Augustus, 27 BC-AD 14. Denarius (Silver, 19 mm, 4.00 g, 11 h), Rome. P. Petronius Turpilianus, circa 19 BC. [CAE]SAR AVGVSTVS Bare head of Augustus to right. Rev. TVRPILIANVS [III VIR] Tarpeia standing facing, both hands raised, half buried by pile of shields. BMC 29. CBN 157. Cohen 494. RIC 299. Lightly toned and unusually attractive, with a lovely reverse. Light scratches and tiny die breaks on the obverse and a metal flaw on the reverse, otherwise, good very fine.



This silver denarius, issued by the moneyer P. Petronius Turpilianus around 19 BC, evokes his Sabine ancestry by depicting the dramatic death of the Roman maiden Tarpeia, who betrayed Rome to the Sabines and was crushed beneath their shields. The reverse shows Tarpeia buried to the waist, her hands raised - likely in fear. The type underscores the Roman moral code of loyalty to one’s country, and the fate that awaited those who violated it.