Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. AV Aureus (7.32 g, 6h). Struck AD 152-153. Laureate head right, slight drapery at shoulders / Liberalitas standing left, holding abacus and vexillum. RIC III 229 var. (draped and cuirassed); Calicó 1583. EF. Rare.
The Liberalitas reverse type lauds Antoninus Pius as a generous emperor. Liberalitas holds a vexillum, a type of standard, comprised of a flag suspended from a cross bar and carried on a pole. Often born by a soldier it was a sign. The fact that Liberalitas is holding both a vexillum, a sign, and an instrument indicative of generosty means that Antoninus Pius was known for his liberality. In the right hand Liberalitas holds either a tessera or an abacus. A tessera was a tablet for recording the names of individuals who had received distributions or liberalites from the emperor. The abacus was a counting board. Hunter suggests that the article in the right hand may be a scoop for distributing coins. Whichever of these three is correct, all exhibit the magnanimity of the emperor.
