Augustus, with Agrippa, 27 BC-AD 14. Denarius (Silver, 18 mm, 3.75 g, 10 h), C. Sulpicius Platorinus, moneyer, Rome, 13 BC. CAESAR AVGVSTVS Bare head of Augustus to right. Rev. M AGRIPPA / PLATORINVS III VIR Bare head of Agrippa to right. BMC 112. CBN 533. Cohen 3. RIC 408. An exceptional example of this rare issue, well struck, lightly toned and undoubtedly among the finest known. Tiny marks and with a few very minor areas of porosity, otherwise, good extremely fine.



This spectacular coin shows one of the most powerful duos in Roman history: Augustus and his right-hand man, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa. Although little is known about Agrippa's early life, it is clear that he was of relatively modest birth. He first rose to prominence when he accompanied Octavian to Italy after Caesar's assassination in 44 BC. During the subsequent struggle against Caesar's assassins and the challenges of the Second Triumvirate, Octavian emerged as a shrewd political strategist, while Agrippa proved himself to be a highly skilled military commander. Agrippa's two greatest achievements include his defeat of Sextus Pompey's fleet at Naulochus in 36 BC and, most notably, his victory at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC, where he triumphed over the forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra - an event that marked the end of two decades of political turmoil.

In recognition of his accomplishments, Agrippa was rewarded with significant political advancement. In 28 BC, he married into the imperial family by taking Octavian's niece, Claudia Marcella the Elder, as his wife. After the death of Marcellus, Augustus' intended heir, in 23 BC, a new arrangement was made in 21 BC: Agrippa married Julia the Elder, Augustus' only biological child, effectively marking him as the emperor's new heir. Despite Julia's reputation for adultery, the marriage was successful enough to produce five children. In 18 BC, Agrippa was granted tribunician powers, which nearly placed him on equal political footing with the emperor. It was likely the renewal of these powers in 13 BC that prompted the issuance of these fine denarii featuring the portraits of the two men. Tragically, the following year, Agrippa died unexpectedly of illness while on campaign, leaving Augustus bereft of both an heir and a loyal friend. A grand funeral was held, during which Augustus delivered the eulogy, and Agrippa's ashes were interred in the Mausoleum of Augustus, ensuring that, as long as Rome stood, the emperor and his general would rest side by side.