Modius
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Hadrian AR Denarius. 132-134 AD. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, laureate bust right, drapery over left shoulder / COS III, modius filled with grain.
Example No. 2:TextImage
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modius - a Roman cup used to measure grain, sometimes used as a symbol of fertility.
obol - the smallest Greek silver denonimation, six of which equal a drachm (q.v.).
obryzum - the technical term for pure gold in Greek and Latin.
Modius
A traditional Roman grain measure shaped like a truncated cone. It was often used to symbolize grain distribution or imperial generosity to the Roman people.
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Modius
a measure of wheat or any dry or solid commodity, containing the third part of an amphora. In form it resembled an inverted bucket standing on three legs.
In the Republic (c.200-150 BC) we find records of the pay for a legionary soldier set at 3 asses per day and wheat sold for 4 asses per modius. This would allow a soldier to buy enough bread for a year with about two month's pay.
ANNONA AVG Grain ears in modius
3.20 g
Sear 1079; RIC 250
trace of deposits on rev, oth. nearly EF with superb portrait
The reverse type refers to the monthly grain dole received by 200,000 citizens.
Naked figure to front brandishing a sword (Harmodius (?), N. C., 1902, Pl. XV. 14). This remarkable issue (of which four specimens only are at present known) is characterized by a very barbarous copy of the head of Athena on the obv.
Genius standing left, modius on head, naked but fror chlamys which hangs low over left shoulder, right hand holding patera from which liquor flows, left a cornucopiae
GENIO AVGG ET - CAESARVM NN
RIC11a, Constantius I: Follis (0297AD-0299AD) ...
Genius standing left, modius on head, naked but for chlamys over left shoulder, right hand holding paterna (with liquor flowing), left arm holding cornucopiae, K in right field, A and P in left field
Exergue:
ALE ...
Description : Tyché (Fortuna), coiffée du modius, drapée, tenant un gouvernail de la main droite et une corne d'abondance de la main gauche.
N° dans les ouvrages de référence : BMC.- - Cop.- ...
RC155. Claudius, AD41-54, AE Quadrans. Modius, legend around/Legend (...DESIT...) around SC, AD41, RIC84. Centered on oval flan, tops of a few letters partly off, dark green patina, Very Fine....$55 Photo ...
Genius standing left with modius on head, holding cornucopia and pouring libations from a patera
Exergue:
HTA (Heraclea) ...
A K M AVP Î POBOC CEB
Laureate and cuirassed bust right..
LÎ" (= Year 3 277/8 AD)
Tyche standing left, modius on head, holding cornucopia in left hand, rudder in right.
(BMC 2423, Curtis 1890,
Milne 4560, Emmett 3994) ...
Obv: his laureate head right.
Rev: Tyche seated left on rudder, modius on head, nude to waist, cornucopiae in left hand, branch of grapes in right hand, ΔOT in left field = 374 = 115/6 AD
Ex. Sphinx Nimismatics ...
IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG
/ANNONA AVGG, Annona standing left, holding grain over modius, and cornucopiae
RIC 28c, plate 5.13, "244-247".
Prototype shown: RIC 29, with prow at feet to left. AR22. 6:00.
 See also: Bust, Patera, Wreath, Revers, Reverse
  
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