Pile-on Coins of Octavian/Augustus

[Sulla80]

Suetonius paints a portrait of the emperor Augustus as not the most physically sturdy fellow who took care to do all things in moderation.

Quote

He was a light eater (for I would not omit even this detail) and as a rule ate of plain food. He particularly liked coarse bread, small fishes, handmade moist cheese, and twice-bearing green figs; and he would eat even before dinner, wherever and whenever he felt hungry. I quote word for word from some of his letters: “I ate a little bread and some dates in my carriage.” And again: “As I was on my homeward way from the Regia in my litter, I devoured an ounce of bread and a few grapes from a cluster of firm-skinned table grapes.”

-Suetonius, The Deified Augstus, LXXVI...

Augustus carefully curated his public image through literature, monuments, coinage, and public works. Here are a few coins of Augusts from the end of the 1st century BC - Augustus had his face on coins from Rome and across the provinces, there are hundred of types. Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE) Lists 629 types.  Roman Provincial Coins (RPC) list 1469 types. Coins of the Roman Republic Online (CRRO) list 31 for Octavian.

a couple of Provincial coins:

and an Imperial coin:

The Res Gestae Divi Augusti ("The Deeds of the Divine Augustus") is a monumental inscription written by Augustus himself, listing his achievements and contributions to Rome. The text was written during the life of the emperor and completed just before his death in 14 CE.  The two bronze pillars where it was originally engraved for the Mausoleum of Augustus did not survive. But there are numerous replicas including a nearly complete copy in Ankara on a Temple of Augustus & Roma and a modern copy from 1938 on the Museum of the Ara Pacis in Rome.

A detail from "A Reconstruction of the Mausoleum of Augustus (above) and a View of the Ruins (below)", a drawing in pen and black ink, brush and brown wash, red chalk by Jan Goeree (Dutch, Middelburg 1670–1731 Amsterdam), drawn before 1704

Public Domain image with Thanks to THE MET in NY.

Establishing Peace and Expanding the Empire: Augustus emphasized his role in ending the civil wars that plagued Rome before his rule and establishing a period of peace known as the Pax Romana. He notes that he expanded the Roman Empire's boundaries significantly, bringing numerous territories under Roman control, including regions in Spain, Gaul, Germany, and the East. Hisvictories and the annexation of new provinces secured and expanded Rome's power.

Restoration of the Republic: Augustus claims to have restored the Roman Republic's traditional governance structures, stating that he transferred power back to the Senate and the Roman people after consolidating his control. This accomplishment is framed as a return to constitutional norms, though in practice under a thin veneer of "republic" he put in place a system of autocratic rule.

Building and Renovation of Public Works: Augustus lists numerous public works projects, including building new temples, forums, theaters, and aqueducts, and restoring existing ones. He particularly emphasizes the construction of the Temple of Mars Ultor in the Forum of Augustus and the repair of 82 temples throughout Rome. These projects demonstrate his piety, and contribute to his image as a restorer of Roman religion and civic pride.

Generosity to the Roman People and Military: Augustus highlights his financial generosity, mentioning that he provided numerous public games and distributions of grain, money, and other gifts to the Roman citizens and soldiers. He describes how he personally funded these distributions, including his largess during his triumphs and his support for veterans by providing land and money. These acts of generosity helped to secure his support and the loyalty of the military.

Reform of the Roman Military and Creation of the Praetorian Guard: Augustus reorganized the Roman military, establishing a standing army with soldiers serving for fixed terms. He also created the Praetorian Guard, an elite unit tasked with protecting the emperor and maintaining order in Rome.

Augustus portrays himself as a benevolent ruler and the savior of Rome after years of conflict.  Augustus provided an inimitable example for stable and effective rule.  The often troubled reigns of his descendants did not live up to his example.  Would the history have been different if Mark Antony had prevailed? 

How many coins can we find in NF collections? Let's find out. 

Pile on your coins of Augustus from any of the more than 2000 types listed in various references (or anything else that you find interesting or entertaining).

