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Tetradrachm (Coin) Portraying Emperor Tiberius

14-37

Roman; minted in Alexandria, Egypt

Egypt

The front (obverse) of this coin portrayys the head of Emperor Tiberius, facing right, laureate. The back (reverse) portrays the radiate head of Augustus, also facing right.

In 4 CE, Tiberius was adopted by Emperor Augustus as his son. When Augustus died in 14, he was succeeded by Tiberius. Incluing imagery of the divine Augustus, the first emperor of the Roman Empire, helped Tiberius to advertise his inherited right to rule, as Augustus’s heir.

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Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium