Augustus used coins to propagate news of his military successes. They celebrated the victory at the Battle of Actium, the return of the legionary aquilae and signa from Parthia, the capture of new territories, his return from successful ventures abroad and other related themes. Coins remained in circulation for decades. The cumulative effect of years of such messaging reinforced the primacy of Augustus and of his crucial role in managing the security of the imperium of the Roman People. For discussions of coins in imperial policy and their often vague meanings, see Levick (1999), Romer (1978), Sutherland (1978) and Wallace-Hadrill (1986).
The mint at the Temple of Iuno Moneta in Rome produced coins under the official board of four moneyers until 40 BCE. Thereafter, various officials produced coins for Imp. Caesar/Augustus. In the 20s BCE, production was augmented by other mints in Colonia Caesaraugusta, Colonia Augusta Emerita, Colonia Patricia and Pergamon, which were closer both to the source of the precious metals and the army camps where coins were distributed as pay for the soldiers. From 18 BCE, tresviri aere argento auro flando feriundo – literally ‘three men for striking (and) casting bronze, silver, gold (coins)’ – again oversaw production in Rome. After 15 BCE, production of gold (aurei, quinarii) and silver (denarii, quinarii) coins moved entirely from Rome to Colonia Copia Felix Munatia (Lugdunum), guarded by one of the Cohortes Urbanae. These Gallic issues were often marked ‘IMP’ with the cumulative number of his imperatorial acclamations at the date of issue. From then on, the Rome mint struck only the low denomination bronze, brass and copper coins (sestertii, dupondii, asses, semis, quadrans), stamped ‘SC’ as having been issued under senatus consultum, a lawful decree of the Senate.
Coins often appeared with slight variations owing to the skills of individual diemakers, and dies could be replaced when one or both halves wore out, so that several versions of the same type might be struck. The same dies were often used to strike both the gold and silver coins of a particular issue. This catalogue is selective, including only the important types produced during the period 31 BCE–14 CE.
Abbreviations used: AV = aurum (gold); AR = argentum (silver); AE = aes (brass, bronze or copper); BMC = Mattingly, H., Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum. Volume 1; CBN = Giard, J.-B., Catalogue des Monnaies de l’Empire Romain; Cohen = Cohen, H., Description Historique des Monnaies frappées sous l’Empire Romain; RCV = Sear, D., Roman Coins and Their Values. Volume 1; RIC = Sutherland, C.H.V., Roman Imperial Coinage. Volume 1; RSC = Seaby, H.A., Roman Silver Coins, Volume I.
1. AR denarius. Rome mint. Struck c. 32–31 BCE. Obverse: Bare head of Imp. Caesar facing left, without legend. Reverse: CAESAR – DIVI F across field. Winged Victory alighting left on globe, holding wreath and palm. (Numismatic references: BMC 603; Cohen 64; Paris 37; RIC 254b.) The coin anticipates Imp. Caesar’s victory over Queen Kleopatra and her partner M. Antonius in the coming war.
2. AR denarius. Rome mint. Struck c. 32–31 BCE. Obverse: Head of Venus or Pax right, wearing stephane and necklace, without legend. Reverse: CAESAR – DIVI F across field. Imp. Caesar in military dress rushing left, extending right hand and holding transverse spear in left. (Numismatic references: BMC 609; Cohen 70; Paris 1; RCV 397; RIC 251.) The coin anticipates the victory of Imp. Caesar over Queen Kleopatra and her partner M. Antonius in the coming war.
3. AR denarius. Italian (Brundisium or Rome?) mint. Struck 30–29 BCE. Obverse: Bare head of Imp. Caesar facing right, without legend. Reverse: Actian War Arch, showing a single span surmounted by Imp. Caesar in facing triumphal quadriga; IMP CAESAR on the architrave, without legend. (Numismatic references: BMC 624; RIC 267; RSC 123.) The coin commemorates victory over Queen Kleopatra and her partner M. Antonius during the Actian War of 31 BCE.
4. AR denarius (plate 9). Italian (Brundisium or Rome?) mint. Struck 30 BCE. Obverse: Victory, draped, standing right on prow, holding palm frond over left shoulder in left hand and wreath in extended right hand. Reverse: IMP CAESAR in exergue. Imp. Caesar driving triumphal quadriga right, the car ornamented with figures on its front and side panels, holding reins in left hand and branch in right. (Numismatic references: BMC 617–9 = BMCRR Rome 4343–5; BN 98–104; CRI 416; RIC 264; RSC 115.) The coin commemorates Imp. Caesar’s victory over Queen Kleopatra and her partner M. Antonius at the Battle of Actium of 2 September 31 BCE.