Edited August 26 by Sulla80

[ominus1]

[AncientJoe]

Octavian / Augustus minted a myriad of interesting coins so it's hard not to have several even in a generalist collection like mine. I'm short for time this weekend so this is more of a photo dump than proper writeups:

 

Octavian and the Battle of Actium:

Ex. "Julius Caesar and His Legacy", May 13, 1991 coin 23; Ex. NFA 16 Dec 2, 1985 lot 322; “Leo Biaggi de Blasys’ Complete Collection of Roman Gold” number 97, Privately purchased from H. Herzfelder in 1951; Ex. Jameson Collection - Feuardent 9th June 1913, lot 22

 

Portrait aureus with Julius Caesar:

Ex CNG 45, 1998, lot 1813; Ex Jean Vinchon November 20, 1992 lot 92; Ex Munzen & Medaillen Auction 52, June 19, 1975 lot 522;  Munzen und Medaillen Auktion XXVIII (19-20 June 1964), lot 251; Otto Helbing 63, 1931 (Professor Prix), lot 290; Helbing Auktion (March 1928), lot 460

 

Capturing Egypt:

 

Divvus Julius comet:

 

Capturing Armenia:

 

Augustus' Signet Ring:

 

Triumphal Arch:

[Sulla80]

2 minutes ago, AncientJoe said:

Augustus' Signet Ring:

All great coins @AncientJoe, but I have to say that Signet Ring and Armenia Capta both grab my attention...

[Ryro]

Welp, that's a hard act to follow...

Here are a few favorite:

 

[Curtisimo]

Great coins @Sulla80.

Here is Octavian celebrating the completion of the Senate House (Curia Julia). See my write up on the building here.

Roman Republic, Octavian 
AR Denarius, 30-29BC, Italian Mint
(21 mm, 11h, 3.54 g)
Obv.: Bare head right.
Rev.: Curia Julia with IMP CAESAR on architrave, at apex, Victory standing upon globe with warriors at the angles.
Ref.: RIC, 266; RSC, 122
Ex Achille Cantoni Collection (1844-1914†), P. & P. Santamaria, lot 207 (November 29, 1920); Ex Walter Niggeler Collection (1878-1964†), Munzen und Medaillen AG & Bank Leu AG, Sammlung Walter Niggeler 2 Teil, lot 1014 (October 21, 1966); Ex Marc Poncin Collection, CNG Mail Bid Sale 72, lot 1357 (June 14, 2006)

Here is Augustus and Agrippa on a coin struck by veterans of the Egyptian campaign.

Roman Empire
Augustus & Agrippa
AE Dupondius, Nemausus mint, struck ca. 10 BC - 10 AD
Dia.: 26 mm
Wt.: 12.3 g
Obv.: IMP: Augustus, laureate bust right; Agrippa, bust left wearing rostral crown
Rev.: COL - NEM: Crocodile chained to palm tree
Ref.: RIC 158
Ex JAZ Numismatics Private Auction 87, lot 2 (May 11, 2017)

 

[CPK]

36 minutes ago, AncientJoe said:

Octavian / Augustus minted a myriad of interesting coins so it's hard not to have several even in a generalist collection like mine. I'm short for time this weekend so this is more of a photo dump than proper writeups:

 

Octavian and the Battle of Actium:

Ex. "Julius Caesar and His Legacy", May 13, 1991 coin 23; Ex. NFA 16 Dec 2, 1985 lot 322; “Leo Biaggi de Blasys’ Complete Collection of Roman Gold” number 97, Privately purchased from H. Herzfelder in 1951; Ex. Jameson Collection - Feuardent 9th June 1913, lot 22

 

Portrait aureus with Julius Caesar:

Ex CNG 45, 1998, lot 1813; Ex Jean Vinchon November 20, 1992 lot 92; Ex Munzen & Medaillen Auction 52, June 19, 1975 lot 522;  Munzen und Medaillen Auktion XXVIII (19-20 June 1964), lot 251; Otto Helbing 63, 1931 (Professor Prix), lot 290; Helbing Auktion (March 1928), lot 460

 

Capturing Egypt:

 

Divvus Julius comet:

 

Capturing Armenia:

 

Augustus' Signet Ring:

 

Triumphal Arch:

Such beautiful coins! 🤩

Isn't that AEGYPTO denarius from the Dioscuri Collection?

[Limes]

Great post @Sulla80 and coins too! And more than 2000 types? Wow, that includes provincials I assume? I'd love to add one or two issues that show up less in trade, but unfortunately the scarces issues are really expensive...! 

