Anonymous issues, circa 1st-2nd century. Tessera (Orichalcum, 18 mm, 2.83 g, 7 h), Rome. A•P•P•F within oak wreath. Rev. Upright scepter, surmounted by bare-headed male head left. Cohen VIII, p. 272, 53. Göbl, Antike Numismatik II, pl. 9, 104. Mlasowsky 37. Rowan 21. Woytek, IO IO 10-12. Rare. Perfectly centered and unusually well preserved. Minor spots of corrosion, otherwise, good very fine.



Cohen believed this interesting tessera was struck under Antoninus Pius, identifying the bearded head atop the scepter as his, and he interpreted the legend A•P•P•F to stand for A(pollinares/-aria) P(ecunia) P(ublica) F(iunt) or F(acti/facta), meaning 'The Apollonian Games are organized with public funds'. However, this interpretation has been superseded by that of B. Woytek, who suggests the types and legends actually refer to Augustus, Rome's first emperor. Woytek interprets the legend as an abbreviation for A(ugusto) P(atri) P(atriae) F(eliciter) (= "To Augustus, the happy father of the country"), with the wreath surrounding it representing a corona ex auro Etrusca. This places the tessera in the context of triumphal celebrations, and it was likely tossed by an official into the large crowds lining the processional route. Woytek further notes that the scepter topped with the bearded bust is the ceremonial scepter carried by Roman magistrates overseeing the games, with the bearded figure possibly representing the head magistrate himself.