Let's face it -- we all have to eat and most of us never have to worry about starvation. That was not the case for ancient peoples, who were always a drought or plague of locusts away from starvation. As such, Roman culture assigned many goddesses and personifications to providing and protecting the food supply. These figures are feminine because fertility of any kind -- of crops, livestock, or people -- was believed to be a feminine force. The Romans depicted several such goddesses on their coins and their roles overlap to some degree. For this reason, they are often confused by modern, monotheistic people. I hope this little article helps you sort them out. Post your coins of Abundantia, Annona, Ceres, or Uberitas or anything you feel is relevant! Abundantia (εὐθένεια [Euthenia] in Greek) was a profuse giver of all things, at all times. As you might guess from the similarity of her name to the English word abundance, she personifies abundance in general, including, but not limited to, food. She is typically portrayed wearing a stola and holding a cornucopiae and corn-ears, or emptying a cornucopiae. Gallienus, AD 253-268 Roman billon Antoninianus; 2.68 g, 19.5 mm, 1 h Rome, AD 265-267 Obv: GALLIENVS AVG, radiate head, right Rev: ABVNDANTIA AVG, Abuntantia standing right, emptying cornucopiae with both hands; B in left field Refs: RIC 157K; Göbl 0574a; RCV 10164. Annona (no Greek equivalent) personifies the grain supply. As such, she is similar to Abuntantia or Ceres, and when an inscription is not specific, she can be difficult to identify. She holds grain ears and a cornucopiae, as do the other deities and personifications under discussion, but because the Roman grain supply largely arrived on ships from Egypt and in baskets called modii, the presence of a modius and nautical imagery, such as a ship's prow or anchor, are iconographic features relatively specific to Annona. Antoninus Pius, AD 138-161. Roman orichalcum sestertius, 23.11 g, 29.4 mm, 12 h. Rome, AD 142. Obv: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS III, laureate head right. Rev: ANNONA AVG S C, Annona standing right, between modius and prow, holding corn ears and out-turned cornucopiae. Refs: RIC 597; BMCRE 1228; Cohen 37; RCV 4147; UCR 502. Severus Alexander, AD 222-235. Roman AR denarius, 2.95 g, 19.4 mm, 1 h. Rome, issue 12, AD 231. Obv: IMP SEV ALEXAND AVG, laureate head, right, with drapery on left shoulder. Rev: ANNONA AVG, Annona standing left, holding corn-ears in right hand over modius at feet and holding anchor in left hand. Refs: RIC 188; BMCRE 674-76; RSC 29a; RCV 7859. Tacitus, AD 275-276. Roman billon antoninianus, 3.57 g, 22.1 mm, 12 h. Ticinum, AD 275-276, issue 2. Obv: IMP C CL TACITVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust, right. Rev: ANNONA AVGVSTI, Annona standing left, holding ears of corn over modius and cornucopiae; T (third officina) in exergue. Refs: MER/RIC temp #3647; RIC 123; Cohen --; Estiot 2149.56; RCV 11767; La Venera hoard 1673. Ceres (Greek Δημήτηρ [Demeter]), the Roman goddess of of agricultural fertility (especially of grain crops) and motherly relationships, was so important to Roman society that she was included among the Dii Consentes, Rome's equivalent to the Twelve Olympians of Greek mythology. Her name is thought to derive from the Proto-Indo-European root *ḱer-, meaning "to grow," and is related to other Latin words associated with growth, such as crēare ("to create") and crēscere ("to grow"). The cognate adjective, cereālis, literally means "of or associated with Ceres." As such, this Latin adjective also means "of wheat." It isn't too difficult to see that the English word cereal stems from Ceres and cereālis. Her attributes stem from two aspects of her mythology. As the goddess of grains, she is depicted with ears of grain, typically holding them but occasionally as a crown on her head, poppies, a cornucopiae, or the scepter of divine authority. She sometimes sits on or stands near a cista (basket). As grieving mother searching in the darkness of the underworld for her daughter Proserpina (Greek Περσεφόνη [Persephone]), she is depicted carrying a torch. Faustina I, AD 138-140/1. Roman AR denarius, 2.69 g, 18.2 mm, 7 h. Rome, AD 145 or later. Obv: DIVA FAVSTINA, bare-headed and draped bust, right. Rev: AVGVSTA, Ceres, veiled and draped, standing left, holding two corn-ears in right hand and torch in left hand. Refs: RIC 360a; BMC 408-414; Cohen/RSC 78; RCV 4582; Strack 474; CRE 76. Lucilla, AD 164-169. Roman orichalcum sestertius, 20.35 g, 28.7 mm, 11 h. Rome, AD 166-169. Obv: LVCILLA AVGVSTA, bare-headed