Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XII 29 September 2016
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Augustus AR Denarius. Pergamum, 27 BC. CAESAR, bare head right / AVGVSTVS, heifer standing to right. RIC 475; RSC 28; BMCRR East 284-5 = BMCRE 662-3; BN 941-3. 3.64g, 21mm, 1h.
Good Extremely Fine; hairline flan crack.
Among the first coins to be struck bearing the new title Augustus, this denarius is of exceptional style and engraved with beautiful craftsmanship. Struck in Pergamum, the reverse type of the charging bull or heifer may be a reference to the famous type of Thurium, a city to which Octavian's family had a connection: Suetonius relates that Gaius Octavius, Augustus' father, defeated a Spartacist army near the town. Due to the high regard in which the family was held in the town Augustus was granted the surname Thurinus, and thus the type has a primarily personal illusion to him. An alternative theory is that it is based on Myron's famous bronze heifer, much admired in antiquity. Augustus was personally aware of the sculptor's work as he is known to have restored Myron's Apollo to Ephesos, which Marc Antony had taken.
Good Extremely Fine; hairline flan crack.
Among the first coins to be struck bearing the new title Augustus, this denarius is of exceptional style and engraved with beautiful craftsmanship. Struck in Pergamum, the reverse type of the charging bull or heifer may be a reference to the famous type of Thurium, a city to which Octavian's family had a connection: Suetonius relates that Gaius Octavius, Augustus' father, defeated a Spartacist army near the town. Due to the high regard in which the family was held in the town Augustus was granted the surname Thurinus, and thus the type has a primarily personal illusion to him. An alternative theory is that it is based on Myron's famous bronze heifer, much admired in antiquity. Augustus was personally aware of the sculptor's work as he is known to have restored Myron's Apollo to Ephesos, which Marc Antony had taken.