| Roma Numismatics Ltd > E-Sale 118 | Auction date: 8 April 2024 |
| Lot number: 1250 Price realized: 3,600 GBP (Approx. 4,553 USD / 4,195 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Augustus AV Aureus. Italian mint (Rome?), 27 BC. CAESAR•COS•VII•CIVIBVS•SERVATEIS, bare head to right / AVGVSTVS, eagle with spread wings and head turned to left, standing facing upon corona civica flanked by S-C; behind, two laurel branches. RIC I 277; BN 911 (Ephesus); C. 30; BMCRE 656; Calicó 173. 7.86g, 21mm, 9h. Near Very Fine. Extremely Rare; an important type bearing powerful imagery steeped in symbolism. Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 56, 9 May 2019, lot 768; Ex H. D. Rauch 106, 10 April 2018, lot 166 (hammer: EUR 6,500). This issue is believed to have been the first struck after Octavian was awarded the name Augustus at the senate meeting of January 16, 27 BC. Octavian formally handed back all power to the Roman Senate, who in return conferred upon him the titles of Augustus and Princeps and according to Dio Cassius, "in addition to numerous honours already conferred on Augustus, it was ordained by the Senate and people that laurel trees should be planted in front of his palace, and oaken crowns suspended on them, as though he were the perpetual conqueror of the enemies, and saviour of the citizens of the Republic." This issue bears testament to these honours, and while the prominent usage of an eagle - the sacred emblem of Jupiter - drawing a clear parallel between Jupiter's status as master of all the Gods and Augustus' dominion over all the Roman world, with the formula SC (Senatus Consulto, usually absent on precious metal coinage), it confirms the Senate's acceptance of Augustus as king in all but name. Thus this coin has been considered to represent the end of the old Republic and the beginning of a new era - the inaugural issue of the Roman Empire. Estimate: 3000 GBP |  |