5. AR denarius (plate 8). Italian (Brundisium or Rome?) mint. Struck 29–27 BCE. Obverse: Bare head of Imp. Caesar facing right, without legend. Reverse: IMP CAESAR. Tropaeum decorated with captured body armour, its base crossed with rudder and anchor and set on a ship’s prow to right. (Numismatic references: BMC 625; RIC 265a; RSC 119; Sear 1556.) The coin commemorates Imp. Caesar’s victory over Queen Kleopatra and her partner at the Battle of Actium of 2 September 31 BCE.
6. AR denarius. Italian (Brundisium or Rome?) mint. Struck 29–27 BCE. Obverse: Laureate head of Imp. Caesar facing right, as Terminus, with thunderbolt behind. Reverse: IMP CAESAR legend to the left and right of Imp. Caesar, togate, seated left on curule chair, holding Victoriola right. (Numismatic references: BMC 637; RIC 270.) The coin commemorates Imp. Caesar’s victory over Queen Kleopatra and her partner at the battles of Actium and Alexandria.
7. AR quinarius. Italian (Brundisium or Rome?) mint. Struck 28 BCE. Obverse: CAESAR IMP VII. Bare head of Imp. Caesar facing right. Reverse: ASIA RECEPTA. Winged Victory standing left on cista mystica flanked by two snakes. (Numismatic references: BMC 647; Cohen 14; RIC 276; RSC 14.) This coin celebrates the reconquest of Asia Minor from Kleopatra and her partner M. Antonius in 30 BCE.
8. AV aureus. Uncertain (Pergamon?) mint. Struck 28 BCE. Obverse: CAESAR DIVI F COS VI. Bare head of Imp. Caesar facing right. Reverse: AEGVPTO / CAPTA in two lines. Crocodile standing right, closed mouth. (Numismatic references: BMC 655; RIC 544.) The coin celebrates the capture of Egypt after the surrender of Queen Kleopatra’s army in August 30 BCE.
9. AR denarius. Uncertain (Pergamon?) mint. Struck 28 BCE. Obverse: CAESAR DIVI F COS VI. Bare head of Imp. Caesar facing right. Reverse: AEGVPTO / CAPTA in two lines. Crocodile standing right, closed mouth. (Numismatic references: BMC 653; Cohen 4; Paris 928; RIC 545.) The coin celebrates the capture of Egypt after the surrender of Queen Kleopatra’s army in August 30 BCE. (Other versions show the crocodile with an open mouth or a hippopotamus.) Forgeries of this type made in ancient times have been found.
10. AE as. Philippi mint. Struck 27–10 BCE. Obverse: VIC – AVG across field. Winged Victory standing left. Reverse: COHOR PRAE. PHIL in exergue. Three army signa. (Numismatic references: BMC 23; RPC I 1651; Sear 32; SNG ANS 674.) The coin was minted at Augusta Iulia Philippensis, a colonia of veterans of Cohortes Praetoriae who settled in Macedonia.
11. AR denarius. Colonia Emerita Augusta mint. Struck c. 25–23 BCE by legate P. Carisius. Obverse: CAESAR AVGVS TRIBVN POTEST. Head of Augustus right. Reverse: P CARISIVS / LEG / AVGVSTI in three lines. (Numismatic references: Cohen 392; RIC 22.) This coin asserts the authority of Legatus Augusti Pro Praetore P. Carisius in his province.
12. AR denarius. Colonia Emerita Augusta mint. Struck c. 25–23 BCE by legate P. Carisius. Obverse: IMP CAESAR AVGVST. Bare head of Augustus facing right. Reverse: P CARISIVS LEG PRO PR. View of a gate looking back into the city of Emerita Augusta. (Numismatic reference: RIC 9a.) This coin was minted in the colonia founded by P. Carisius for veterans after the Bellum Cantabricum et Asturicum, 26–25 BCE.
13. AR quinarius. Colonia Emerita Augusta mint. Struck c. 25–23 BCE by legate P. Carisius. Obverse: AVGVST. Bare head of Augustus right. Reverse: P CARISI LEG. Victory standing right, placing wreath on a trophy. (Numismatic reference: RIC 1a.) The coin celebrates Carisius’ victory in the war against the Astures in 26–25 BCE.
