Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 30 29 October 2016
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Augustus AR Denarius. Colonia Patricia (?), circa 19 BC. CAESAR AVGVSTVS, bare head left / SIGNIS above, RECEPTIS below, SPQR around, round shield inscribed CL • V; aquila and signum flanking. RIC 86b. 3.82g, 19mm, 7h.
Good Extremely Fine. Struck somewhat off flan, but lightly toned with golden and blue iridescent highlights.
From the S.C. Collection;
Ex Peus Auction 393, 31 October 2007, lot 505;
Ex Kotelnikis Collection;
Ex Andrey Pyatygin Auction.
The Parthian kingdom had been a threat to Rome's eastern frontier for several decades before Augustus had become emperor, and in 53 BC three legionary eagles had been captured at the Battle of Carrhae, where the Romans suffered a crushing defeat under the command of Crassus. The loss of the legionary eagles was a source of great shame for Rome, but they were regained by Augustus following the success of his diplomacy with the Parthian king and this achievement is celebrated on the reverse type of the present piece.
The clipeus votivus, or votive shield, was an ancient custom and in his Aeneid Virgil relates that Aeneas dedicated a shield to Apollo Actius (V. 235). Given the Aeneid's prevalence as a propagandistic tale of Rome's founding, it is difficult to deny a connection between the importance of Actium to both Aeneas and Augustus, as well as the reference to Augustus' supposed line of descent from Aeneas, via his adoption by Julius Caesar.
Good Extremely Fine. Struck somewhat off flan, but lightly toned with golden and blue iridescent highlights.
From the S.C. Collection;
Ex Peus Auction 393, 31 October 2007, lot 505;
Ex Kotelnikis Collection;
Ex Andrey Pyatygin Auction.
The Parthian kingdom had been a threat to Rome's eastern frontier for several decades before Augustus had become emperor, and in 53 BC three legionary eagles had been captured at the Battle of Carrhae, where the Romans suffered a crushing defeat under the command of Crassus. The loss of the legionary eagles was a source of great shame for Rome, but they were regained by Augustus following the success of his diplomacy with the Parthian king and this achievement is celebrated on the reverse type of the present piece.
The clipeus votivus, or votive shield, was an ancient custom and in his Aeneid Virgil relates that Aeneas dedicated a shield to Apollo Actius (V. 235). Given the Aeneid's prevalence as a propagandistic tale of Rome's founding, it is difficult to deny a connection between the importance of Actium to both Aeneas and Augustus, as well as the reference to Augustus' supposed line of descent from Aeneas, via his adoption by Julius Caesar.