If Octavian can join the party, here's some of mine (I'm updating my digital coin displays, so it's two designs mixed):

As Augustus:

[CPK]

I've got a few. Starting with the very first coin listed in the entire RIC corpus - Volume 1, No. 1a:

AUGUSTUS, 27 BC - AD 14
AR Quinarius (16.11mm, 1.76g, 4h)
Struck 25-23 BC. Emerita Augusta mint
Obverse: AVGVST, bare head of Augustus right
Reverse: P CARISI LEG, Victory standing right, crowning trophy
References: RIC I 1a, RCV 1642
Attractive dark cabinet toning with a particularly fine portrait. From the Lt. Col. William Taylor McAninch Collection. (1906-1996)
"The colony of Emerita Augusta (modern Mérida) was founded in 25 BC by P. Carisius, governor of Lusitania, for veterans of legions V Alauda and X Gemina who had recently participated in Augustus' campaigns in north-western Spain."
- David R. Sear, Roman Coins and Their Values, Vol. I (p. 324.)

 

Possibly my favorite portrait coin of Augustus:

AUGUSTUS, 27 BC-AD 14
AR Denarius (20.36mm, 3.77g, 7h)
Struck 19 BC. Colonia Patricia mint
Obverse: CAESAR AVGVSTVS, bare head of Augustus right
Reverse: OB CIVIS SERVATOS in straight lines above and below oak wreath
References: RIC I 75a, RCV 1625 var.
Toned. Good metal and surfaces. A fine portrait of Caesar Augustus.

Another favorite portrait coin:

SYRIA, ANTIOCH
Time of Augustus
AR Tetradrachm (27.38mm, 12.57g, 12h)
Struck 2 BC
Obverse: ΚΑΙΣΑΡΟΣ ΣΕΒΑΣΤΟΥ, laureate head of Augustus right
Reverse: ΕΤΟΥΣ ΘΚ ΝΙΚΗΣ, Tyche of Antioch seated right on rock holding palm branch, before river god Orontes swimming right, head facing; monograms and date in right field
References: RPC I 4155
Dark toning. Attractive portrait.
Ex Seaby, London (April 1980)

[AncientJoe]

7 minutes ago, CPK said:

Such beautiful coins! 🤩

Isn't that AEGYPTO denarius from the Dioscuri Collection?

Thanks! And yes it is: coincidentally, I was offered it privately ~10 years ago and passed, then was outbid evidently by the Dioscuri owner when it was next sold. I'm very glad to finally have it come home. (The Divvus Julius denarius I posted above was also from his superb collection)

[Qcumbor]

So many beautiful coins !

Octavian with Lepidus :

 

Octavian with Marcus Antonius :

 

Octavian with Julius Caesar :

 

He, Himself :

 

Augustus :

 

Augustus :

 

Augustus with Caius & Lucius :

 

Augustus, with Rhoemetalkes and his wife Pythodoris :

 

Augustus with Agrippa :

 

Q

 

[CPK]

1 minute ago, AncientJoe said:

Thanks! And yes it is: coincidentally, I was offered it privately ~10 years ago and passed, then was outbid evidently by the Dioscuri owner when it was next sold. I'm very glad to finally have it come home. (The Divvus Julius denarius I posted above was also from his superb collection)

Yes I think I had it on my watch list when it sold. That was an incredible collection - I had a bid on a denarius of Trajan but didn't win. Still, one feels fortunate simply to have participated at all!

[CPK]

@Qcumbor's post reminded me I do have an Octavian/Divus Julius dupondius (although mine doesn't compare with his lovely example!)

GAUL, VIENNE
Struck under Octavian, 44-27 BC
AE "Heavy" Dupondius (34.07mm, 19.41g, 12h)
Struck circa 36 BC
Obverse: •IMP•CAESAR DIVI•F DIVI•IVLI, bare heads of Julius Caesar, left, and Octavian, right
Reverse: Prow of ship right with superstructure and mast; C•I•V above
References: RPC I 517
Holed, with a dark green patina. Well-rendered portraits of both Octavian and Julius Caesar.

 

And how about a rare Divus Augustus provincial with an interesting New Testament connection?

MACEDONIA, THESSALONICA
Time of Claudius
AE (22.12mm, 7.73g, 6h)
Struck AD 41-54
Obverse: ΤΙ ΚΛΑΥ ΚΑΙΣΑΡ ΣΕΒΑΣΤΟΣ ΓΕΡΜ, laureate head of Claudius right
Reverse: ΘΕΟΣ ΣΕΒΑΣΤΟΣ ΘΕΣΣΑΛΟΝΕΙΚΕΩΝ, laureate or radiate head of Divus Augustus right
References: RPC Online, Vol. I, No. 1580 (5th specimen this coin)
A rare type, lightly toned with brassy highlights. An issue of the Roman provincial mint in Thessalonica, struck around the time of the Apostle Paul's visit to that city as recorded in Acts 17.

