Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 119 with Jesús Vico S.A. 6 Oct 2020
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Octavian as Augustus, 27 BC – 14 AD
Aureus, Pergamum 19-18 BC, AV 7.97 g. AVGV[STVS] Bare head r. Rev. SIGNIS / RECEPTIS Capricorn r. C 263. Bahrfeldt 144. BMC 680. RIC 521. CBN 979 (these dies). Calicó 272.
Very rare and undoubtedly among the finest specimens known of this interesting
and desirable issue. Wonderful reddish tone, almost invisible marks,
otherwise about extremely fine / good extremely fine
Privately purchased from Jesus Vico in 1990. This coin is sold with an export licence issued by the government of Spain.
The reverse type of this rare gold aureus depicts the zodiacal sign of Capricorn, the birth sign of Augustus, who was born Gaius Octavius on 23 September 63 BC. According to Suetonius, the young Octavius had never had his horoscope cast until 45 BC, when he and his friend Marcus Agrippa were being educated and trained for war at Apollonia in Illyria in preparation for a Parthian campaign planned by Julius Caesar. At this time, the two visited the astrologer Theogenes, who predicted that Octavius would become the master of Rome and the Mediterranean world. This incredible (and somewhat shocking) news caused him to keep the horoscope a secret, but it almost immediately began to come true. In 44 BC, Julius Caesar was assassinated and his will named Octavius as his adopted son and heir. Within a little more than a decade, Octavius (renamed Octavian as a sign of his adoption) had purged the Roman world of opposition and in 27 BC became its sole ruler as Augustus, the first Emperor. Theogenes and the horoscope had been right all along and now Augustus made no secret that his reign had the sanction of the heavens. Capricorn became a widely used emblem on the coins of Augustus, although it appears far more frequently on silver than on gold.
Here Capricorn is associated with a Latin legend celebrating the return of the standards captured by the Parthians from M. Crassus during his disastrous eastern campaign in 53 BC. Augustus undid this military shame by successfully negotiating the return of the legionary eagles in 20 BC. While this event is seemingly unconnected with the birth sign of the Emperor, it may be relevant that his that his horoscope was revealed at Apollonia while he was preparing for the Parthian war of Julius Caesar that never took place. Later, in 36 BC, Mark Antony failed to win back the standards as Caesar had intended, and the deed was only accomplished by Augustus in 20 BC. The type and legend represent the complete fulfilment of Octavius destiny.
Aureus, Pergamum 19-18 BC, AV 7.97 g. AVGV[STVS] Bare head r. Rev. SIGNIS / RECEPTIS Capricorn r. C 263. Bahrfeldt 144. BMC 680. RIC 521. CBN 979 (these dies). Calicó 272.
Very rare and undoubtedly among the finest specimens known of this interesting
and desirable issue. Wonderful reddish tone, almost invisible marks,
otherwise about extremely fine / good extremely fine
Privately purchased from Jesus Vico in 1990. This coin is sold with an export licence issued by the government of Spain.
The reverse type of this rare gold aureus depicts the zodiacal sign of Capricorn, the birth sign of Augustus, who was born Gaius Octavius on 23 September 63 BC. According to Suetonius, the young Octavius had never had his horoscope cast until 45 BC, when he and his friend Marcus Agrippa were being educated and trained for war at Apollonia in Illyria in preparation for a Parthian campaign planned by Julius Caesar. At this time, the two visited the astrologer Theogenes, who predicted that Octavius would become the master of Rome and the Mediterranean world. This incredible (and somewhat shocking) news caused him to keep the horoscope a secret, but it almost immediately began to come true. In 44 BC, Julius Caesar was assassinated and his will named Octavius as his adopted son and heir. Within a little more than a decade, Octavius (renamed Octavian as a sign of his adoption) had purged the Roman world of opposition and in 27 BC became its sole ruler as Augustus, the first Emperor. Theogenes and the horoscope had been right all along and now Augustus made no secret that his reign had the sanction of the heavens. Capricorn became a widely used emblem on the coins of Augustus, although it appears far more frequently on silver than on gold.
Here Capricorn is associated with a Latin legend celebrating the return of the standards captured by the Parthians from M. Crassus during his disastrous eastern campaign in 53 BC. Augustus undid this military shame by successfully negotiating the return of the legionary eagles in 20 BC. While this event is seemingly unconnected with the birth sign of the Emperor, it may be relevant that his that his horoscope was revealed at Apollonia while he was preparing for the Parthian war of Julius Caesar that never took place. Later, in 36 BC, Mark Antony failed to win back the standards as Caesar had intended, and the deed was only accomplished by Augustus in 20 BC. The type and legend represent the complete fulfilment of Octavius destiny.