Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XIII 23 March 2017
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Octavian AR Denarius. Italian mint (Rome?), autumn 32 - summer 31 BC. Bare head right / Venus standing right, seen from back and with drapery covering only her thighs, holding transverse sceptre in left hand, resting left elbow on column, and holding helmet in right hand; on left, shield with star motif set on ground, leaning against column; CAESAR DIVI•F across fields. RIC 250a; CRI 395; RSC 62; BMCRE 599 = BMCRR Rome 4333; BN 19-22. 4.09g, 20mm, 11h.
Extremely Fine.
In contrast to the singular type seen in Marc Antony's 'Legionary' series, the coinage of Octavian was carefully constructed to send a powerful message reinforcing his divine ancestry, as well as his position as Caesar's true heir. Part of this message is conveyed through the use of two interesting pairs of types that bear reference to directly opposed attributes, Venus and Pax. Illustrated by the present coin and the following three lots, on which Octavian and Venus swap obverse for reverse in the first instance, followed by Octavian with Pax, these types were likely intended to strengthen the belief that Caesar's heir was fully capable of bringing peace to Rome.
Extremely Fine.
In contrast to the singular type seen in Marc Antony's 'Legionary' series, the coinage of Octavian was carefully constructed to send a powerful message reinforcing his divine ancestry, as well as his position as Caesar's true heir. Part of this message is conveyed through the use of two interesting pairs of types that bear reference to directly opposed attributes, Venus and Pax. Illustrated by the present coin and the following three lots, on which Octavian and Venus swap obverse for reverse in the first instance, followed by Octavian with Pax, these types were likely intended to strengthen the belief that Caesar's heir was fully capable of bringing peace to Rome.