Antoninus Pius The Fourth Liberality

The reverse of this attractive and historical type depicts Antoninus Pius presiding at his fourth liberalitas or largesse, on which occasion the emperor doled out sums of money to worthy citizens. The Ostian Fasti record that this gift to the Roman people was of 90 denarii per citizen, and that it took place in the spring of AD 145, soon after the wedding of Marcus Aurelius and Faustina Junior. The Historia Augusta records that Antoninus' celebrations of his daughter and adopted son's wedding included a donative to the army, and although it does not specifically mention the emperor's fourth liberalitas, this happy event was no doubt also the motivation for his generosity to the citizens. LIB IIII - Liberalitas Quarta: The fourth liberality.