Lot 4796

Description

Augustus, in memorial of Julius Caesar, (27 B.C. - A.D. 14), silver denarius, type of Rome mint, issued 17 B.C. by M. Sanquinius, (3.53 g), obv. around AVGVST DI VI F LVDOS SAE, herald of the Ludi Saeculares (Saecular Games) standing left, wearing long robe reaching to ankles and helmet with two long feathers, and holding winged caduceus upright in right hand and round shield, [ornamented with six-pointed star], rev.around M SANQVI NIVS III VIR, youthful laureate head of deified Julius Caesar right, above, a comet with four rays and a tail, (S.1622, RIC I 340, RSC Julius Caesar 6, BMCRE 70 = BMCRR Rome 4584, BN 273-276). Fine or better, very rare.

Ex Dr. Adrian Carr Collection and purchased from Mike Smith in 2004.
The Ludi Saeculares or Secular Games had been celebrated in Rome since the 4th century B.C. The disturbed times did not permit them to be held in 46 B.C., and they were not reinstated by Augustus until 17 B.C., when the first coins marking the event were struck.
See note above.