| Numismatica Ars Classica > Auction 143 | Auction date: 7 May 2024 |
| Lot number: 477 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction - Bid on this lot  | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: The Dioscuri Collection. The Roman Empire. Octavian 32 – 27 and as Augustus, 27 BC – 14 AD. Roma M. Sanquinius. Denarius circa 17 BC, AR 18 mm, 3.85 g. AVGVSTVS – DIVI F Bare head of Augustus r. Rev. M SANQVI – NIVS III VIR Laureate, youthful head of deified Julius Caesar r.; above, comet with tail. C 1. BMC 71. RIC 338. CBN 278. Very rare and possibly the finest specimen known. Two portraits of superb style perfectly struck and centred on a full flan. Wonderful iridescent tone and good extremely fine Ex Hess-Leu 5th May 1965, 362; Leu 72, 1998, 408; NAC 27, 2004, 295 and NAC 86, 2015, 70 sales. This type showing the comet which appeared in the summer of 44 BC once again likely relates to the Ludi Saeculares (Secular Games). Where the earlier issues only showed the comet (as in lots 52 & 53), here the coin would also include what would prove to be the last image of the deified Julius Caesar who would not appear again until restoration issues more than a century later. Of interest here with the portrait of Caesar is that it no longer looks like earlier portraits but has taken on a strong resemblance to Augustus. There can be little doubt that this was an intentional effort by the engravers. Estimate: 15000 CHF |  |
