Long Table 143. The Meanings of Libertas on Roman Coinage
Channel: American Numismatic Society
Date: 2023-06-27

In Latin, libertas was the condition opposite slavery: freedom or liberty. On Roman coinage, Libertas personified this quality and was used to communicate civil protections afforded to citizens, often as a retort to politicians or rulers characterized as tyrants. This suggested that, under them, the Senate and Roman people were slaves. But closer attention to numismatic and literary sources suggests that Libertas was not always a retort to political tyranny, but that her image connoted other messages: namely, freedom from financial burdens, such as taxes and customs duties. ANS Deputy Director Nathan T. Elkins will discuss these various meanings of Libertas on Roman coinage.