AUGUSTUS AS OCTAVIAN, (27 B.C. - A.D. 14), silver denarius, mint moving with Octavian in Italy, issued early 40 B.C. by Q. Salvius, (3.43 g), obv. bare head of Octavian to right around C CAESAR III VIR R P C, rev. thunderbolt, around Q SALVIVS IMP COS DESIG, (S.1541, Sear Imperators 300, Cr.523/1, RSC 514, Syd.1326b, BMC Gaul 88). Has an attractive even grey patina, good very fine, some weakness in places.
Ex B.A. Seaby London, acquired in March 1989 at Sydney Convention Fair.
The moneyer, Q. Salvidienus Rufus, a boyhood friend of Octavian, was made admiral in 42 B.C., and though defeated by Sextus Pompey, was later made Governor of Gaul, and designated to be Consul. Only months after this coin was struck, he betrayed Octavian, allying himself secretly with Mark Antony. This treachery resulted in his death, after the Senate declared him a public enemy.