97
Very Rare Augustus and Caesar Denarius of Exceptional Quality
3106
Augustus, with Divus Julius Caesar. Silver Denarius (3.9 g), 27 BC-AD
14.
Rome, 17 BC. M. Sanquinius, moneyer. AVGVSTVS DIVI F, bare head
of Augustus right.
Reverse:
M SANQVI-NIVS III VIR, laureate, youthful
head of deified Julius Caesar right; above, comet with tail. RIC 338; BMC 71;
RSC 1. Well struck and perfectly centered. Lovely old cabinet toning with
lighter iridescense.
Very rare
and seldom seen this choice.
Extremely Fine.
In 17 BC a comet appeared in the heavens and was taken by the Ro-
mans to be the reappearance of the soul of Julius Caesar. With this aus-
picious appearance, Augustus and Agrippa assumed leadership of the
Xvviri sacris faciundis, the college of priests in charge of festivals, and
organized celebrations inaugurating a new age. As part of the celebra-
tions, Augustus commissioned the poet Horace to write a secular hymn,
the Carmen Saeculare, which was sung by twenty-seven maidens and
an equal number of youths on the occasion of the Ludi Saeculares.
Estimated Value ........................................................................ $6,000 - 7,000
Ex The Bru Sale 2 (18 November 2010), 74; Bank Leu 20 (25-26 April 1978),
210.