and draped bust, right. Rev: CERES S C, Ceres, veiled and draped, seated right on cista, holding corn-ears in right hand and short torch in left hand. Refs: RIC 1728; BMCRE 1194-96; Cohen 2; RCV 5496; MIR 24. Julia Domna, AD 193-217. Roman AR denarius, 2.82 g, 20.0 mm, 6 h. Rome, AD 200. Obv: IVLIA AVGVSTA, bare-headed and draped bust right. Rev: CERERI FRVGIF, Ceres seated left, holding corn ears and torch. Refs: RIC 546; BMCRE 10; Cohen 14; RCV 6576; Hill 424. Uberitas (no Greek equivalent) personifies agricultural fertility in general. As such, she resembles Abundantia, but is more specifically concerned with agricultural abundance. She resembles Ceres and Annona, but her realm is not limited to grain crops. She holds a marsupium (a pouch or bag often made from a cow's udder) or sometimes a cluster of grapes, and a cornucopiae. Herennia Etruscilla, AD 249-253. Roman AR Antoninianus, 4.18 g, 23.2 mm, 12 h. Antioch, AD 250-251. Obv: HER ETRVSCILLA AVG, diademed and draped bust right on crescent, hair with horizontal waves and with a long plait carried up the back of the head; •• below bust. Rev: VBERITAS AVG, Uberitas standing left, holding marsupium (?) and cornucopiae. Refs: RIC 68b; RCV 9499. Trebonianus Gallus, AD 251-253. Roman AR antoninianus, 5.43 g, 20.1 mm, 6 h. Antioch, first series, AD 251-252. Obv: IMP C C VIB TREB GALLVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust, right; •••• below. Rev: VBERITAS AVG, Uberitas standing left, holding purse and cornucopiae; •••• in exergue. Refs: RIC 92; Cohen 125; RCV 9652; Hunter p. cvi; ERIC II 63.
Nice writeup, and WOW on the abundance of coins to show! Nice @Roman Collector ! ABUNDANTIA RI Gallienus 253-268 CE Ant Abundantia ANNONA (I kinda faked my way into having one of these Goddesses...) RI Fouree Denarius Severus Alexander with Annona Avg reverse CERES RI Titus 79-81 CE AR Denarius Ceres seated corn ear poppy torch UBERITAS Uh, NOPE!
Abundantia: Trajan Decius A.D. 249-251 AR Antoninianus, 4.1 grams, 23 mm Rome mint Obverse: IMP C M Q TRAJANVS DECIVS AVG, Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right Reverse: ABVND ANTIA AVG; Abundantia standing right, emptying cornucopiae held in both hands. Reference: RIC IVc 10b, p. 121 From: the Arnoldoe collection
Great write-up, thanks! - I had to google this word Ceres is one of my favorite characters on coins. RR Denarius 56 BC Obv - C·MEMMI·C·F· – QVIRINVS Laureate head of Quirinus r. Rev. MEMMIVS· AED·CERIALIA·PREIMVS·FECIT Ceres l. seated r., holding torch in l. hand and corn ear in r.; at her feet, snake. Crawford 427/2. Ceres in a biga of snakes with a plumb bob symbol.
@Roman Collector...Love the Lucilla reverse... Antoninus Pius. 138-161 AD. AE As (9.86 gm, 25.5mm). Rome mint. Struck 140-144 AD. Obverse: ANTONINVS AVG PI VS PP TRP COS III, laureate head right. Reverse: ANNONA AVG, S-C, Annona standing right, holding grain ears over modius in right hand, cornucopia in left; at feet to right, prow right. RIC III 675. VF.
HADRIAN AR Denarius OBVERSE: HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, laureate head right, drapery on left shoulder REVERSE: COS III, Abundantia standing left with hook and cornucopia; right foot on modius Struck at Rome, 125-8 AD 2.8g, 17mm RIC 169 GALLIENUS Antoninianus OBVERSE: GALLIENVS AVG, radiate head right REVERSE: ABVNDANTIA AVG, Abundantia standing right, emptying cornucopiae; B in left field Struck at Rome, Sole Reign, 257-258 AD 2.4g, 18mm RIC 157 M. VOLTEIUS M.F. ROMAN REPUBLIC; GENS VOLTEIA AR Denarius OBVERSE: Head of Bacchus or Liber right, wreathed with ivy REVERSE: Ceres holding two torches, in biga of serpents right. Symbol in left field (double headed axe) Rome 76BC 3.75g, 18mm Volteia 3; Cr385/3; Sear 314 L FURIUS CN F BROCCHUS ROMAN REPUBLIC; GENS FURIA AR Denarius OBVERSE: Bust of Ceres right between wheat-ear and barley-corn; III VIR across field, BROCCHI below REVERSE: Curule chair between fasces; L. FVRI/CN. F above Rome 63 BC 3.9g, 20mm Cr414/1; Furia 23 VESPASIAN AR Denarius OBVERSE: CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head right REVERSE: ANNONA AVG, Annona seated left holding bundle of corn ears in her lap Struck at Rome, 77/8AD 3.1g, 18mm RIC 964 ANTONIUS PIUS AR Denarius OBVERSE: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P IMP II, laureate head right REVERSE: TR POT XIX COS IIII, Annona standing left with corn ears & modius set on prow Struck at Rome 155/6AD 3.1g, 17mm RIC 249, C 983
Good write up @Roman Collector. For me the deities seem to overlap indeed, I wonder if this was true for the ordinary Roman citizen too.
