Lot 2113

Description

Tiberius, (A.D. 14-37), AE sestertius, Rome mint, issued A.D. 22, (26.76 grams), obv. Tiberius seated to left, foot on stool to right holding patera, holding long sceptre, around CIVITATIBVS ASIAE RESTITVTIS, rev. S C in centre legend around, TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVST PM TR POT XXIIII, (S.569, RIC 48, C.3, BMC 70). Lightly tooled in field, with legends and seated Tiberius in high relief, an exceptional coin with dark red-brown patina, good very fine and rare.

Ex. Glamis Castle Collection, Glendinings July 4, 1974 (lot 139). $$ The issue records the munificence of the emperor, who had caused to be re-built, at his own expense, certain cities in Asia Minor, which in one night had been ruined by an earthquake (A.D. 17). The Senate, grateful for a benefit, thus bestowed on this important province raised a statue in his honour from which this coin was engraved. Tacitus records that twelve cities suffered severely from this earthquake and were re-built by Tiberius. These cities included Sardis, Magnesia, Aegea, Myrina, Cyme, etc. There is an extensive account on this coin in Stevenson `Dictionary of Roman Coins'.