Heritage World Coin Auctions
NYINC Signature Sale 3071 6-7 Jan 2019
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Ancients
Octavian, Sole Imperator (30-27 BC). AV aureus (21mm, 7.90 gm, 6h). NGC Choice XF 5/5 - 3/5. Uncertain mint in Italy, autumn 30 BC-summer 29 BC. Draped bust of Diana Siciliensis right with bare shoulders, hair drawn back and coiled into two rolls on top and back of head; bow and quiver over left shoulder / IMP • CAESAR, legend on frieze of tetrastyle temple containing a naval and military trophy set on prow; triskeles in pediment, aplustre at roof corners. RIC I 273. Calicó 206. Beautiful style with satiny surfaces.
From the Morris Collection. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 41 (20 November 2007), lot 36; Numismatica Ars Classica 23 (19 March 2002), lot 1454.
The naval trophy depicted on the reverse of this rare and beautiful aureus celebrates the two great naval victories that secured Octavian's bid for supreme power-- off Naulochus Cape near Sicily over the "pirate king" Sextus Pompey in 36 BC, and over his rival triumvir Mark Antony and his Egyptian consort Cleopatra VII at Actium in 31 BC. The image on the obverse is likely that of Diana Siciliensis, an image of the huntress goddess worshipped on Sicily, and thus a further allusion to the defeat of Sextus Pompey.
HID02901242017
Estimate: 5000-7000 USD
Octavian, Sole Imperator (30-27 BC). AV aureus (21mm, 7.90 gm, 6h). NGC Choice XF 5/5 - 3/5. Uncertain mint in Italy, autumn 30 BC-summer 29 BC. Draped bust of Diana Siciliensis right with bare shoulders, hair drawn back and coiled into two rolls on top and back of head; bow and quiver over left shoulder / IMP • CAESAR, legend on frieze of tetrastyle temple containing a naval and military trophy set on prow; triskeles in pediment, aplustre at roof corners. RIC I 273. Calicó 206. Beautiful style with satiny surfaces.
From the Morris Collection. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 41 (20 November 2007), lot 36; Numismatica Ars Classica 23 (19 March 2002), lot 1454.
The naval trophy depicted on the reverse of this rare and beautiful aureus celebrates the two great naval victories that secured Octavian's bid for supreme power-- off Naulochus Cape near Sicily over the "pirate king" Sextus Pompey in 36 BC, and over his rival triumvir Mark Antony and his Egyptian consort Cleopatra VII at Actium in 31 BC. The image on the obverse is likely that of Diana Siciliensis, an image of the huntress goddess worshipped on Sicily, and thus a further allusion to the defeat of Sextus Pompey.
HID02901242017
Estimate: 5000-7000 USD