86
Roman Empire Coinage
Exquisite Augustus Denarius with Intricate Detail
3098
Octavian. Silver Denarius (3.9 g), 30 BC.
Un-
certain Italian mint (Rome?). Victory stand-
ing right on prow, holding wreath and palm.
Reverse:
IMP CAESAR in exergue, Emperor,
holding branch and reins, driving triumphal
quadriga right. RIC 264; HCRI 416; BMC 617;
RSC 115. Boldly struck on a full flan and well
centered. Lovely old cabinet toning.
Superb
Extremely Fine.
Sear states that this is probably the first type
of the IMP CAESAR series, having replaced an
identical type with the legend CAESAR DIVI
F. While the obverse type certainly harkens
back to Actium, the reverse commemorates
Octavian’s entry into Alexandria, where he
immediately seized the Ptolemaic treasury.
This coin, in fact, was likely struck from the first
batch of Ptolemaic silver received in Rome.
Estimated Value ........................$3,000 - 3,500
Ex The Bru Sale 3 (6 May 2011), 74; Tradart (12
December 1991), 242; Bank Leu 20 (25-26 April
1978), 197.
3099
Augustus. Silver Denarius (3.78 g), 27 BC-
AD 14.
Pergamum, 27 BC. CAESAR, bare
head of Augustus right.
Reverse:
AVGVSTVS,
bull standing right. RIC 475; BMC 662-3; RSC
28. An absolutely exceptional example, needle
sharp and well centered on a perfect flan with-
out the usual flan crack. An exquisite coin with
a high relief portrait of fine style and lovely
old cabinet toning.
Superb Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value........................ $7,000 - 8,000
Ex Triton XI (8-9 January 2008), 872.
