Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

Augustus. Silver Denarius (3.80 g), 27 BC-AD 14. Colonia Patricia(?), ca. 19 BC. CAESAR AVGVSTVS, bare head of Augustus left. Reverse IOV TO[N], hexastyle temple of Jupiter containing statue of the god standing left, holding thunderbolt and scepter. RIC 64; BMC p. 64, note; RSC 180. Boldly struck and well centered. Delicate golden iridescent toning. Extremely Fine.

The temple of Jupiter Tonans was vowed by Augustus in 26 BC after his narrow escape from lightening in the Cantabrian campaign and finally dedicated in 22 BC (Suetonius, Vita Augusti 29.91). The temple was originally dedicated to Jupiter Fulgens and was located near the Campus Martius. The cult image it contained which is shown inside the temple on this coin, was by the 4th century Greek sculptor, Leochares, according to Pliny (Hist. Nat. 39.79).
Estimated Value $5,000 - 6,000.
Ex Goldberg 74 (4 June 2013), 3557; Roma IV (30 September 2012), 515.