Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XXII 7-8 Oct 2021
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Octavian AR Denarius. Uncertain mint, 28 BC. CAESAR • DIVI • F COS • VI, bare head to right; capricorn to right below bust truncation / AEGYPTO CAPTA in two lines, crocodile to right between. RIC I 545; CRI 432; BMCRE 653 = BMCRR East 246; RSC 4. 3.82g, 20mm, 11h.
Extremely Fine; attractively toned. Rare.
From the inventory of a German dealer.
Bearing the Nile crocodile as the sole element of the reverse design, and with the simple legend conveying a succinct message, this coin proudly announces Octavian's annexation of Egypt to the Empire. After the Battle of Actium, Octavian invaded Egypt in August 30 BC and with the conquest that followed both assured his supremacy by the death of Marc Antony and Cleopatra, and guaranteed his power through the great wealth of Egypt and the grain supply that could be harnessed for Rome. The Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, the last of the great Hellenistic kingdoms, had been reduced to the status of a Roman province.
However, this coin is more than just a propagandistic type proclaiming the achievements of Rome's de-facto ruler to the masses, as the subtle imagery makes an important statement about Octavian himself. In contrast to the issues of this type minted in Italy, which bear a lituus on the obverse in reference to Octavian's membership of the priestly College of Augurs, those struck in the East bear the Zodiac sign of the Capricorn under the bust truncation. Appropriately for this reverse type, in ancient mythology the origins of the Capricorn could be found in Egypt. Represented as a goat with a fish tail, it is often thought to be a representation of Pan escaping an attack by the monster Typhon for, having jumped into the Nile, the half of Pan's body which was submerged was transformed into a fish.
Extremely Fine; attractively toned. Rare.
From the inventory of a German dealer.
Bearing the Nile crocodile as the sole element of the reverse design, and with the simple legend conveying a succinct message, this coin proudly announces Octavian's annexation of Egypt to the Empire. After the Battle of Actium, Octavian invaded Egypt in August 30 BC and with the conquest that followed both assured his supremacy by the death of Marc Antony and Cleopatra, and guaranteed his power through the great wealth of Egypt and the grain supply that could be harnessed for Rome. The Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, the last of the great Hellenistic kingdoms, had been reduced to the status of a Roman province.
However, this coin is more than just a propagandistic type proclaiming the achievements of Rome's de-facto ruler to the masses, as the subtle imagery makes an important statement about Octavian himself. In contrast to the issues of this type minted in Italy, which bear a lituus on the obverse in reference to Octavian's membership of the priestly College of Augurs, those struck in the East bear the Zodiac sign of the Capricorn under the bust truncation. Appropriately for this reverse type, in ancient mythology the origins of the Capricorn could be found in Egypt. Represented as a goat with a fish tail, it is often thought to be a representation of Pan escaping an attack by the monster Typhon for, having jumped into the Nile, the half of Pan's body which was submerged was transformed into a fish.