[ambr0zie]

My first Augustus coin was a modest Antioch, but I loved it (and I still do) because the coloring, the strange flan, the portrait ... and I can't forget my feeling when I had the coin in my hand and I realized it is the coin "from the man himself"

27 mm, 8,76 g.
Syria, Seleucis and Pieria, Antioch. Augustus 27 BC-14 AD. Ӕ.
AVGVST·TR·POT, laureate head of Augustus, r., ΕΛ in monogram under the head / S C, inscription in a laurel wreath of eight leaves.
RPC I, 4261; AMC 745; McAlee 209b.

Triple portraits

23 mm, 8,70 g.
Kings of Thrace. Rhoemetalkes I and Pythodoris, with Augustus, 11 BC-12 AD. Ӕ. Unknown mint in Thrace.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΡΟΙΜΗΤΑΛΚΟΥ, jugate heads of Rhoemetalces, diademed, and his queen Pythodoris, r. / ΚΑΙΣΑΡΟΣ ΣΕΒΑΣΤΟΥ, head of Augustus, r.
RPC I, 1711; Youroukova 204–8, pl. XXIV.

A great provincial (with a duck face from the emperor?!)

17 mm, 3,24 g.
Mysia, Kyzikos. Augustus 27 BC-14 AD. Leaded Ӕ.
Bare head of Augustus, r. / ϹƐΒΑϹΤΟϹ, capricorn, l., with head turned back; monogram including ΖΚ.
RPC I, 2245; F.W. Hasluck, NC 1906, 27, no. 3; AMC 1183.

Two imperials from a group lot 

26,5 mm, 6 g.
Augustus 27 BC-14 AD. Ӕ as. Rome. 7 BC.
Issuer: P. Lurius Agrippa. CAESAR AVGVST PONT MAX TRIBVNIC POT, head of Augustus, bare, right / P LVRIVS AGRIPPA IIIVIR A A A F F. Legend surrounding S C.
RIC I (second edition) Augustus 427.

26,5 mm, 5,08 g.
Augustus 27 BC - 14 AD. Ӕ as, Rome, 7 BC.
Issuer: M. Salvius Otho. CAESAR AVGVST PONT MAX TRIBVNIC POT, head of Augustus, bare, right / M SALVIVS OTHO IIIVIR A A A F F, legend surrounding S C. Obverse countermark.
RIC I (second edition) Augustus 431.

(the countermark stil puzzles me today - that is not environmental damage) 

Finally I was able to get a respectable denarius as I simply did not want to add the most common type - with Caius and Lucius. 

17,4 mm, 3,38 g.
Augustus 27 BC–14 AD. AR denarius. Lugdunum. 12 BC.
AVGVSTVS DIVI F, bare head right / IMP XI, capricorn right, with globus between hooves.
RIC I (second edition) Augustus 174; RSC 147; BMC 465.

[Sulla80]

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

There's been many enviable coins posted in this thread.  Here's the best Augustus which I have, and one of my very favorite Sestertius types.

 

 

Attribution: RPC 2233
Date: 25 BC
Obverse: AVGVSTVS, Bust right within border of dots
Reverse: CA within circle in wreath, all within border of dots
Size: 34.58 mm
Weight: 18.6 grams

[ambr0zie]

Forgot this iconic one 

26 mm, 12,62 g.
Gaul, Nemausus. Augustus 27 BC-14 AD. Ӕ as. Struck 9/8 BC-3 AD.
IMP DIVI F, heads of Agrippa (left) and Augustus (right) back to back, Agrippa wearing combined rostral crown and laurel wreath and Augustus wearing oak-wreath / COL NEM, crocodile chained to palm-shoot with tip right; above on left a wreath with long ties.
RIC 158; RPC 524; AMC 425.

[Sulla80]

1 hour ago, Limes said:

And more than 2000 types? Wow, that includes provincials I assume?

Yes, here's the full list: (OCRE) 629 types for Augustus. (RPC) 1469 types for Augustus. (CRRO) list 31 for Octavian.

