Lot 4514

Description

Augustus as Octavian, (27 B.C. - A.D. 14), silver denarius, uncertain Italian mint (probably Brundisium, or Rome), issued Autumn 30 B.C. (3.69 g), obv. Victory draped standing to right on prow, right hand holds wreath and left hand a palm, rev. IMP CAESAR in exergue, Octavian standing in ornamental slow quadriga to right, holding branch in right hand and reins in left hand, (S.1555, RIC 264, C.115, BMC 617). Slightly off centre on obverse and mild pitting on reverse, otherwise good very fine - nearly extremely fine and rare.

Ex Noble Numismatics Auction Sale 98 (lot 5281) and previously from V Auctions sale 265, lot 95 and Lanz sale 128, lot 210, with ticket.
This coin commemorates Octavian's fresh victory at Actium. The obverse, showing Victory standing on a prow, is reminiscent of the type featured on the coins of Demetrius Poliorcetes, and reflects the manner of Octavian's victory. The reverse displays Octavian as the victor, involved in the triumphal procession in Rome, which wended its way from the Forum to the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus. This victory, however, was portrayed as being over the foreign queen Cleopatra, rather than Antony and those Romans who supported him (courtesy of CNG).