14. AR denarius. Colonia Emerita Augusta mint. Struck c. 25–23 BCE by legate P. Carisius. Obverse: IMP CAESAR AVGVST. Bare head of Augustus right. Reverse: P CARISIVS LEG PRO PR. Crested helmet between gladius hispanienis and bipennis. (Numismatic references: BMC 281; Cohen 406; Paris 1046 pl. XLII; RIC 7a; RSC 405.) The coin shows war spoils gathered by Carisius after his successful war against the Astures in 26–25 BCE.
15. AR denarius (plate 16). Colonia Emerita Augusta mint. Struck c. 25–23 BCE by legate P. Carisius. Obverse: IMP CAESAR AVGVST. Bare head of Augustus facing right. Reverse: P CARISIVS LEG PRO PR. Tropaeum from which hang captured body armour, erected on a hill covered with shields, swords, bipennes and spears. (Numismatic references: BMC 284; RIC 4b.) The coin shows the trophy decorated with war spoils gathered by Carisius after his successful war against the Astures in 26–25 BCE.
16. AR denarius (fig. 4). Rome mint. Struck c. 19 BCE. Obverse: Q RVSTIVS FORTVNAE. Jugate busts facing right of Fortuna Victrix wearing round helmet, holding patera, and Fortuna Felix, diademed above bar with ram’s head finials. ANTIAT in exergue. Reverse: CAESAR AVGVSTO, ornamented rectangular altar inscribed FOR RE, EX SC in exergue. (Numismatic references: BMC 4; RIC 322.) The coin commemorates the Senate’s vote to erect an altar to the goddess Fortuna upon the safe return of Augustus from the East on 12 October 19 BCE. The altar was dedicated on 15 December that year.
17. AR denarius. Spanish (Colonia Caesaraugusta?) mint. Struck 19 BCE. Obverse: CAESAR AVGVSTVS, bare head facing right. Reverse: Oak wreath; OB CIVIS above; SERVATOS below. (Numismatic references: BMC 330; RIC 40a.) The inscription on the reverse commemorates the decree of the Senate on 13 January 27 BCE bestowing the corona civica on Augustus – and the right to display it in perpetuity on the facade of his house on the Palatinus Hill – for having ‘saved the lives of citizens’.
18. AR denarius. Spanish (Colonia Patricia?) mint. Struck 19–18 BCE. Obverse: CAESAR AVGVSTVS, bare head facing right. Reverse: OB CIVIS SERVATOS in three lines within oak wreath, with wreath ties drawn upward. (Numismatic references: RIC 77a; RSC 208.) The inscription on the reverse commemorates the decree of the Senate on 13 January 27 BCE bestowing the corona civica on Augustus – and the right to display it in perpetuity on the facade of his house on the Palatinus Hill – for having ‘saved the lives of citizens’.
19. AR denarius. Spanish (Colonia Patricia?) mint. 19–18 BCE. Obverse: Laureate head of Augustus facing right. Reverse: FORTVN REDVC CAESARI AVG S P Q R, inscribed in three lines on rectangular altar. (Numismatic references: CBN 54d; RIC 56a.) The coin produced at a provincial mint commemorates the Senate’s vote to erect an altar to the goddess Fortuna upon the safe return of Augustus to Rome on 12 October 19 BCE. The altar was dedicated on 15 December that year.
20. AR denarius. Colonia Caesaraugusta mint. Struck 19–18 BCE. Obverse: CAESAR AVGVSTVS. Oak-wreathed head facing right. Reverse: Winged Victory flying right holding wreath in both hands over shield inscribed CL V, and resting against column. (Numismatic reference: BMC 341; Cohen 289 var. (bare head); RIC 46 var. (head left).) This coin was issued after the successful conclusion of the Bellum Cantabricum by M. Agrippa operating under the auspices of Augustus.
21. AR denarius. Rome mint. Struck c. 19 BCE by moneyer L. Aquillius Florus. Obverse: L AQVILLIVS FLORVS IIIVIR. Draped bust of Virtus facing right, wearing helmet with a long crest and a feather on the side. Reverse: AVGVSTVS CAESAR. Augustus, driving biga of elephants to left, holding laurel branch over the backs of the elephants. (Numismatic references: BMC 36; BMCRR 4545; Cohen 354; RIC 301.) There is no report in the extant historical accounts of Augustus celebrating a triumph with a biga pulled by elephants.
