Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

Octavian. Silver Denarius (3.87 g), 31-30 BC. Uncertain Italian mint (Rome?). Bare head of Octavian left. Reverse CAESAR DIVI F, Victory standing left on globe, holding wreath and palm. RIC 254b; HCRI 407; BMC 603; RSC 64. Very scarce and seldom seen like this. Boldly struck on an exceptionally broad flan with a fine sensitive portrait of the future Augustus. Lovely old cabinet tone with hints of iridescense. Superb Extremely Fine.

Octavian's coinage of 31-30 BC is filled with the imagery of his recent victory over Mark Antony, such as on the reverse of this splendid coin. Here Victory is shown with her wreath and victory palm atop the celestial globe, signifying the end of the civil wars and world dominion.
Estimated Value $8,000 - 9,000.
Ex UBS 78 (9-10 September 2008), 1226; Tinchant Collection.