Octavian, 44-27 BC. Denarius (Silver, 18 mm, 3.78 g, 6 h), with Ti. Sempronius Gracchus, moneyer, Rome, 40. DIVI - IVLI•F Bare head of Octavian to right, wearing a short beard. Rev. TI•SEMPRON - GRACCVS / •Q•DESIG• - •III•VIR• Signum, aquila, aratrum (plough) and decempeda (measuring rod). Babelon (Julia) 125 and (Sempronia) 10. Crawford 525/2. CRI 326. RBW 1810. Sydenham 1127. Rare. A wonderful piece, lightly toned and well struck for this difficult issue, and with a spectacular portrait. A few light marks, otherwise, about extremely fine.


This beautiful denarius of Octavian features a bearded portrait of the Triumvir, a symbol of respect in Roman culture for someone recently deceased - especially those murdered, like Julius Caesar. Both Octavian and Antony had vowed to appear unshaven on their coinage until they had avenged the Tyrannicides, Brutus and Cassius. The legend on the obverse is also noteworthy, proclaiming Octavian as the son of a god. The coin was minted to fund the settlement of retired legionaries after the Perusine War, as indicated by the reverse types: the signum and the aquila represent the soldiers, while the plough and surveyor's ten-foot measuring rod symbolize the division of land allotted to the veterans.