Augustus, 27 BC-AD 14. Denarius (Silver, 18 mm, 3.70 g, 6 h), uncertain eastern mint (in Pannonia?), circa 12 BC. CA-ES-AR• Youthful bare head of Augustus to right; all within oak wreath. Rev. AVG-VST• Candalabrum decorated with ram's heads; all within a floral wreath entwined with two bucrania and three paterae. BMC 684. Cohen 2. RIC 540. Very rare. Beautifully toned and of splendid style. The obverse struck from a slightly worn die as usual, otherwise, extremely fine.


There has been some dispute over the dating of this enigmatic issue, which portrays Augustus with an unusually juvenile face. It has traditionally been connected to the ludi saeculares in 17 BC, but more recent research indicates that it may have been struck in 12 BC in Pannonia to pay the Danubian legions after the sudden decease of their beloved leader Agrippa.