Lot 4793

Description

Augustus, (27 B.C. - A.D. 14), silver denarius, uncertain Western mint (Colonia Patricia or Nemausus), issued c.19-18 B.C. (3.77 g), obv. laureate head of Augustus to right, dotted border, rev. S P Q R on corners around a shield with CL V on shield between two laurel branches, CAESAR above and AVGVSTVS below, (S.1602, cf.RIC 52a, RSC 51, BMC 354). Well centred, lightly toned, extremely fine and very rare in this condition.

Ex Dr. Adrian Carr Collection and purchased from Jaggards on 21 November 1994 for $1275, previously from the Richard Williams Collection Noble Numismatics Sale 45 (lot 1788) who purchased it from Coin Galleries in 1981.
Historically this coin is extremely important. The centre of the reverse of this coin depicts the 'Shield of Courage' (CL. V = clupeus virtutis) which is a golden shield voted to Augustus in 27 BC and hung in the Senate. According to a marble copy from Arles, the inscription on it read: "The Senate and People of Rome gave to Commander Caesar Son of the God Caesar, when consul for the eight time, this shield for his courage, clemency, justice and righteousness towards the gods and the fatherland". Either side of the shield are laurel trees which by Senate decree he was allowed to have growing outside his door in honour of Apollo, the god whom he regarded as the patron of his victory at Actium. Above and below the abbreviated form of the emperor's new name, CAESAR AVGVSTVS.