Augustus' enigmatic juvenile portrait issue
Lot 1821
Augustus, 27 BC-AD 14. Denarius (Silver, 18 mm, 3.70 g, 6 h), uncertain 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. Beautifully toned and of splendid style. The obverse struck from a slightly worn die as usual, otherwise, extremely fine.

Ex Leu 3, 27 October 2018, 217, Hess-Divo 332, 31 May 2017, 87, Classical Numismatic Group 94, 18 September 2013, 94, Numismatica Genevensis 7, 27 November 2012, 330 and Münzen & Medaillen FPL 482, October 1985, 26.

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.
Starting price:
1000 CHF
Hammer price:
4800 CHF
Bid increment:
Closed
Minimum bid:
Closed
Number of bids:
Time left:
Closing time: 25-Feb-24, 15:37:30 CET
All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer's fee.

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