A Roman jasper engraved stone with a standing figure of Æquitas, the Roman goddess of equity and fairness, shown standing in a dignified pose, wearing a diadem, a long robe and holding scales in one hand and a scepter in the other. A palm branch stands next to her, on her left side. Equitas or Æquitas is most often depicted holding a pair of scales to represent fair dealings and true fairness, a different concept from justice—for justice is under the law, and must follow it to the letter. Equity is beyond the laws made by mankind, that, however fairly intended, must always be imperfect. Equity is what allows the law to be modified in circumstances that could not have been foreseen by the original lawmakers; with honesty and conscience. Aequitas is the Latin concept of justice, equality, conformity, symmetry, or fairness. Theof equity has played a role in shaping justice systems through the ages. This is shown in the definition given for the Latin word æquitas, which, besides "fairness" and "impartiality", also means "symmetry and evenness", eloquently represented by the goddess's balancing scales. During the Roman Empire, Aequitas as a divine personification was part of the religious propaganda of the emperor, under the name Aequitas Augusti, which also appeared on coins.
She is depicted on coins holding a cornucopia and a balance scale (libra), which was more often a symbol of "honest measure" to the Romans than of justice.
The intaglio is perfectly intact and its original beauty is preserved.