[expat]

Colonial coin

AUGUSTUS. Æ. As. (Caesaraugusta, Zaragoza, Spain) 25-11 BC
Magistrates: Gnaeus Domitius Ampianus, Gaius Vettius Lancianus
Obverse: IMP. AVGVSTVS. TRIB. POTS. XX., laureate head of Augustus to the right.
Reverse: CAES. AVGVS (clockwise from 10-1). CN. DOM. AMP. C. VET. LANC (anti clockwise from 8-2). Priest ploughing with pair of oxen to the right. Below II (with horizontal line above) VIR. (*)
RPC volume I, #320
Leaded bronze,12.85g. 31mm. Reference: Vives 148–10, GMI 328, Beltrán 16, NAH 982, AB. 327.

Imperial

Ref Augustus AE As, RIC 233, Cohen 237, BMC 567 Augustus, AE as, Lugdunum Mint, CAESAR AVGVSTVS DIVI F PATER PATRAE, laureate head right / Altar of Lugdunum, decorated with the corona civica, between laurels and stylized figures. Flanked by columns supporting facing Victories holding wreathe and palm. ROM ET AVG below. 26mm, 11.07gr

Edited August 25 by expat

[MrMonkeySwag96]

[Phil Davis]

Off the top of my head, this is what I have. I may have forgotten a few. (I do also have a handful of Augustus-as-Augustus denarii, some of the few Imperial coins I haven't de-acquired, but no pics.) More to come in next post.

 

[Phil Davis]

4 minutes ago, Phil Davis said:

 

The rest:

Edited August 26 by Phil Davis

[Sulla80]

[Sulla80]

I'll add this link for @Al Kowsky's thread that also was a topic of "Coins of Augustus" - in the the month of "August" we were both clearly on the same theme.

 

[AncientOne]

 

Uncertain mint. Augustus Æ20. 26 BC.

Obv: IMP CAESAR DIVI F AVGVSTVS COS VIII / bare head of Augustus, r.
Rev: T VOMAN M MEMM FLAM QVINQ ITER / two goddesses with kalathos seated facing, holding patera(?).
RPC I, 5413
Magistrates: Marcus Memmius Flaminius (duovir quinquennalis for the second time) ; Titus Vomanius (duovir quinquennalis for the second time).

 

Caria, Bargylia. Augustus Æ20.

Obv: Bare head of Augustus (?), r.
Rev: ΒΑΡΓΥΛΙΗΤΩΝ; veiled facing bust of Artemis Kindyas.
RPC I, 2719.

 

Mysia, Lampsacus. Uncertain reign, Augustus Æ16

Obv: ϹƐΒΑϹΤΟΥ ΛΑΜΨΑΚΗ / laureate head of Augustus (?), r.
Rev: ΙƐΡΑ ϹΥΝΚΛΗΤΟϹ / draped bust of Senate, r.
RPC I, 2278

 

Phrygia, Laodicea ad Lycum. Augustus Æ14. Sosthenes, magistrate.

Obv: ΣEBAΣTOΣ, bare head right.
Rev: ΛAOΔIKEΩN ΣΩΣΘENHΣ, Zeus Laodikeios standing left, holding eagle and staff; wreath to left enclosing Z.
RPC 2896; SNG Copenhagen 553; BMC 147.

 

Macedonia, Thessalonica. Augustus AE22

Obv: KAIΣAP ΣEBAΣTOΣ / Bare head r.
Rev: ΘEΣΣAΛONIKEΩN in wreath.

 

Lydia, Sardes. Augustus AE20. Grammateus Diodoros son of Hermophilos

Augustus, 27 BC - 14 AD bronze of Diodorus son of Hermophilou.
Obv: SEBASTOU head of Augustus r.
Rev: SARDIANWN - DIODWROS / ERMOFILOU Lydios Zeus standing, holding scepter in left, eagle on his outstretched right hand.

 

Achaea. Epirus, Nikopolis, AE18. Augustus Divus (under Hadrian) / Boar’s head prow

Obv: AVGOVCTO CKTICTHC, Head of Augustus r., bare.
Rev: NΕIΚΟΠΟ(Λ) ΕW(C), Boar’s head prow, r.
Oikonomidou Augustus 56-57

Nikopolis, Epirus was founded in 28 BC by Octavian in memory of his victory over Antony and Cleopatra at Actium.