Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XX 29-30 Oct 2020
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Octavian AR Denarius. Italian mint (Rome?), autumn 32 - summer 31 BC. Bare head to right / Venus standing to right, seen from behind, with drapery covering only her thighs, holding transverse sceptre in left hand and resting left elbow on column, holding helmet in right hand; at her left, a shield with star motif set on the ground, leaning against column; CAESAR DIVI•F across fields. RIC 250a; CRI 395; BMCRE 599 = BMCRR Rome 4333; RSC 62; BN 19-22. 3.94g, 20mm, 10h.
Extremely Fine; beautiful old cabinet tone.
From the Long Valley River Collection;
Ex Yves Gunzenreiner Collection, Leu Numismatik AG, Auction 1, 25 October 2017;
Ex Swiss private collection kept in a bank safe in Lugano since the early 1980s.
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 Venus and Pax. Illustrated by the present coin and the following lot, on which is depicted 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; beautiful old cabinet tone.
From the Long Valley River Collection;
Ex Yves Gunzenreiner Collection, Leu Numismatik AG, Auction 1, 25 October 2017;
Ex Swiss private collection kept in a bank safe in Lugano since the early 1980s.
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 Venus and Pax. Illustrated by the present coin and the following lot, on which is depicted Octavian with Pax; these types were likely intended to strengthen the belief that Caesar's heir was fully capable of bringing peace to Rome.