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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Terence Cheesman, post: 6731619, member: 86498&quot;]The question asked is an important one and probably the simplest answer would be; we really do not know. I can speculate and thus we can determine that there are&nbsp; three most likely groups that would influence the designs on coins</p><p>1. The emperor either alone or in concert with a circle of his close advisors</p><p>2. A senior official acting more or less independently of the emperor though he has his complete confidence</p><p>3. The mint administration itself.</p><p>During the Julio Claudian dynasty we can clearly see that each administration handles their coin propaganda very differently.&nbsp; Augustus has a very interesting coinage in precious metal though his aes not so much. With Tiberius you get this..</p><p>Tiberius Ar Denarius 15-18 AD Obv Head right laureate Rv Pax seated right. RIC 26 3.74 grms 18 mm Photo by W. Hansen[ATTACH=full]1271171[/ATTACH]With only minor variation this type continues until his death in 37 AD. However if his precious metal coinage lacks inspiration his aes is quite interesting. Caius starts off with a very interesting and well thought out coinage but it become frozen and does not change much. Claudius appears to follow the pattern set by Caius, however Nero appears to have an interesting initial coinage followed by a rather dull group until 64 AD when his coins become quite innovative. I guess the most likely scenario would be that the way the coinage is dealt with would most likely depend on the emperor. Augustus seems to have an interest in his gold and silver whereas Tiberius does not. Tiberius appears to show a greater interest in his aes but Sutherland suggests that that is the work of Aelius Sejanus. Caius had an initial interest in his coins but lost interest afterwards and Nero had little interest until just before the great fire.</p><p>&nbsp; We can speculate as to the level of imperial involvement but we really cannot know for sure. Nor is it certain that there is a one size fits all solution. Thus we are left with questions posed by coins like this one.</p><p>Otacila Severa Ae sestertius 248 AD Obv. bust right diademed and draped Rv. Hippopotamus advancing right mouth agape. RIC 200 16.54 grms 27 mm Photo by W. Hansen[ATTACH=full]1271195[/ATTACH] So why did she get the hippo? Was she overweight (underweight) bad tempered, has some otherwise unknown connection to Egypt. Or are we dealing with a scenario that went like this Celator 1. Finished this die , looks pretty good. Celator 2 Okay need an obverse who is available? Celator 3 The empress Otacila. Celator 2 Okay use it. ( Did he later become cat food?) Please note we have no idea of what Romans thought of hippos&#039;s[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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