Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 135 21 Nov 2022
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The Roman Empire. Octavian as Augustus, 27 BC – 14 AD.
P. Petronius Turpilianus. Aureus circa 19 BC, AV 7.92 g. TVRPILIANVS – III·VIR Ivy-wreathed head of Liber r. Rev. AVGVSTO / OB·C·S within oak wreath. Bahrfeldt 177. Babelon Petronia 1 and Julia 207. C 143. BMC 5. RIC 278. CBN 108. Calicó 143.
Extremely rare, only very few specimens known. An intriguing issue with
an interesting portrait. Minor marks, otherwise extremely fine
Ex NGSA sale 4, 2006, 149.
As Rome's first emperor, Augustus bridged the gap between Republic and Empire, from imperium to auctoritas. In terms of coinage, he initially retained two numismatic relics of the Republic: the collegium of moneyers and the substantial issuance of non-Imperial portrait types. This aureus, issued in about 19 B.C., retains both of these Republican qualities, for the emperor's portrait is absent and the moneyer's name is prominent. This aureus names P. Petronius Turpilianus, who was clearly the dominant member of Augustus' earliest collegium of moneyers to sign coins at Rome, as about half of the more than forty issues of the collegium bear his name. Turpilianus struck aurei and denarii with obverses bearing the heads of Augustus, the Liber (Bacchus) and Feronia, a goddess worshipped by the Sabines and the Etrurians, and considered by the Greeks to be the goddess of flowers and of emancipation from slavery. The reverse type of AVGVSTO OB C S within an oak wreath harkens back to his being awarded the title Augustus by the senate in 27 B.C., and to the privilege he enjoyed of decorating his doorposts with an oak wreath and laurel branches. This was a highly important distinction to Augustus, who was never shy about promoting his various honours, for he maintained the official line that his powers were derived through his influence, authority and prestige (auctoritas).
P. Petronius Turpilianus. Aureus circa 19 BC, AV 7.92 g. TVRPILIANVS – III·VIR Ivy-wreathed head of Liber r. Rev. AVGVSTO / OB·C·S within oak wreath. Bahrfeldt 177. Babelon Petronia 1 and Julia 207. C 143. BMC 5. RIC 278. CBN 108. Calicó 143.
Extremely rare, only very few specimens known. An intriguing issue with
an interesting portrait. Minor marks, otherwise extremely fine
Ex NGSA sale 4, 2006, 149.
As Rome's first emperor, Augustus bridged the gap between Republic and Empire, from imperium to auctoritas. In terms of coinage, he initially retained two numismatic relics of the Republic: the collegium of moneyers and the substantial issuance of non-Imperial portrait types. This aureus, issued in about 19 B.C., retains both of these Republican qualities, for the emperor's portrait is absent and the moneyer's name is prominent. This aureus names P. Petronius Turpilianus, who was clearly the dominant member of Augustus' earliest collegium of moneyers to sign coins at Rome, as about half of the more than forty issues of the collegium bear his name. Turpilianus struck aurei and denarii with obverses bearing the heads of Augustus, the Liber (Bacchus) and Feronia, a goddess worshipped by the Sabines and the Etrurians, and considered by the Greeks to be the goddess of flowers and of emancipation from slavery. The reverse type of AVGVSTO OB C S within an oak wreath harkens back to his being awarded the title Augustus by the senate in 27 B.C., and to the privilege he enjoyed of decorating his doorposts with an oak wreath and laurel branches. This was a highly important distinction to Augustus, who was never shy about promoting his various honours, for he maintained the official line that his powers were derived through his influence, authority and prestige (auctoritas).