Tiberius AE Sestertius (Portrait/Altar of Lugdunum, RIC I 240)

TIBERIUS, AD 14-37
AE Sestertius (36.43mm, 22.06g, 6h)
Struck under Augustus, AD 10-11. Lugdunum mint
Obverse: TI CAESAR AVGVSTI F IMPERATOR V, bare head of Tiberius left
Reverse: ROM ET AVG, the great Altar of Roma and Augustus at Lugdunum, flanked by columns surmounted by statues of Victory right and left, the altar ornamented with row of uncertain objects along the top and three wreaths on the front panel
References: RIC I 240 (R2), RCV 1753

A very rare portrait sestertius of Tiberius. Toned orichalcum with corroded surfaces.
From the Julius Germanicus Collection.

"This sestertius was issued from the great imperial mint of Lugdunum, in Gaul, during the closing years of the reign of Augustus. It depicts Tiberius in his early 50s and the obverse inscription records his fifth imperatorial acclamation. The reverse shows the Altar of Lugdunum, dedicated by Augustus on August 1, 10 BC, and the invariable design for the aes coinage of this mint. This series was issued in the names of both Augustus and Tiberius and in a range of denominations, from the sestertius down to the semis. The sestertii are of considerable rarity and are generally found in a very worn state of preservation."

- David R. Sear, COA historical & numismatic notes

Colección : Roman Imperial - the Julio-Claudians