Heritage World Coin Auctions
CICF Signature Sale 3032 10-12 April 2014
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Augustus (27 BC-AD 14). Orichalcum sestertius (32mm, 25.67 gm, 7h). Lugdunum, ca. AD 10-14. CAESAR AVGVSTVS DIVI F PATER PATRIAE, laureate head of Augustus right / ROM ET AVG in exergue, facade of the Altar of Roma and Augustus at Lugdunum, decorated with wreathes, palmettes and garlands, flanked by two Victories on columns. RIC 231a. BMCRE 565. Cohen 236. Very rare and almost never offered in this quality! Untouched surfaces, with an attractive natural reddish-brown patina. Nearly Extremely Fine. From The Lexington Collection. Although Augustus regularized the Roman coinage system and established the large orichalcum (or brass) sestertius as its foundation, coins of this denomination with his portrait were never struck in Rome during his lifetime. Late in his long reign, the important Gallic mint city of Lugdunum began striking sestertii with an idealized head of Augustus, similar to the portrait seen on the widely-circulating silver denarii of the same city, backed with the facade of the Great Altar of Lugdunum constructed by the general Nero Claudius Drusus in 12 BC. These portrait sestertii were evidently struck in relatively large numbers, but saw heavy circulation and are rarely seen today in anything other than heavily worn condition. The present example certainly ranks among the best specimens of the type we have ever seen offered, with negligible wear and completely natural, unadulterated surfaces.
Estimate: 10000-14000 USD
Augustus (27 BC-AD 14). Orichalcum sestertius (32mm, 25.67 gm, 7h). Lugdunum, ca. AD 10-14. CAESAR AVGVSTVS DIVI F PATER PATRIAE, laureate head of Augustus right / ROM ET AVG in exergue, facade of the Altar of Roma and Augustus at Lugdunum, decorated with wreathes, palmettes and garlands, flanked by two Victories on columns. RIC 231a. BMCRE 565. Cohen 236. Very rare and almost never offered in this quality! Untouched surfaces, with an attractive natural reddish-brown patina. Nearly Extremely Fine. From The Lexington Collection. Although Augustus regularized the Roman coinage system and established the large orichalcum (or brass) sestertius as its foundation, coins of this denomination with his portrait were never struck in Rome during his lifetime. Late in his long reign, the important Gallic mint city of Lugdunum began striking sestertii with an idealized head of Augustus, similar to the portrait seen on the widely-circulating silver denarii of the same city, backed with the facade of the Great Altar of Lugdunum constructed by the general Nero Claudius Drusus in 12 BC. These portrait sestertii were evidently struck in relatively large numbers, but saw heavy circulation and are rarely seen today in anything other than heavily worn condition. The present example certainly ranks among the best specimens of the type we have ever seen offered, with negligible wear and completely natural, unadulterated surfaces.
Estimate: 10000-14000 USD