Silver denarius of Antoninus Pius (AD 138–161), struck at the Rome mint between AD 145–161, belongs to a group of issues referring to official donatives and monetary distributions carried out by the emperor as part of his policy of public benefaction.
The obverse presents a laureate head of the emperor facing right with the legend ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P, reflecting his official titulature, including the title Pater Patriae.
The reverse depicts Liberalitas standing left, holding an abacus (counting board or distribution tablet) and a cornucopia, with the legend TR POT COS IIII and, in the exergue, LIB IIII. The personification of Liberalitas symbolized the emperor’s generosity toward the Roman people, while the inscription LIB IIII refers to the fourth public distribution (liberalitas) carried out during his reign. The abacus is a characteristic attribute of this figure and is directly associated with the act of measuring and distributing money or gifts.
Roman Imperial
Antoninus Pius (138-161), Denarius 146-161, Rome mint
Obverse: laureate head of Antoninus Pius right
ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P
Reverse: Liberalitas standing left, holding abacus and cornucopiae, LIB IIII in exergue
TR POT COS IIII
Diameter 18 mm, weight 3.18 g