22. AR denarius (plate 14). Colonia Patricia mint. Struck c. 19 BCE. Obverse: CAESAR AVGVSTVS. Bare head of Augustus facing right. Reverse: SIGNIS RECEPTIS. Aquila on left and army signum standard on right flanking S P Q R arranged around shield inscribed CL V. (Numismatic references: BMC 418; Cohen 265; RIC 86a.) The coin celebrates the return of the army insignia from the Parthians in 20 BCE. This event was memorialized on the coinage more than any other imperial achievement of Augustus.
23. AR denarius. Uncertain (Colonia Caesaraugusta?) mint. Struck c. 19 BCE. Obverse: CAESAR AVGVSTVS. Bare head of Augustus facing right. Reverse: SIGNIS RECEPTIS. Mars, helmeted and cloaked, standing facing head right, right hand holding aquila, left hand holding army signum over shoulder. (Numismatic references: BMC 332; CBN 1310; Cohen 259; RIC 41.) The coin celebrates the return of the army insignia from the Parthians in 20 BCE.
24. AR denarius. Spanish (Tarraco?) mint. Struck 19–18 BCE. Obverse: CAESARI / AVGVSTO. Laureate head of Augustus facing right. Reverse: Round domed tetrastyle temple of Mars Ultor set on three steps, containing triumphal currus carrying aquila and miniature quadriga. S P Q R in exergue. (Numismatic references: RIC 120.) The coin celebrates the return of the army insignia from the Parthians in 20 BCE.
25. AR denarius. Spanish mint (Colonia Caesaraugusta?). Struck c. 19–18 BCE. Obverse: CAESAR AVGVSTVS. Bare head of Augustus facing left. Reverse: MARTIS VLTORIS. Statue of Mars Ultor holding aquila and tropaeum, standing left within tetrastyle temple with ornate domed roof. (Numismatic references: BMC 329; RIC 39b.) The coin celebrates the return of the army insignia from the Parthians in 20 BCE.
26. AR Cistophoric tetradrachma. Asia Minor (uncertain) mint. Struck 19/18 BCE. Obverse: IMP IX TR PO V. Bare head of Augustus facing right. Reverse: MART – VLTO across field. Circular temple showing four columns on podium of five steps, military standard within. (Numismatic references: BMC 704; Cohen 202 (25 Fr.); Paris 989; RIC 507; RPC 2220.) The coin celebrates the return of the army insignia from the Parthians in 20 BCE.
27. AR denarius (plate 12). Spanish (Colonia Patricia?) mint. Struck c. 19 BCE. Obverse: Bare head of Augustus facing right. Reverse: OB / CIVIS / SERVATOS in three lines; all within oak wreath. (Numismatic references: BMC 378–80; RIC 77a; RSC 208.) The inscription on the reverse commemorates the decree of the Senate on 13 January 27 BCE bestowing the corona civica on Augustus – and the right to display it in perpetuity on the facade of his house on the Palatinus Hill – for having ‘saved the lives of citizens’.
28. AR denarius (plate 13). Spanish (Colonia Caesaraugusta?) mint. Struck 19–18 BCE. Obverse: Oak-wreathed bust of Augustus facing right. Reverse. CAESAR AVGVSTVS. Two laurel branches flanking S P / Q R in two lines arranged around shield inscribed CL V. (Numismatic references: BMC 354 (Colonia Patricia); CBN 1335 (Nimes); Cohen 51; RIC 36a.) The inscription on the reverse commemorates the bestowing by the Senate on Augustus of two laurel crowns and the Clipeus Virtutis – and the right to display them, in perpetuity, on the facade of his house on the Palatinus Hill – on 16 January 27 BCE.
29. AR denarius. Rome or Pergamum mint. Stuck c. 19–18 BCE. Obverse: Bare head of Augustus facing right. Reverse. CAESAR – DIVI F / ARMEN – RECEPT / IMP – VIII in three lines. Armenian warrior in national costume and head dress standing facing front, holding spear in right hand and resting left hand on bow set on ground. (Numismatic references: BMC 678; Cohen 59; RIC 519.) The coin celebrates the capture of Armenia from the Parthians in 20 BCE.
