Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Live Auction 6 25 Mar 2023
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Augustus Æ As of uncertain mint, North-Western(?) Hispania. Circa 27-23 BC. IMP AVG DIVI F, bare head to left; palm to left, winged caduceus to right / Celt-Iberian shield. RPC I 3 (same dies as illustration); ACIP 3301 (same dies); Vives 118-2; SNG Copenhagen 413. 10.76g, 25mm.
Near Extremely Fine; highly attractive patina. Rare.
From the collection of a Romanophile;
Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Live Auction 1, 25 July 2018, lot 363 (hammer: £800).
It is possible that the coinage listed in RPC under the title of 'uncertain mint' in north-western Hispania was actually a Roman Imperial coinage similar to that which the legate Publius Carisius struck in Emerita during the Cantabrian War (29-19 BC), with which this coin shares similarities in style and obverse titulature. The lack of identification with a city or dynast (besides Augustus) strengthens the case that this coin is a military issue commemorating the war and displaying a shield of the enemy on the reverse. The Cantabri fought off the Romans with guerrilla tactics and skill with light armour, requiring the strength of eight legions and auxiliary troops to finally be defeated. Augustus himself began the campaign from Segisama in 26 BC but was forced to retire due to ill-health, leaving his legates Caius Antistius Vetus and Publius Carisius to finish the job.
Near Extremely Fine; highly attractive patina. Rare.
From the collection of a Romanophile;
Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Live Auction 1, 25 July 2018, lot 363 (hammer: £800).
It is possible that the coinage listed in RPC under the title of 'uncertain mint' in north-western Hispania was actually a Roman Imperial coinage similar to that which the legate Publius Carisius struck in Emerita during the Cantabrian War (29-19 BC), with which this coin shares similarities in style and obverse titulature. The lack of identification with a city or dynast (besides Augustus) strengthens the case that this coin is a military issue commemorating the war and displaying a shield of the enemy on the reverse. The Cantabri fought off the Romans with guerrilla tactics and skill with light armour, requiring the strength of eight legions and auxiliary troops to finally be defeated. Augustus himself began the campaign from Segisama in 26 BC but was forced to retire due to ill-health, leaving his legates Caius Antistius Vetus and Publius Carisius to finish the job.