TYPE Roman Empire, Antoninus Pius (138-161 AD), brass sestertius, 21.41g DESCRIPTION . Obv: Laureate bust of Antoninus to right, legend: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS PP TRP (partial) Rev: Emperor seated on platform with outstretched hand, officer behind him, Liberalitas holding account board (abacus) and cornucopiae before him, citizen at left below, receiving generosity, legend: AVG IIII COS IIII around, S C on platform, LIBERALITAS in exergue (rev. legends not visible) REFERENCE: RIC 774 GRADING: VG, light brown patina, rare ORDER INFO: R1205, $55 A rare issue with a remarkable reverse "propaganda" type. In this case, it celebrates the emperor's largesse during one of his famous nine donatives, known as "congiaria", to the citizens of Rome. Although originally these donatives were in liquid (oil and wine), by Pius' time they commonly took the form of cash. Aiding the emperor here by communicating the gifts to the citizens is the personification of generosity, Liberalitas.