Lot 4043

Description

Octavian (later Augustus), (27 B.C. - A.D. 14), silver denarius, moving with Octavian at an Italian or Cisalpine Gaul mint, issued Spring 43 B.C., (3.856 grams), obv. Venus head to right, rev. trophy of Gallic arms and chariot, CAESAR IMP, (S.-, Cr.482/1, Syd, 1016, RSC Julius Caesar 15, Babelon Julia 13). Good very fine with old cabinet patina, a small banker's stamp and a small striking crack, extremely rare.

In 1978 when R.Loosley revised Roman Silver Coins Vol 1 with David Sear they followed previous writers in attributing this coin to Julius Caesar. Twenty years' later in David Sear's acclaimed "The History and Coinage of the Roman Imperators 49 - 27 BC" he reattributed this denarius (130) to the first issue of Octavian. In his valuation guide he gives this coin 8000 pounds sterling (EF) due to its rarity. Sydenham gave it rarity 9 (exceedingly rare). It was first bought by Seaby's in London from a deceased estate in England in the mid 1970s.