Roman Empire, Germanicus Gemelluss, Tiberius Gemelluss, AE Sesterius, struck in Rome, ca. 21 to 22 CE. Obverse: confronted heads of the twins. Reverse: inscription round large SC RIC (Tib) around: DRVSVS CAESAR TI AVG F DIVI AVG N PONT TR PONT II. 97, 42, BMC 95. Size: 1.4" W (3.6 cm); 21.4 grams

This coin tells an interesting story about one of the uses of Roman coinage beyond just physical currency. During these years, Emperor Tiberius struck a series of bronze coins dedicated to his family members: his adopted father Augustus, his mother Livia, his son Drusus, his daughter-in-law Livilla, and his twin grandsons, shown here, Germanicus Gemelluss and Tiberius Gemelluss. However, at this point in Tiberius's reign, he didn't care for any of these family members and was actively suspicious of most, aside from the grandsons - who were too young for him to believe they were plotting against him (although he later became suspicious of their patrimony). The images on the coins served as propaganda for Tiberius's reign and the strength of his family, despite real life divisions.

Provenance: private Boulder, Colorado, USA collection

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