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Roma, dupondio, Tiberio e il tempio circolare
17.12.2022
Buongiorno,
Vorrei, per cortesia, avere informazioni riguardanti questa moneta che abbiamo in famiglia da tantissimi anni.
14 g
3 cm.
fig. 1
Cliccare sulle immagini per ingrandire
Roma, 22.12.2022
Egregio Lettore,
di seguito riporto gli elementi significativi riguardanti la moneta di figura:

Dupondio1, zecca di Roma, 22-23 d. C., RIC I 74 (pag. 99), BMC I 142 (pag. 140), Cohen I 251 (pag. 98), indice di rarità "S"

Descrizione sommaria:
D. DIVVS AVGVSTVS PATER2. Augusto, testa radiata a sinistra.
R. Al centro, tempio esastilo3 con tetto a punta sormontato da una figura in piedi, fiancheggiato da piedistalli che sorreggono una vacca (a sinistra) e un agnello (a destra). S C4 a sinistra e a destra in alto nel campo.

La ricerca nel web di monete della tipologia di figura ha dato luogo ai seguenti risultati:

  1. https://www.biddr.com/auctions/nac/browse?a=1708&l=1847934 Spring Sale 2021 Lotto 1184 Roman Empire. Octavian as Augustus, 27 BC – 14 AD. Divus Augustus. Dupondius Descrizione Roman Empire. Octavian as Augustus, 27 BC – 14 AD. Divus Augustus. Dupondius circa 22-23, Æ 17.10 g. DIVVS·AVGVSTVS·PATER Radiate head of Augustus l. Rev. S – C Hexastyle temple with sharply domed roof surmounted by standing figure and flanked by columns bearing calf on l. and lamb on r. C 251. BMC Tiberius 142. RIC Tiberius 74. CBN Tiberius 146. Very rare and an issue of great interest and fascination. Dark green patina and very fine. This rare dupondius advertises the legitimacy of Tiberius (and indirectly that of his son Drusus) and the continuity of the Julio-Claudian dynasty by appealing to the memory of Tiberius' stepfather, the divine Augustus. Here the divinity of Augustus is visually underlined by the use of a radiate crown on his portrait rather than the laurel wreath that he commonly wore during his lifetime. The crown also serves as a denomination marker to distinguish the brass dupondius from the similarly-sized copper as in the reformed Roman aes system introduced in 23 B.C. The coin illustrates the descent of Tiberius' right to rule from his deified stepfather and to Drusus, with whom Tiberius shared his tribunician power (tribunicia potestas) in A.D. 22, as well as the emperor's expected pietas towards Augustus (identified as father – PATER – in the legend). Unfortunately, the pattern of continuity from (step)father to son was tragically broken shortly after this coin was issued when Drusus mysteriously died – probably the victim of a poisoning plot by Tiberius' ambitious praetorian prefect, Sejanus. The identity of the unlabeled temple on the reverse of the coin is somewhat controversial. Its round form has led come commentators to declare the type a depiction of a temple of Vesta – either the famous temple in the Forum or the small shrine erected by Augustus next to his house on the Palatine Hill. The latter possibility may be supported by the presence of the Palladium on the roof. On the other hand, considering the obverse type and the calf and lamb flanking the temple, it has also been argued that the temple must honour the divine Augustus. A calf and a lamb were standard sacrificial animals during ceremonies worshiping a deified emperor. Risultato 3'750 CHF 21 offerte. Prezzo iniziale 400CHF
    Stima 500 CHF.
  2. https://www.biddr.com/auctions/nac/browse?a=186&l=166053 Auctions 101-102 Lotto 92 Octavian as Augustus, 27 BC – 14 AD. Divus Augustus. Dupondius circa 22-23, Æ 16 Descrizione Octavian as Augustus, 27 BC – 14 AD. Divus Augustus. Dupondius circa 22-23, Æ 16.14g. DIVVS·AVGVSTVS·PATER Radiate head of Augustus l. Rev. S – C Hexastyle temple with sharply domed roof surmounted by standing figure and flanked by columns bearing calf on l. and lamb on r. C 251. BMC Tiberius 142. RIC Tiberius 74. CBN Tiberius 146. Very rare and an issue of great interest and fascination. Dark green patina. somewhat smoothed, otherwise extremely fine / about extremely fine. Ex Lanz sale 109, 2002, 287. This rare dupondius advertises the legitimacy of Tiberius (and indirectly that of his son Drusus) and the continuity of the Julio-Claudian dynasty by appealing to the memory of