Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 36 27 May 2017
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Octavian AR Denarius. Italian mint (Rome?), autumn 32 - summer 31 BC. Bare head right / Venus standing right, seen from behind, half nude with drapery hanging low beneath her posterior, holding transverse sceptre in left hand, resting left elbow on column, and holding helmet in right hand; shield with star motif leaning against column to left, CAESAR-DIVI•F across fields. RIC 250a; CRI 395; RSC 62; BMCRE 599 = BMCRR Rome 4333; BN 19-22. 3.86g, 20mm, 1h.
Extremely Fine; banker's mark on obv. Well centred, lightly toned. Rare.
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. On this type and RIC 251, Octavian and Venus swap obverse for reverse in the first instance, followed on RIC 252 and 253 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; banker's mark on obv. Well centred, lightly toned. Rare.
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. On this type and RIC 251, Octavian and Venus swap obverse for reverse in the first instance, followed on RIC 252 and 253 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.