVSTA), because I'm uncertain whether these actually belong in the portrait series of rulers collection. Thoughts?
Of the three "Livia" types, your posted type is the only one I'm lacking. I recall that question was brought up a while ago around when I scored my Livia as Salus. It seems we know that two are Livia and one is up for debate as a aunt or cousin of Tiberius. They all appear to be the same woman to me. As well, they have the same style, reverse and appear to be a set. It's hard for me not to see them as a cool sub collection of Livia. But I hope somebody whoes more in the know... or at least has a better memory than, I chimes in. Here are my two beauties whom both got the own thread treatment: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/lo...beauty-is-no-black-widow.357832/#post-4310798 https://www.cointalk.com/threads/oh...he-mother-of-the-country.369095/#post-4976621 Ps, I believe the Caligula having Caesonia is probably wishful thinking. But it's much harder to know what was going on in all the various provences.
I think that the identity of Tiberius' SALVS as Livia is a bit more widely accepted Compare the shape of the head to known provincials of Livia Drusus' PIETAS I think is a little more controversial- I have heard arguments for Livia and his mother Vipsania or wife Livilla- IMO the shape of the nose and especially the jawline indicates a different person- whether real or imaginary, who can say? As for Caesonia, yeah it's a 50/50 shot whether it's actually her, but given that the only coins that bear her name are like R4 rare, SAL AVG is the best most of us will have For what it's worth, in the 1st century it was an established trend to depict empresses "as" a goddess - My well-loved example doesn't show it very well, but this issue of Pergamon for Livia and Julia presents them as Livia, Hera and Julia, Aphrodite
I subscribe to the Vipsania, mother of Drusus, theory on the PIETAS coin of that series. I find @Jasper Burns' article convincing (The Celator. 2004 May;18(5):6 and reprinted online). Tiberius, AD 14-37. Roman orichalcum Dupondius, 14.32 g, 29.15 mm, 1 h. Rome, AD 22/23. Obv: PIETAS, veiled, diademed and draped bust of (Vipsania? as) Pietas, right. Rev: DRVSVS CAESAR TI AVGVSTI F TR POT ITER around large SC. Refs: RIC Tiberius 43; BMCRE Tiberius 98; CBN Tiberius 74; Cohen 1; RCV 1741.
This Pietas comes from the restoration of the type under Titus. By that time, I suspect rather few people remembered Livilla or whichever of the options you prefer.
Tiberius Ae Dupondius 21-22 AD Obv Bust of Justitia (Livia?) draped and diademed right Rv. S. C within inscription RIC 46 Harvey 3.4 This obverse illustrated 12.66 grms 30 mm Photo by W. Hansen There has been a long standing tradition that the issue of dupondii minted in 21-22 AD are images of the imperial women living at the time. The problem that we have is is that there is no concrete evidence that the images are anything more than images of goddesses. However as the notion that the images are of Livia is very strong and well rooted.
This is my Spanish Colonia Romula issue of Livia : Obverse: PERM DIVI AVG COL ROM, Augustus radiate head right, star above, thunderbolt right Reverse: : IVLIA AVGVSTA GENETRIX ORBIS, Livia head left on globe, crescent above. Reference: RPC I 73
