Description: Roman ImperatorialOctavian CaesarDenomination: silver AR denariusWeight: 3.65 gramsDiameter: 21 mmDie Axis: 9 hStruck: Autumn 32 - Summer 31 BC Mint: Mint in Italy, possibly Rome or BrundisiumObverse: Bare head rightReverse: Pax draped, standing left, holding olive branch and cornucopia; CAESAR to left, DIVI F to right References: Roman Imperial Coinage (RIC) volume I 252; Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum (BMCRE) volume I 605-608 = Coins of the Roman Republic in the British Museum (BMCRR East) 236-239; History & Coinage of the Roman Imperators (Sear) 399; Roman Silver Coins (RSC) volume I 69Grade / Comments: Near Very Fine, banker's marks to obverse, wonderful classical bust From Sear's Imperators reference regarding Octavian's types 394 to 401... "These types would appear to constitute Octavian's elusive pre-Actian coinage, the western Triumvir's answer to Antony's "legionary" series. Taken as a whole they represent a very substantial output, certainly enough to have served Octavian's needs prior to the naval battle which determined the outcome of the war. The question of where they were struck has exercised the minds of scholars over several generations, but the Italian origin of these and succeeding issues in the CAESAR DIVI F and IMP CAESAR coinages appears now to have been adequately substantiated. Whether a single mint was responsible for the entire output and whether that establishment was the Capitoline mint itself are questions which remain to be determined. We shall probably never have the answers for sure, but there is certainly a marked uniformity in the neat engraving and polished execution of the coins which immediately suggests Rome as the source of these issues. It is true that no college of moneyers had been appointed over the preceding eight years or so, but doubtless the machinery of the mint was still in place and most of the engravers and artisans would probably have remained in the city following the closure in 40 BC. Thus, the refurbishment of the facility on the Capitol, next to the temple of Juno Moneta, should not have presented any insuperable problems. The issue would certainly have been an extraordinary one, without precedent in the republican series, but these were extraordinary times and it must be remembered that patriotic fervour was running high in the face of the threat from the foreign queen and her traitorous Roman lackey. It has been argued that it would have been more convenient for Octavian to have the mint located at or near his naval headquarters at Brundisium. However, it would scarcely have been any less convenient to have the mint situated at its traditional site in Rome as this would have saved the irksome necessity of having to transport bullion, minting equipment, and experienced personnel across the country. In marked contrast to the monotony of the Antonian "legionary" series the types of the pre-Actian CAESAR DIVI F coinage exhibit great inventiveness and are of considerable interest. In this they foreshadow the diversity of the imperial coinages to follow... these types convey a powerful message of Octavian's divine heritage and of his role as the true inheritor of the Caesarian tradition. Adding to the interest of this series is the cleverly contrived antithetical relationship of two pairs of types (nos. 395/6 with 397/8, and 399 and 400)... The first of these pairings depict head of Octavian on obverse and figure of Venus on reverse, and head of Venus on obverse and figure of Octavian on reverse; similarly, 399 and 400 have Octavian head/Pax standing and Pax head/Octavian standing respectively. Taken together, these types may be interpreted as holding out the promise that Caesar's heir, now a proven military leader in his own right, will bring peace to the war-ravaged state through his imminent victory over the foreign aggressor Cleopatra and her misguided Roman allies." Coins are guaranteed genuine for life. Additionally, returns may be made within 30 days of receipt for any reason as long as items are undamaged and unaltered.
Price: 725 USD
Location: Madison, New Jersey
End Time: 2024-01-25T02:27:40.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
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Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Seller
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Denomination: Denarius
Composition: Silver
Ruler: Augustus