Tiberius' stepfather, the divine Augustus. Here the divinity of Augustus is visually underlined by the use of a radiate crown on his portrait rather than the laurel wreath that he commonly wore during his lifetime. The crown also serves as a denomination marker to distinguish the brass dupondius from the similarly-sized copper as in the reformed Roman aes system introduced in 23 B.C. The coin illustrates the descent of Tiberius' right to rule from his deified stepfather and to Drusus, with whom Tiberius shared his tribunician power (tribunicia potestas) in A.D. 22, as well as the emperor's expected pietas towards Augustus (identified as father – PATER – in the legend). Unfortunately, the pattern of continuity from (step)father to son was tragically broken shortly after this coin was issued when Drusus mysteriously died – probably the victim of a poisoning plot by Tiberius' ambitious praetorian prefect, Sejanus. The identity of the unlabeled temple on the reverse of the coin is somewhat controversial. Its round form has led come commentators to declare the type a depiction of a temple of Vesta – either the famous temple in the Forum or the small shrine erected by Augustus next to his house on the Palatine Hill. The latter possibility may be supported by the presence of the Palladium on the roof. On the other hand, considering the obverse type and the calf and lamb flanking the temple, it has also been argued that the temple must honour the divine Augustus. A calf and a lamb were standard sacrificial animals during ceremonies worshiping a deified emperor. Risultato 5'500 CHF. Prezzo iniziale 4'800 CHF. Stima 6'000 CHF. L’asta è terminata.
  3. https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=53745 Sale: CNG 67, Lot: 1264. Estimate $600. Closing Date: Wednesday, 22 September 2004. Sold For $950. DIVUS AUGUSTUS. Died 14 AD. Æ Dupondius (15.29g). Rome mint. Struck under Tiberius, circa 22-23 AD. Radiate head left / Hexastyle temple with ornate conical roof surmounted by figure; calf and lamb standing on bases flanking. RIC I 74 (Tiberius); MIR 2, 55-5; BMCRE 142 (Tiberius); Cohen 251. VF, mottled green and brown patina, light pitting. A rare type. ($600) From the Tony Hardy Collection.
  4. https://www.numismatik-naumann.at/auktion/#!/auction/lot?a=298&l=436&s=436 Auktion 66, Los 436 Beschreibung Very Rare DIVUS AUGUSTUS (Died 14). Dupondius. Rome. Struck under Tiberius. Obv: DIVVS AVGVSTVS PATER. Radiate head left. Rev: S - C. Round temple; column surmounted by calf and lamb to left and right. RIC² 74 (Tiberius). Condition: Fair. Weight: 11.9g. Diameter: 29mm. Bieten beendet. Zuschlag 325 EUR. 11 Gebote. Startpreis 40 EUR. Schätzpreis 50 EUR.
  5. https://shop.moruzzi.it/it/augusto-dupondio-22-23-d-c-s-c-tempio-esastilo-zecca-di-roma-qbb-rrr-ric-74.html AUGUSTO, DUPONDIO, 22-23 d.C., S C Tempio esastilo, zecca di Roma, BRONZO, qBB, (RRR), (RIC 74) / monete romane imperiali antiche rare (moneta romana imperiale antica rara della dinastia Giulio-Claudia - Impero Romano).  Sii il primo a recensire questo prodotto AUGUSTO, 27 a.C.-14 d.C., DUPONDIO, Emissione: 22-23 d.C., Zecca di Roma, Rif. bibl. R.I.C., 74; Cohen, 251; Metallo: AE, gr. 12,99, (MR137085), Diam.: mm. 28,89, qBB, (RRR). €990,00.
  6. https://www.deamoneta.com/auctions/view/771/414 Live auction Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April, from 3:00 pm. Spectacular Vesta Shrine Lotto n. 414 Augustus (Divus, after 14 AD). AE Dupondius, struck under Tiberius, c. 22-23 AD. Obv. DIVVS AVGVSTVS PATER. Radiate head of Augustus left. Rev. S – C. Hexastyle temple with sharply domed roof surmounted by standing figure and flanked by columns bearing calf on left and lamb on right. RIC I (2nd ed.) (Tib.) 74; C. 251. AE. 11.39 g. 30.00 mm. RR. Very rare and fascinating issue. A superb example, gently smoothed. Lovely glossy deep brown patina, with green hues. Good VF/About EF. The identity of the temple on the reverse of the coin is somewhat controversial. Its round form has led come commentators to declare the type a depiction of a temple of Vesta – either the famous temple in the Forum or the small shrine erected by Augustus next to his house on the Palatine Hill. The latter possibility may be supported by the presence of the Palladium on the roof. On the other hand, considering the obverse type and the calf and lamb flanking the temple, it has also been argued that the temple must honour the divine Augustus. A calf and a lamb were standard sacrificial animals during ceremonies worshiping a deified emperor. (NAC 101, 2017, 92 note).
