Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XX 29-30 Oct 2020
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Augustus AR Denarius. Uncertain Spanish mint (Colonia Caesaraugusta?), 19-18 BC. Head of Augustus to right, wearing corona civica (oak wreath) / Two laurel trees, CAESAR above, AVGVSTVS below. RIC 33a; BMCRE 352; RSC 47; CBN 1282-4. 3.73g, 22mm, 5h.
Good Extremely Fine. Rare; the best preserved example of this important historical type offered at auction in the past 20 years.
From the Long Valley River Collection;
Ex Exceptional Roman Denarii Collection, Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Auction 80, 3 June 2014, lot 3104 (hammer: USD 31,000);
Ex Alberto Campana Collection, Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 64, 17-18 May 2012, lot 1033 (hammer: CHF 40,000);
Ex Auktionshaus H. D. Rauch GmbH, Auction 82, 23 April 2008, lot 203 and coverpiece.
When the Roman Senate convened on 16 January 27 BC, Octavian formally handed back all power to the Senate, who in return conferred upon him the titles of Augustus and Princeps, and awarded him a golden shield inscribed with his virtues that was placed in the Curia Julia. According to Cassius Dio (L.53), "in addition to the numerous honours already conferred on Augustus, it was ordained by the Senate and people that laurel trees should be planted in front of his palace, and oaken crowns suspended on them." The oaken crown, or corona civica, was a military decoration held in the greatest esteem by all citizens of the Republic, and was awarded for saving the life of a fellow citizen in battle. The laurel meanwhile, was since time immemorial the prize of the victor, and in Rome was worn specifically by the triumphator, who was - only for a day - above his fellow-citizens and ordinary mortals. It was also the tree sacred to Apollo, which since archaic times had flanked the precincts of the oldest priesthoods, at the Regia, the Temple of Vesta, and the seat of the flamines and pontifices. Laden thus with ancient symbolism, these tokens served to sacralise the home of the man who had just been called Augustus, to elevate him to a position of near divinity, and to perpetually commemorate the Princeps as, in the words of Cassius Dio, "the perpetual conqueror of the enemies, and saviour of the citizens of the Republic". The golden shield, civic crown and laurel trees are all intimately connected, being the rewards bestowed on Octavian, now called Augustus, for his merit in restoring the state to the Senate and People of Rome, and as such coins and monuments frequently depict the shield surrounded by the oak wreath or flanked by the two laurels. Ultimately however, they all refer directly but discreetly to Octavian's victory at Actium which delivered the entire Roman world into his hands, hence their association with the winged Victoria on the coins and monuments.
Good Extremely Fine. Rare; the best preserved example of this important historical type offered at auction in the past 20 years.
From the Long Valley River Collection;
Ex Exceptional Roman Denarii Collection, Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Auction 80, 3 June 2014, lot 3104 (hammer: USD 31,000);
Ex Alberto Campana Collection, Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 64, 17-18 May 2012, lot 1033 (hammer: CHF 40,000);
Ex Auktionshaus H. D. Rauch GmbH, Auction 82, 23 April 2008, lot 203 and coverpiece.
When the Roman Senate convened on 16 January 27 BC, Octavian formally handed back all power to the Senate, who in return conferred upon him the titles of Augustus and Princeps, and awarded him a golden shield inscribed with his virtues that was placed in the Curia Julia. According to Cassius Dio (L.53), "in addition to the numerous honours already conferred on Augustus, it was ordained by the Senate and people that laurel trees should be planted in front of his palace, and oaken crowns suspended on them." The oaken crown, or corona civica, was a military decoration held in the greatest esteem by all citizens of the Republic, and was awarded for saving the life of a fellow citizen in battle. The laurel meanwhile, was since time immemorial the prize of the victor, and in Rome was worn specifically by the triumphator, who was - only for a day - above his fellow-citizens and ordinary mortals. It was also the tree sacred to Apollo, which since archaic times had flanked the precincts of the oldest priesthoods, at the Regia, the Temple of Vesta, and the seat of the flamines and pontifices. Laden thus with ancient symbolism, these tokens served to sacralise the home of the man who had just been called Augustus, to elevate him to a position of near divinity, and to perpetually commemorate the Princeps as, in the words of Cassius Dio, "the perpetual conqueror of the enemies, and saviour of the citizens of the Republic". The golden shield, civic crown and laurel trees are all intimately connected, being the rewards bestowed on Octavian, now called Augustus, for his merit in restoring the state to the Senate and People of Rome, and as such coins and monuments frequently depict the shield surrounded by the oak wreath or flanked by the two laurels. Ultimately however, they all refer directly but discreetly to Octavian's victory at Actium which delivered the entire Roman world into his hands, hence their association with the winged Victoria on the coins and monuments.