Julia Augusta (Livia). Augusta, AD 14-29. Æ Sestertius (35mm, 27.93 g, 8h). Rome mint. Struck under Tiberius, AD 22-23.

Electronic Auction 460
Lot: 496. Estimated: $ 1 500

The Summer Haven Collection of Sestertii, Bronze

Sold For $ 3 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Julia Augusta (Livia). Augusta, AD 14-29. Æ Sestertius (35mm, 27.93 g, 8h). Rome mint. Struck under Tiberius, AD 22-23. Ornamented carpentum drawn right by two mules / Legend around large S • C. RIC I 51 (Tiberius). Pleasing light brown river patina, a few flan flaws. VF. Appealing for type.

From the Summer Haven collection. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 46 (2 April 2008), lot 966 (hammer CHF 1800).

In the will of Augustus, his widow Livia Drusilla was formally adopted into the Julii family and given the name Julia Augusta. Her machinations had ensured that her son by a previous marriage, Tiberius, succeeded to the throne. Once installed in power, Tiberius grew weary of his mother’s meddling presence and showed her few preferments. However, she was still treated with reverence by the Senate and general populace. In AD 22 the elderly Augusta fell desperately ill, prompting public prayers for her health. Her recovery was greeted by a decree of thanks from the Senate, which issued this sestertius in her name. The decorated covered carriage, or carpentum, depicted on the obverse was possibly the one she used for travel in the city, highborn matrons being the only ones allowed to use this conveyance. Alternatively, it could have been used in the religious rites of thanksgiving.

Closing Date and Time: 29 January 2020 at 12:45:00 ET.

All winning bids are subject to an 18% buyer’s fee.