Pre-Long Beach Auction #91

Octavian. Silver Denarius (3.66 g), 30-29 BC Choice VF. Uncertain Italian mint (Rome?). Laureate head of Octavian, as Apollo, right. Reverse: IMP CAESAR across field, statue of Octavian, holding spear and parazonium, atop rostral column ornamented with two anchors and six beaks of galleys. RIC 271; HCRI 423; BMC 633; RSC 124. Very scarce. Charming style and lovely multi-color toning. Choice Very Fine.
Sear notes that the combination of the head of Octavian as Apollo with the reverse type of the rostral column, two of which the Senate had voted for Octavian, suggests that it was the latter of the two represented on this coin: that is, the Actian column in honor of his victory over Mark Antony and Cleopatra at Actium as opposed to the column decreed in his honor for his victory of Sextus Pompey in 36 BC. Estimated Value $800 - 900

Tom Peterson collection; Private purchase from Tom Cederline.