Art Institute of Chicago

Tetradrachm (Coin) Portraying Emperor Tiberius

Roman; minted in Alexandria, Egypt

Date

14-37

Medium

Billon

Culture

Egypt

Department

Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

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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