Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XIV 21 Sep 2017
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Octavian AR Denarius. Military mint travelling with Octavian in Italy, spring-summer 42 BC. Bare head right, slightly bearded; CAESAR before, III•VIR•R•P•C behind / Wreath set on curule chair (without sculpted eagle supports) inscribed CAESAR•DIC•PER (partially ligate); S•C in exergue. Cf. Crawford 497/2c-d; cf. CRI 137-137a. 3.53g, 20mm, 8h.
Extremely Fine. Unique, unpublished and numismatically important.
This unique and previously unknown coin fills an important gap in Octavian's numismatic record. His previous issues depicting the equestrian statue voted to him by the conscript fathers of the Senate use the formula S•C to emphasise his constitutional and officially sanctioned military command, as does his subsequent issue bearing the head of Mars and legionary standards. That the intervening issue which displays the gilded sella curulis of his adoptive father Julius Caesar, and a wreath placed upon the empty seat, made no mention of the legality of his command is strange.
The present coin reverses the direction of the obverse legend, and like Crawford 497/2d does not have sculpted eagle supports on the curule chair. Now present is the very clear S•C in the exergue.
A unique and previously unknown denarius of Octavian is a very uncommon thing indeed. We may suppose that this coin's design was the final variation of the Crawford 497 type, and was produced for only a very brief time before being superseded.
Extremely Fine. Unique, unpublished and numismatically important.
This unique and previously unknown coin fills an important gap in Octavian's numismatic record. His previous issues depicting the equestrian statue voted to him by the conscript fathers of the Senate use the formula S•C to emphasise his constitutional and officially sanctioned military command, as does his subsequent issue bearing the head of Mars and legionary standards. That the intervening issue which displays the gilded sella curulis of his adoptive father Julius Caesar, and a wreath placed upon the empty seat, made no mention of the legality of his command is strange.
The present coin reverses the direction of the obverse legend, and like Crawford 497/2d does not have sculpted eagle supports on the curule chair. Now present is the very clear S•C in the exergue.
A unique and previously unknown denarius of Octavian is a very uncommon thing indeed. We may suppose that this coin's design was the final variation of the Crawford 497 type, and was produced for only a very brief time before being superseded.