30. AR denarius (fig. 3). Pergamon mint. Stuck c. 19–18 BCE. Obverse: AVGVSTVS. Bare head of Augustus facing right. Reverse. ARMENIA – CAPTA across field. Armenia tiara and bow case with quiver. (Numismatic references: BMC 672; BN 995; Cohen 11; RIC 516.) The coin celebrates the capture of Armenia from the Parthians in 20 BCE.
31. AR denarius (plate 17). Rome mint. Struck 19 BCE by moneyer P. Petronius Turpilianus. Obverse: TVRPILIANVS / III VIR FERON. Diademed and draped bust of Feronia with bead necklace facing right. Reverse: CAESAR AVGVSTVS SIGN RECE. Parthian wearing trousers, kneeling right, presenting standard inscribed X. (Numismatic references: RCV 1603; Seaby 484.) The coin celebrates the return of the army insignia from the Parthians in 20 BCE.
32. AR cistophorus. Pergamum mint. Struck 19–18 BCE. Obverse: IMP IX TR PO V. Bare head of Augustus facing right. Reverse: S P R / SIGNIS / RECEPTIS in three lines in the opening of a single-span triumphal arch surmounted by large statue of Augustus in facing triumphal quadriga, IMP IX TR POT V on architrave. (Numismatic references: BMC 703 ( = BMCRR East 310); CBN 982; RPC 2218; RIC 510; RSC 298.) The coin shows the arch to be raised to celebrate the return of the army insignia from the Parthians in 20 BCE. A cistophorus was equivalent to 3 denarii.
33. AR denarius. Colonia Emerita Augusta mint. Struck 19–18 BCE. Obverse: Head of Augustus facing left, wearing oak wreath. Reverse: CAESAR / AVGVSTVS in two lines. Two laurel branches (or trees) upright. (Numismatic references: BMC 318–20 = BMCRR Gaul 144–46; BN 1285–86; RIC 33b; RSC 48.) The Senate bestowed on Augustus the award of two laurel crowns and the Clipeus Virtutis – and the right to display them, in perpetuity, on the facade of his house on the Palatinus Hill – on 16 January 27 BCE.
34. AR denarius (fig. 5). Colonia Patricia mint. Struck 18 BCE. Obverse: CAESARI AVGVSTO. Laureate head of Augustus facing right. Reverse: MAR VLT. Domed, hexastyle temple of Mars Ultor, aquila flanked by two standards within. (Numismatic references: BMC 373; RCV 1623; RIC 105a; RSC 190.) The coin celebrates the return of the army insignia from the Parthians in 20 BCE.
35. AR denarius (plate 10). Colonia Patricia mint. Struck 18 BCE or later. Obverse: SPQR PARENT CONS SVO. Triumphator’s toga picta over tunica palmata flanked on left by eagle-tipped rod of imperium and on right by wreath. Reverse: CAESARI / AVGVSTO in exergue. Triumphal quadriga advancing right, ornamented with one Victory and surmounted by a small galloping quadriga. (Numismatic references: BMC 399; RIC 99; RSC 78b.) The coin’s legend appears to bestow an honour by the Senate and Roman People on an absent Augustus. (On the ambiguity of the legend, see Wallace-Hadrill (1986).) Forgeries of this type made in ancient times have been found.
36. AV aureus. Colonia Patricia mint. Struck 18–17 BCE. Obverse: S P Q R CAESARI AVGVSTO. Bare head of Augustus facing right. Reverse: VOT P SVSC PRO SAL ET RED I O M SACR. Mars, helmeted and cloaked, standing left, holding a vexillum in right hand and parazonium over left shoulder. (Numismatic references: BMC 437; RIC 149a.) The inscription on the reverse translates as ‘public vows have been undertaken, holy to Jupiter the Best and Greatest, for the wellbeing and the return [of the emperor]’.
37. AR denarius. Colonia Patricia mint. Struck 18–17 BCE. Obverse: S P Q R CAESARI AVGVSTO. Bare head of Augustus facing right. Reverse: VOT P SVSC PRO SAL ET RED I O M SACR. Mars, helmeted and cloaked, standing left, holding a vexillum in right hand and parazonium over left shoulder. (Numismatic references: BMC 441; RIC 148.) The inscription on the reverse translates as ‘public vows have been undertaken, holy to Jupiter the Best and Greatest, for the wellbeing and the return [of the emperor]’. (Silver version of 36.)