Thanks for the insightful write-up! I have often wondered about the exact difference between Annona, Abundantia, and Uberitas, and your post brought some clarity concerning this issue. Here are some of mine: Annona with different attributes (grain ears, prow, cornucopia, modius): Vespasian, Roman Empire, denarius, 77/78 AD, Rome mint. Obv: CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head of Vespasian right. Rev; ANNONA AVG, Annona seated left, holding grain ears. 19mm, 3.33g. Ref: RIC II Vespasian 964. Antoninus Pius, Roman Empire, denarius, 155–156 AD, Rome mint. Obv: [ANTO]NINVS AVG PIVS PP [IMP II], head of Antoninus Pius, laureate, r. Rev: TR POT XIX [CO]S III, Annona standing l., holding corn ears, resting l. hand on modius standing on prow with rudder leaning on it. 18mm, 3.27g. Ref: RIC III Antoninus Pius 249. Septimius Severus, Roman Empire, denarius, 197–198 AD, Rome mint. Obv: L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP X, laureate head of Septimius Severus r. Rev: ANNONAE AVG, Annona standing l., holding grain ears and cornucopia, foot on prow. 17mm, 2.61g. Ref: RIC IV.1 Septimius Severus 107. Ceres on a nice agriculturally themed Republican denarius and on a less spectacular Imperial coin: Roman Republic, moneyer: C. Marius C. f. Capito, AR denarius serratus, 81 BC, Rome mint. Obv: CAPIT; head of Ceres, diademed, r., control number CV; control mark (whip?) before. Rev: C. MARI. C. F. / S. C; ploughman with two oxen l.; above, control number CV. 18mm, 3.88g. Ref: RRC 378/1c. Ex Numismatik Naumann, Auktion 49, lot 518. Faustina I; Roman Empire, denarius, 141 AD, Rome mint. Obv: DIVA FAVSTINA; draped bust of Faustina I r. Rev: AVGVSTA; Ceres standing r., holding sceptre and grain ears. 18mm, 2.99g. Ref: RIC III Antoninus Pius 358. Ex Ken Dorney, Auction 8, lot 282.
Here's a somewhat rare denarius of Otho who it seems, is trying to solidify his new position as Emperor by letting the people know all is right with the food supply: Otho (Augustus) Coin: Silver Denarius IMP OTHO CAESAR AVG TR P - Bare head right. PONT MAX - Ceres standing left, holding grain ears and long cornucopia. Mint: Rome (69 AD) Wt./Size/Axis: 2.51g / 19mm / 6h Rarity: Very Rare References: RIC I 20 (an aureus) BMC 9 C. 11 RSC 11 BN 25 Provenances: numismatic lance Numismatik Lanz Munchen Acquisition/Sale: numismatic lance eBay $0.00 11/19 Notes: Nov 21, 19 - The Gary R. Wilson Collection Struck 9 March-mid April 69 AD-note; Muona Group 3, Type 12B
Thanks for this thread RC. Very interesting specimen posted + you made me rediscover a coin I was suppose to soak and finish cleaning...2-3 years ago ! Marcus Aurelius Sestertius Annona holding grain ears over modius & cornucopiae 30mm 22.74g
A Ceres, a couple of Annonas, and an Uberitas: Diva Faustina I (wife of Antoninus Pius) AR Denarius, Obv: Draped bust right, DIVA AVG FAVSTINA / Rev: Ceres standing left, with torch, holding right hand up in greeting, CONSECRATIO. RIC III 382b, RSC II 165a, Sear RCV II 4593. 17 mm., 3.3 g. Titus Caesar AR Denarius 77-79 AD, Obv.: Laureate bust right, T CAESAR VESPASIANVS / Rev. Annona seated left, leaning elbow on seat and raising drapery, ANNONA AVG. RIC II-1 972V (2007 ed.), old RIC II 218 (1926 ed.), RSC II 17 (ill.), Sear RCV I - 2436 (ill.), BMCRE 319. 18.55 mm., 3.01 g. Philip I AR Antoninianus, 246 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. Radiate, draped, & cuirassed bust right, IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG/ Rev. Annona standing left, holding grain ears over modius & cornucopiae, ANNONA AVGG. RIC IV-3 28c, RSC IV 25. 23 mm., 3.8 g. Trajan Decius AR Antoninianus, Obv. Radiate bust right, draped and cuirassed, IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG/ Rev. Uberitas stdg. left, holding purse and cornucopiae, VBERITAS AVG. RIC IV-3 28b, RSC IV105, Sear RCV III 9384. 23 mm., 4.9 g.
