Antoninus Pius (AD 138-161). AV aureus (20mm, 7.20 gm, 5h). NGC MS 5/5 - 3/5, scratch. Rome, AD 147-148. ANTONINVS-AVG PIVS P P TR P XI, laureate bust of Antoninus Pius right, seen from behind, drapery on left shoulder / CO-S-I-I-II, Liberalitas standing facing, head left, coin counter upward in right hand, cornucopia cradled in left arm; LIB-V across fields. RIC III 169c. Calicó 1578. Solidly struck on bright, lustrous flan. Ex Collection of GK, Ukrainian Emigrant (Roma Numismatics, Auction XXI, 24 March 2021), lot 620; Maison Palombo, Auction 15 (22 October 2016), lot 51 Liberalitas was the personification of generosity, particularly of the imperial kind. Her image is often used in conjunction with the regular distributions of cash and food to the Roman populace, and she is usually shown holding a cornucopia and an object sometimes described as an abacus. This is most probably a special shovel or scoop with slots cut into it, so that a specified number of coins would be delivered to each citizen.

HID09801242017

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