38. AV quinarius. Spanish (Colonia Patricia?) mint. Struck c. 18–16 BCE. Obverse: AVG – VST. Bare head of Augustus facing right. Reverse: Victory standing on globe right, holding aquila up while holding branch down. (Numismatic references: BMC 424; RIC 121 (same reverse die).) This coin was minted after M. Agrippa concluded the Bellum Cantabricum in 19 BCE and may celebrate his victory under the auspices of Augustus.
39. AV aureus. Colonia Patricia mint. Struck 18–16 BCE. Obverse: SPQR IMP CAESARI AVG COS XI TR POT VI. Bare head of Augustus facing right. Reverse: CIVIB ET SIGN MILIT A PART RECVPER. Triumphal arch with three portals, Augustus in quadriga between two Parthians on top. (Numismatic references: BMC 427; Cohen 82; RIC 131.) The reverse depicts the Parthian War Arch. Straddling the Via Sacra, the central gate supports a chariot driven by Augustus as triumphator, while the two flanking portals bear statues of Parthian archers. In this depiction, all the arches are shown the same size. The inscription on the reverse translates as ‘because of the citizens and of the militia, recovered from the Parthians’.
40. AR denarius (plate 11). Colonia Patricia mint. Struck 18–16 BCE. Obverse: SPQR IMP CAESARI AVG COS XI TR POT VI. Bare head of Augustus facing right. Reverse: CIVIB ET SIGN MILIT A PART RECVPER. Triumphal arch with three portals, Augustus in quadriga between two Parthians on top. (Numismatic references: BMC 428; Cohen 83; RIC 134a; RSC 84.) The reverse depicts the Parthian War Arch. Straddling the Via Sacra, the central gate supports a chariot driven by Augustus as triumphator, while the two flanking portals bear statues of Parthian archers. In this depiction, all the arches are shown the same size. The inscription on the reverse translates as ‘because of the citizens and of the militia, recovered from the Parthians’.
41. AR denarius. Rome mint. Struck 16 BC by moneyer L. Mescinius Rufus. Obverse: S COB R P CVM SALVT IMP CAESAR AVGVS CONS. Young man’s head facing front, slightly turned to right on roundel within imago clipeata. Reverse: L MESCINIVS RVFVS III VIR. Mars, naked but for helmet, holding spear and parazonium, standing on pedestal inscribed S P Q R V P / S PR S ET / RED AVG. (Numismatic references: BMC 90; CBN 341; Cohen 465. RIC 356.) This coin is exceptional for the front-facing portrait of the man whose identity is unclear.
42. AR denarius (plate 34). Rome mint. Struck 16 BCE by moneyer L. Mescinius Rufus. Obverse: Laureate head of Augustus facing right. Reverse: L MESCINIVS RVFVS, Mars, helmeted and cloaked, holding transverse spear and parazonium, standing left on pedestal inscribed S P Q R / V PR RE / CAES in three lines. (Numismatic references: BMC 86; RIC 351; RSC 463a.) Among the pantheon Mars Ultor was an important god for Augustus, to whom he dedicated his Forum Augustum on 12 May 2 BCE.
43. AR denarius. Rome mint. Struck 16 BCE. Obverse: Bare head of Augustus facing right. Reverse: Triumphal arch inscribed S P Q R / IMP CAE in two lines surmounted by quadriga, Augustus driving chariot, holding branch and sceptre; smaller arches on either side surmounted by archer and slinger. L VINICIVS in exergue. (Numismatic references: BMC 77–78 = BMCRR Rome 4477–78; BN 348–51; RIC 359; RSC 544.) The reverse depicts the Parthian War Arch. Straddling the Via Sacra, the central gate supports a chariot driven by Augustus as triumphator, while the two flanking portals bear statues of Parthian archers. (Compare to no. 3.)
44. AV aureus. Colonia Copia Felix Munatia (Lugdunum) mint. Struck 15–13 BCE. Obverse: AVGVSTVS DIVI F. Bare head of Augustus facing right. Reverse: IMP – X across field. ACT in exergue. Apollo Citharoedus standing left, holding plectrum and lyre. (Numismatic references: BMC 459; Calicó 215; Lyon 27; RIC 170.) This coin celebrates the Actian Games at Nikopolis, the city founded upon the site of Imp. Caesar’s camp at Actium.
