DI-166 | RIC I (SE) Augustus 255
Augustus
Augustus

Dynasty: Julio-Claudian
Emperor: Augustus
Authority: Caesar Augustus
Date and mint: 32 BC/29 BC - Italy


Obverse: Head of Octaviano, bare, left.
Legend:

Reverse: Victoria, draped, standing on the globe, holding a wreath in right hand and the palm branch in left.
Legend: CAESAR DIVI F

Comment: The gens Julia was one of Rome's oldest and most prestigious families, tracing its ancestry to figures such as Lucius Julius Caesar, consul in 90 BC, who played a key role in the Social War by granting Roman citizenship to the Italian allies. Gaius Julius Caesar, grandfather of the dictator and consul in 91 BC, and his father, also Gaius Julius Caesar, praetor and governor of Asia, were also prominent. Octavian, adopted by Julius Caesar, inherited this powerful family tradition. In the years of this issue (39-32 BC), Octavian was consolidating his power after Caesar's assassination. As Caesar's heir, he used coinage to strengthen his legitimacy, win the support of the legions and shape Roman public opinion, presenting himself as the savior of the Republic against Mark Antony and Lepidus. The obverse shows Octavian bare-headed, emphasizing youth and purity. The reverse, with Victory standing on a globe, is a strong declaration of universal dominion; the palm and laurel wreath evoke the military triumph he sought in his struggle for supreme power. The legend CAESAR DIVI F reinforces his link with the deified Julius Caesar and his legitimacy as adopted son and heir.

Provenance: UBS Gold & Numismatics (2008)
Price: 3,917 €