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Tiberius. AD 14-37. Æ Dupondius (30mm, 16.87 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 16-22. TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVST IMP VIII, laureate head left / CLEMENTIAE above, S C across field, small bust of Tiberius within laurel wreath, the whole in the center of a large shield with palmettes and raised petals. RIC I 38; Sutherland, Two 1 (dies A7/P13); BMCRE 85-9; BN 125-7. Brown patina, minor corrosion. EF. Rare.
From the PLZ Collection, purchased from Antiqua. Ex Berlin Surgeon Collection (Part II, Hirsch 279, 8 February 2012), lot 2279; Auctiones AG 23 (17 June 1993), lot 480.
Struck early in the reign of Tiberius, this Dupondius is one of those few coins that show a portrait of the emperor on both sides – in profile on the obverse and a smaller facing effigy on the reverse. The CLEMENTIA legend on the reverse is speculated by some to indicate that the senate granted him the Clipeus Clementiae (“shield of clemency”), which would have been in the form of a circular shield with a raised boss, as shown here. If this is true, it would demonstrate a markedly different relationship between Tiberius and the Senate at the start his reign, compared to the treason trials he held toward the end.
With respect to the coin offered here, it is at the very top end of survivors for this difficult issue. Like most Roman middle bronzes from this period, the coins saw heavy circulation and are only rarely found in the condition seen on this example.
The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 132 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 18-19 May 2026.
CNG Feature Auction 132 – Session One – Lot 1-318 will be held Monday morning, 18 May 2026 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.
Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.
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