45. AV aureus. Colonia Copia Felix Munatia (Lugdunum) mint. Struck 15–13 BCE. Obverse: AVGVSTVS DIVI F. Bare head of Augustus facing right. Reverse: IMP X in exergue. Togate Augustus seated left on curule chair set on low dais, receiving branches from two men each wearing a cloak and bearing a parazonium. (Numismatic references: BMC 447; RIC 164a.) The coin celebrates the victory of Augustus’ stepsons, Nero Claudius Drusus and Ti. Claudius Nero, over the Raeti, Vindelici and Norici in 15 BCE.
46. AR denarius (plate 27). Colonia Copia Felix Munatia (Lugdunum) mint. Struck 15–13 BCE. Obverse: AVGVSTVS DIVI F. Bare head of Augustus facing right. Reverse: IMP X in exergue. Togate Augustus seated left on curule chair set on low dais, receiving branches from two men each wearing a cloak and bearing a parazonium. (Numismatic references: BMC 446; CBN 1366; Cohen 133; Lyon 13; RSC 135; RIC 165a.) The coin celebrates the victory of Augustus’ stepsons, Nero Claudius Drusus and Ti. Claudius Nero, over the Raeti, Vindelici and Norici in 15 BCE. (Silver version of 45.)
47. AR denarius (plate 28). Rome mint. Struck 12 BCE by moneyer L. Caninius Gallus. Obverse: AVGVSTVS. Bare head of Augustus facing right. Reverse: L CANINIVS GALLVS III VIR. Long-haired, bearded and naked barbarian wearing only a cloak, kneeling right, offering vexillum to right. (Numismatic references: BMC 128; RIC 416.) The coin celebrates the victory of Augustus’ stepson, Nero Claudius Drusus, over the Germans in 12 BCE.
48. AR denarius. Colonia Copia Felix Munatia (Lugdunum) mint. Struck 15–12 BCE. Obverse: AVGVSTVS DIVI F. Bare head of Augustus facing right. Reverse: IMP – X across field. SICIL in exergue. Diana standing left, head right holding spear and bow, dog standing at feet. (Numismatic references: BMC 463; Cohen 146 (6 Fr.); Paris 1393 pl. LVI (same dies); RIC 173a.) This type of Diana of Sicily may refer back to Augustus’ defeat of the renegade Sex. Pompeius twentyfour years earlier at the Battle of Naulochus off the coast of Sicily in 36 BCE.
49. AE as. Colonia Copia Felix Munatia (Lugdunum) mint. Struck 10 BCE–14 CE. Obverse: PONTIF MAX CAESAR. Laureate head of Augustus facing right. Reverse: Front elevation of the Altar of Roma et Augustus at Condate, decorated with the corona civica between laurels, flanked by nude male figures; to left and right, winged Victories on columns, facing one another. ROM ET AVG below. (Numismatic references: BMC 550; RIC 230.) The sacred precinct at Condate was opened on 1 August 10 BCE and was the site of annual sacrifices by the Concilium Galliarum. This coin type was minted to the end of Augustus’ reign.
50. AV aureus. Colonia Copia Felix Munatia (Lugdunum) mint. Struck 8 BCE. Obverse: AVGVSTVS DIVI F. Laureate head of Augustus facing right. Reverse: IMP XIIII in exergue. Togate Augustus seated left on curule chair set on low dais, receiving a child from a bearded barbarian man wearing a cloak. (Numismatic references: BMC 492; Calicò 235; CBN 1451; Cohen 174; RIC 200.) The coin was minted after Tiberius concluded the Bellum Germanicum begun by his younger brother. He made treaties with several nations, including the Cherusci, which involved handing over hostages, among whom might have been Arminius and Flavus.
51. AR denarius (plate 39). Colonia Copia Felix Munatia (Lugdunum) mint. Struck 8 BCE. Obverse: AVGVSTVS DIVI F. Laureate head of Augustus facing right. Reverse: IMP XIIII in exergue. Togate Augustus seated left on curule chair set on low dais, receiving a child from a bearded barbarian man wearing a cloak. (Numismatic references: BMC 493–95 = BMCRR Gaul 216–18; BN 1453–55; RIC 201a; Lyon 65; RSC 175.) The coin was minted after Tiberius concluded the Bellum Germanicum begun by his younger brother. He made treaties with several nations, including the Cherusci, which involved handing over hostages, among whom might have been Arminius and Flavus. (This is the silver version of no. 50.)
