Personifications

In addition to gods and goddesses, Roman Imperial reverse types used a large number of figures that personified ideas or virtues. These figures varied from issue to issue but tended to be shown with specific attributes that allowed identification even when the legends did not name the figure. Still, some are easily confused and will be seen named differently in different works. Greek Imperial coins often show similar figures but rarely have legends to aid in identification. Names given here are the Latin versions except for a few which are common enough on Greek issues to warrant mention of the Greek equivalent. The majority of personifications are female. Masculine exceptions below will be noted. Many are shown in different issues both seated and standing. Some attributes are common to many figures but a few will definitely identify one personification. Examples shown here are typical (and best I had available) but not definitive.

Abundentia Trajan denarius		'Abundance' here is shown seated in a chair made of crossed cornucopiae. Other issues will show her holding the cornucopia and grain ears.
Aequitas Septimius Severus denarius		'Fairness' holds a scales and cornucopia. The same figure is used for 'Moneta' (below).
Aeternitas Faustina I denarius		'Eternity' here holds a scepter but other coins will show a globe, phoenix or heads of the sun and moon.
Annona Domitian dupondius		'Harvest' shows a lap full of grain and the prow of a ship. The imported grain harvest was a matter of great concern to the people at Rome (here shown as a child).
Bonus Eventus Septimius Severus denarius		'Good luck' holds a tray of food and grain ears. Other coins show this personification holding a cornucopia. This figure appears female but the gender of the name suggests a male.
Clementia	no photo yet	'Mercy' holds a branch and scepter. She is identified most often by legend.
Concordia Aquilia Severa denarius		'Harmony' holds a cornucopia and pours a libation from a patera over a low altar. Often coins with Concordia in the legends will show two figures (gods or rulers) shaking hands.
Fecunditas Julia Domna denarius		'Fertility' shows a child or children (here in the background).
Felicitas Philip I antoninianus		'Happiness' holds a cadeuceus and cornucopia.
Fides Septimius Severus denarius		'Good faith' here shows a figure of victory and staff surmounted by an eagle in her function as Faith of the Legions. More commonly we see a patera, cornucopia or food items as attributes.
Fortuna Tyche Commodus denarius		'Fortune' usually hold a rudder and cornucopia. Often there is a globe or wheel (here under the chair). This is one of the personifications commonly found on Greek Imperial issues.
Genius Galerius follis		'Spirit' is a male personification, usually nude, holding a patera and cornucopia.
Geographical Trajan Decius antoninianus		Places often were shown as personifications. These were many to many to list here individually and each have their distinctive attributes. Our example shows the Province of Dacia holding a donkey headed staff.
Hilaritas Faustina II denarius		'Rejoicing' holds a long palm and cornucopia. This figure is sometimes shown with other legends of happy events like the Fortunate Return of the ruler from battle.
Honos	no photo yet	'Honor' is a male usually with cornucopia and scepter or branch.
Indulgentia Caracalla denarius		'Indulgence' holds a patera and scepter. This 'INDVLG FECVNDAE' coin of Caracalla is thought to commemorate his mother Julia Domna's indulgence following the murder of Geta.
Justitia Septimius Severus denarius		'Justice' holds a patera and staff.
Laetitia Julia Domna denarius		'Joy' holds a wreath and anchor. Other coins show a scepter or rudder.
Liberalitas Septimius Severus denarius		'Generosity' holds a counting board (tablet or tessera) and cornucopia. Legends of this and the next are easily confused so care need be taken to identify the unique attribute in the figure's hand.
Libertas Commodus denarius		'Freedom' holds a triangular pileus or cap given to freed slaves. This same cap is shown on very early US coins.
Moneta Septimius Severus denarius		'Money' holds scales and cornucopia. If shown as a trio, these figures represent the three metals used for coinage. The same figure is used for Aequitas (above).
Nobilitas Commodus denarius		'Nobility' holds a scepter and Palladium (statue of Minerva).
Ops Pertinax denarius		'Wealth' holds grain ears and (sometimes) a scepter. This personification rarely was used on coins.
Patientia	no photo yet	'Patience' holds a scepter and was very rarely used on coins. While the type is listed in literature, I have not seen an example.
Pax Maximinus I denarius		'Peace' holds a branch and scepter. Some coins show a branch with cornucopia or cadeuceus.
Pietas Lucilla denarius		'Dutifulness' sacrifices over an altar from a patera.
Providentia Septimius Severus denarius		'Forethought' points at a globe on the ground with a baton. She often holds a staff.
Pudicitia Julia Domna denarius		'Modesty' is veiled and makes a gesture with her hand on her breast. Some coins show her pulling away the veil.
Salus Elagabalus denarius		'Health' holds or feeds a snake from a patera.
Securitas Macrinus denarius		'Security' holds a scepter and usually has her legs crossed. Here she appears to be adjusting her hair.
Spes Septimius Severus denarius		'Hope' walks holding a flower and lifting the hem of her garment.
Tranquillitas Philip I sestertius		'Tranquillity' holds a staff and capricorn. This personification was rarely used on coins. (Tranquillity was rarely the situation at Rome!)
Ubertas Trebonianus Gallus denarius		'Fertility' holds a cornucopia and purse.
Victoria Nike Severus Alexander denarius		'Victory' is the most common personification. She is always winged and often holds a wreath, palm, trophy or shield. She is also common on Greek Imperial coins and appears in hundreds of minor variations both at Rome and throughout the Empire.
Virtus Septimius Severus denarius		'Courage' is a helmeted soldier in armor holding a spear, victory or shield. Virtus can be distinguished from the god Mars who is usually shown nude. Some coins appear to show Virtus as a female figure (appropriate since the word is feminine declention).

Other similar figures used as reverse types were shown on my gods page. I probably have omitted a personification that belongs on this page and will appreciate your note reminding me of who I have slighted. A third section of this series on reverse types will (someday!) show other categories that do not fall conveniently in the 'gods' or 'personifications' series.

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(c) 1999 Doug Smith