Divo Augusto Elephant Quadriga S.P.Q.R. sestertii were issued by Tiberius as follows: BMCRE Vol. I, Tiberius, 102, TR POT XXXVI, AD 34-35 (RIC Vol. I, 56) BMCRE Vol. I, Tiberius, 108, TR POT XXXVII, AD 35-36 (RIC Vol. I, 62) BMCRE Vol. I, Tiberius, 125, TR POT XXXIIX, AD 36-37 (RIC Vol. I, 68) The Depictions and Inscriptions were the same for each issue except for the TR POT date. The TR POT date for BMCRE 125 (RIC 68) is unusual in that it is rendered as a subtractive: XXX (thirty) X minus II (eight) = XXXIIX, instead of the usual XXXVIII. All three issues are cataloged differently by BMCRE versus RIC, WILDWINDS, SEAR and most auction houses & coin dealers, as detailed below. RIC Volume I, Tiberius 68, sestertius as cataloged by RIC, WILDWINDS, SEAR and most auction houses & coin dealers: Sestertius, RIC, Vol. I, Tiberius, No. 68, AD 36-37 (35mm, 22.6gm) Cataloged in Wildwinds under Augustus - Sear 1784 Coin obverse depiction: Augustus, radiate, togate, holding laurel branch in r. hand and long sceptre in l., seated on throne, placed on a car, drawn l. by four elephants, each bearing a mahout on its neck. The side of the car is ornamented with shields (?) Inscription across top in three lines DIVO AVGVSTO SPQR Coin reverse depiction: Large, centered S C Inscription clockwise from top: TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVST PM TR POT XXXIIX BMCRE Volume I, Tiberius 125, sestertius: Sestertius, BMCRE, Vol. I, No. 125, AD 36-37 (35mm, 22.6gm) Coin obverse depiction: Large, centered S C Inscription clockwise from top: TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVST PM TR POT XXXIIX Coin reverse depiction: Augustus, radiate, togate, holding laurel branch in r. hand and long sceptre in l., seated on throne, placed on a car, drawn l. by four elephants, each bearing a mahout on its neck. The side of the car is ornamented with shields (?) Inscription across top in three lines DIVO AVGVSTO SPQR Note the above obverse and reverse designations as depicted in the following BMCRE Volume I PDF extract (same for all three issues). Mattingly justified his obverse designation based on the very large SC and the Imperial titulature. The BMCRE reference plates reflect these designations. BMCRE VOLUME I PDF EXTRACT
The thread title is a come-on intended to entice members of the Forum to partipate in this thread - sorry for the subterfuge. I think just about every collector these days recognizes and uses the RIC obverse and reverse designations for these coins - I do. But it is interesting that Mattingly, surely one of the most meticulous and respected researchers and catalogers of Roman Imperial coins, uses the obverse and reverse designations that he does for the British Museum coins. And please excuse the poor condition of the coin I posted - It is the best example of that issue I have been able to find.
Here is his argument; which, though I understand his point, do not find strong enough to follow his arrangement. "It seems more logical to consider this side as obverse than as reverse, combining as it does the references to emperor and senate or moneyer and senate..."
