ROMAN IMPERATORIAL. Octavian. Autumn 30-summer 29 B.C. AR denarius. 3.58 gm. 20 mm. Italian mint, possibly Rome. His bare head right / Naval and military trophy facing, composed of helmet, cuirass, shield, and crossed spears, set on prow of galley right; crossed rudder and anchor at base; IMP CAESAR. CRI 419. RIC 265a (Augustus). RSC 119 (Augustus). Good Very Fine; well struck on a broad flan; attractively toned with iridescence; excellent portrait.

Ex Davissons Auction 20 (12 February 2004) lot 74.

Struck after Octavian's naval victory at Actium, this reverse type shows the arms and equipment of a Roman marine. Soldiers on ships had gear designed not to drag them underwater. The muscle-type cuirass was lighter and easier to remove than the chain mail used by land-based soldiers; also the smaller hexagonal shield and lightweight javelins were designed for use aboard ships.