Tibère et les Vticenses : hypothèse sur l’origine d’un modele monétaire inhabituel

Utique was the only African city that mint bronze coins only under the empire of Tiberius and, despite this, the level of its production was the highest in the province. The iconological policy of these coins was based on the almost exclusive adoption of the representation of Empress Livia, which probably become an emblematic image of the city and, therefore, one of the main aspects of its civic-representative propaganda. Rather than assuming a link between these issues and the war waged against Tacfarinas, we correlate here the phenomenon with the need for functional liquidity in the renewal of the monumental urban apparatus, which took place precisely under the principality of Augustus and Tiberius, and perhaps with its municipal promotion. It is therefore suggested that this promotion did not take place in 36 BC, but rather during the period of Tiberius’ rule.