Bronze As of Augustus by Tiberius RIC 81

Augustus
Bronze AS struck under Tiberius AD 22-30

Obverse: DIVVS AVGVSVTS PATER Barehead left

Reverse: PROVIDENT SC Large altar with SC in field

RIC-0081 (TIB) 25mm 7.7g
Uncleaned Coin Find

This specific coin is a bronze As (a common, everyday Roman coin value) issued under the authority of Rome’s second emperor, Tiberius, to honor his predecessor and adoptive father, Augustus.

It’s an incredible piece of political propaganda from around AD 22–30, and its historical context boils down to a mix of family drama, religious makeover, and a brand-new emperor trying to secure his job!

The Front (Obverse): Making a God out of Dad

The front features the portrait of Augustus with the words DIVVS AVGVSTVS PATER ("Divine Augustus, the Father").

• The Backstory: When Augustus died in AD 14, he was officially deified (turned into a god) by the Roman Senate.
• The Imperial PR Move: Tiberius was Augustus’s stepson and adopted heir, but he wasn't overly popular with the regular Roman folks or the Senate. By minting coins calling Augustus a god and emphasizing that he was Augustus's son, Tiberius was subtly telling everyone: "Hey, look at my dad! If you respect him, you have to respect me. My right to rule comes from a god."

The Back (Reverse): The Altar of Foresight

The back shows a large enclosure altar with the letters S C (Senatus Consulto—meaning it was officially approved by the Senate) and the word PROVIDENT (Providence/Foresight).

• The Altar: This likely depicts the famous Ara Providentiae Augustae (Altar of Augustan Providence) in Rome.
• The Divine Plan: "Providentia" was the Roman concept of divine foresight and planning. In this historical context, Tiberius was celebrating Augustus’s incredible foresight in setting up the Principate (the imperial system) and, most importantly, picking Tiberius to keep the peace and run the empire after he was gone. It was a visual way of saying the continuation of the empire was part of a divine, orderly plan, rather than a military takeover.

Why the Timing Matters (AD 22–30)

This coin wasn't minted right when Augustus died; it was struck years later. During the 20s AD, Tiberius was increasingly stressed, facing political plots in Rome and the tragic death of his own son and intended heir, Drusus, in AD 23. Disillusioned with city life, Tiberius actually abandoned Rome entirely in AD 26 to live in isolation on the island of Capri, leaving a ruthless advisor named Sejanus in charge of the capital.

Striking these coins during such a turbulent, unstable decade was an intentional effort to remind the public of the stability, safety, and divine backing of the Julio-Claudian family line. It was a plea for calm and a stamp of legitimacy during a very shaky era of Roman history!