    In the opinion of P.Hill (The Monuments of Ancient Rome as Coin Types, p.32) the temple corresponds in virtually every detail (as calf and lamb) to the representation of the shrine of Vesta on the Palatine on the Sorrento Base, except that it has a statue of Vesta on the apex of the roof. Base d'asta: € 2'500. Osservato da: 2. Offerte asta: 2. Lotto chiuso. Venduto: €2'600.
  7. vcoins €1,372.00 Quotazione: 12/21/22. Augustus posthumous dupondius DIVVS AVGVSTVS PATER minted by Tiberius 22-23 A.D. RIC. 74. EXTREMELY RARE!!!!!! Extremely rare, interesting and attractive Augustus posthumous dupondius minted in Rome by Tiberius between 22-23 A.D. Augustus radiated bust left in obverse (DIVVS) AVGVSTVS P(ATER). Attractive reverse, (S) - C to left and right of sharply domed roof of round temple (six columns showing) surmounted by stg. figureand flanked by bases bearing calf on left and lamb on right. 14,20g 29mm diameter. Red-brown nice patina. RIC. n� 74 (Tiberius). In the last 10 years, only two examples where sold in international auctions or stores: CNG Sept. 2004, USD 950 in VF- and Lanz May 2002, 7.500 euro in EF. EXTREMELY RARE COIN!!! Only a few know examples the RIC speaks around a scarce coin but in fact it is very very very rare).
  8. vcoins DIVUS AUGUSTUS AE dupondius. TEMPLE OF VESTA ON THE PALATINE, struck by Tiberius. Very Rare architectural issue. DIVUS AUGUSTUS AE dupondius. Struck at Rome, 22-23 AD, by Tiberius. DIVVS AVGVSTVS PATER, radiate bust left. Reverse - Temple of the Vesta on the Palatine, with six columns and domed roof, flanked by two rectangular bases set with statues of a calf and a ram. RIC 74, RCV 1785. Buildings of Rome 112. 28.5mm, 9.8g. VERY RARE, an excellent and unusual architectural type. The Temple of Vesta on the Palatine was erected near Augustus' house when he assumed the title of Pontifex Maximus after the death of Lepidus in 12 BC. Many sacred objects, including the Palladium, were brought there from the Temple of Vesta in the Forum after it's completion. This is the only appearance the Temple of Vesta on the Palatine makes, except for a very rare gold issue under Vespasian. I could only reference one example of this type, much nicer than this worn example, although it sold for nearly $7,000. Price SKU: augustus 106.00€ Rates for: 12/21/22. Sold.
  9. vcoins Augustus, 27 BC-14 AD. AE Dupondius, Rare Temple Reverse € 747.46 Rates for: 12/21/22 Augustus, 27 BC-14 AD. AE Dupondius, 28mm, 12.41g. Struck under Tiberius. Obv: Radiate head of Divus Augustus left. Rev: Round temple flanked by calf and lamb standing on columns. RIC I (Tiberius) 74. The identification of the temple on the reverse of the coin is the subject of much debate among scholars. Some believe that the temple is that of Divus Augustus which was erected by Tiberius and depicted on coins of Caligula and Antoninus Pius. However, that temple was rectangular with eight columns and was still in construction during Tiberius' reign. Others believe the edifice to be the tabernacle of Mars Ultor on the Capitoline Hill, constructed by Augustus in 19 BC. The most accepted current opinion on the identity of the temple is that it is Vesta's temple on the Palatine Hill. According to Panvini Rosati, this reverse reproduces the aedes Vestae in Palatio, to record the office of Pontifex Maximus, which Augustus assumed following the death of Lepidus.
  10. a444 pesa 15 grammi precisi e misura 30-31 mm di diametro.
Veniamo alle conclusioni, le immagini messe a disposizione mostrano una moneta molto rovinata, probabilmente per l'uso degli acidi utilizzati per la pulizia. Nella pagina di cui al link ho realizzato una tabella di confronto cliccabile tra la moneta in esame e dieci campioni autentici reperiti nel web. Il risultato del confronto è che la moneta è probabilmente autentica, il suo valore venale nelle presenti condizioni non superiore ai cinquanta euro.