52. AV aureus. Colonia Copia Felix Munatia (Lugdunum) mint. Struck 8 (or 2) BCE. Obverse: AVGVSTVS DIVI F. Laureate head of Augustus facing right. Reverse: C CAES above, AVGVS F in exergue. C. Caesar holding reins in right hand, sword and shield in left, on horse galloping to right with a bulla around his neck. To left, an aquila between two army signa. (Numismatic references: Biaggi 90–91; BMC 498–99; BN 1457–60; Calicó 174; Lyon 68 (D287/ R310); RIC 198.) The coin may mark the occasion in 8 BCE when the 14-year-old C. Caesar accompanied Tiberius to Tres Galliae and Germania to take part in military exercises; or the ceremony to inaugurate the Forum Augustum on 12 May 2 BCE.
53. AR denarius (plate 38). Colonia Copia Felix Munatia (Lugdunum) mint. Struck 8 (or 2) BCE. Obverse: AVGVSTVS DIVI F. Laureate head of Augustus facing right. Reverse: C CAES above, AVGVS F in exergue. C. Caesar holding reins in right hand, sword and shield in left, on horse galloping to right with a bulla around his neck. To left, an aquila between two army signa. (Numismatic references: BMC 500; Lyon 69; RIC 199; RSC 40.) The coin may mark the occasion in 8 BCE when the 14-year-old C. Caesar accompanied Tiberius to Tres Galliae and Germania to take part in military exercises; or the ceremony to inaugurate the Forum Augustum on 12 May 2 BCE. (This is the silver version of no. 52.)
54. AE as. Phoenicia (Colonia Iulia Augusta Felix Berytus) mint. Struck 6–4 BCE by P. Quinctilius Varus as legatus. Obverse: IMP CAESA[R] AVGVSTVS. Bare head of Augustus facing right. Reverse: P QVINTILLVS VARVS. Two aquilae. (Numismatic references: AUB 35–36; BMC 55; Rouvier 493; RPC 4535.) A low denomination coin issued by a colonia of veterans with the approval of the legatus Augusti pro praetore.
55. AV aureus. Colonia Copia Felix Munatia (Lugdunum) mint. Struck 2 BCE– 4 CE. Obverse: CAESAR AVGVSTVS DIVI F PATER PATRIAE. Laureate head of Augustus facing right. Reverse: AVGVSTI F COS DESIG PRINC IVVENT. Caius and Lucius Caesar standing front, each resting on shield and behind each shield, a spear. Above on right lituus and on left a simpulum. In exergue C L CAESARES. (Numismatic references: BMC 515; Calicò 176; Cohen 42; RIC 206.) When the two Caesar brothers took turns to serve as princeps iuventitis they each received a silver shield and a spear from the Equester Ordo. This is the most common denarius type minted under Augustus, which continued to be struck even after the death of both young men.
56. AR denarius (plate 37). Colonia Copia Felix Munatia (Lugdunum) mint. Struck 2 BCE–4 CE. Obverse: CAESAR AVGVSTVS DIVI F PATER PATRIAE. Laureate head of Augustus facing right. Reverse: AVGVSTI F COS DESIG PRINC IVVENT. C. and L. Caesar standing front, each resting on shield and behind each shield, a spear. Above on right lituus and on left a simpulum. In exergue C L CAESARES. (Numismatic references: BMC 533; RCV 1597; RIC 207; RSC 43.) When the two Caesar brothers took turns to serve as princeps iuventitis they each received a silver shield and a spear from the Ordo Equester. (This is the silver version of no. 55.)
57. AE as. Phoenicia (Colonia Iulia Augusta Felix Berytus) mint. Struck 12–14 CE by Q. Caecilius Metellus Creticus Silanus as legatus. Obverse: IMP AVG. Bare of Augustus facing right. Reverse: PERMISSV SILANI. Two aquila and military standards. (Numismatic references: RPC 4541; Rouvier 495–96.) A low denomination coin issued by the colonia of veterans with the approval of the legatus Augusti pro praetore.
58. AR denarius (fig. 12). Colonia Copia Felix Munatia (Lugdunum) mint. Struck 13–14 CE. Obverse: CAESAR AVGVSTVS DIVI F PATER PATRIAE. Laureate head of Augustus facing right. Reverse: TI CAESAR AVG F TR POT XV. Tiberius, laureate, standing togate to right in triumphal quadriga, holding laurel and eagle-tipped sceptre; the horses’ heads all face right. (Numismatic references: BMC 512; RIC 222.) The coin celebrates Tiberius’ triumph of 23 October 12 CE for his victory in Illyricum during the Bellum Batonianum.