Un saluto cordiale.
Giulio De Florio

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Note:

(1) Secondo il RIC, il dupondio (lega rame/zinco) della tipologia di figura  presentava le seguenti caratteristiche fisiche prevalenti (o di picco): peso (13,50 ÷ 15,50)g, asse di conio indifferentemente ad ore 0 o ad ore 12. Di seguito riporto le caratteristiche fisiche dei dupondi della tipologia di figura tratte dai link di cui sopra:

Riferimenti Peso(g) Asse di conio (ore) Diametro(mm)
Link 1 17,10 - -
Link 2 16,14 - -
Link 3 15,29 - -
Link 4
11,9 - 29
Link 5
12,99 - -
Link 6
11,39 - 30
Link 7 14,20 - 29
Link 8 9,8 - 28,5
Link 9 12,41 - 28
Link 10 15 - 30-31
Dalla tabella si evince che il dupondio di figura presenta caratteristiche fisiche (14g, 30mm) che rientrano nei margini di variabilità delle monete d'epoca di pari tipologia.
(2) DIVVS AVGVSTVS PATER. BMC sostiene che la moneta in esame sia stata battuta sotto Tiberio, probabilmente nell'ultimo periodo del suo regno, durato dal 14 al 37 d.C., in memoria del padre adottivo Augusto. La parola "PATER" allude probabilmente al titolo di "Pater Patriae" che il Senato aveva concesso in vita ad Augusto. Il dritto della moneta riproduce verosimilmente l'immagine di Augusto nella statua che Tiberio e Livia gli avevano eretto nei pressi del teatro Marcello. La testa radiata dell'imperatore, mutuata dal culto del dio Sole dei re d'Egitto e di Siria, comincia ora ad apparire sulle monete imperiali. Si ricorderà in proposito che lo stesso Augusto aveva fatto erigere il 10 a.C., nel Circo e nel Campo Marzio, due obelischi dedicati al dio Sole.
(3) Questo raro dupondio, richiamando la memoria del padre adottivo, il divino Augusto, afferma la legittimità del potere di Tiberio (e indirettamente quella di suo figlio Druso) e la continuità dinastica nell'ambito della famiglia giulio-claudia. La corona radiata, oltre a rimarcare la divinità di Augusto, è un segno distintivo del tipo di nominale, un dupondio, piuttosto che un sesterzio o un asse. L'identificazione del tempio, in assenza di elementi distintivi, è alquanto controversa, la forma rotonda ha portato alcuni a sostenere che raffiguri il tempio di Vesta, quello famoso nel Foro o il piccolo santuario eretto da Augusto accanto alla sua casa sul Palatino, quest'ultima possibilità suggerita dalla presenza del palladio in cima al tetto. D'altro canto la presenza della vacca e dell'agnello ai lati del tempio, tipici animali sacrificali, lasciano intendere che il tempio fosse dedicato al divino Augusto (il riferimento al tempio di Vesta è del 1900 ma quello che un tempo era noto come il "tempio circolare di Vesta" viene oggi riconosciuto come "tempio di Ercole Vincitore o Olivario" (v. link) perché dedicato da un mercante di olive).
(4) S C (Senatus Consulto, "per decreto del Senato") era la consueta sigla apposta sui nominali in bronzo romani (sesterzi, dupondi e assi) ad indicare la competenza esclusiva del Senato Romano nelle decisioni attinenti l'emissione di quelle monete (la monetazione in oro e in argento, che non riporta la sigla, rientrava invece nelle competenze dirette dell'imperatore).
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