Augustus, 27 BC-AD 14. Denarius (Subaeratus, 18 mm, 2.23 g, 12 h), a contemporary plated imitation. Irregular mint, after 27 BC. IMP Bearded head of Mars to right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet. Rev. AVGVSTVS Bull standing right. Cf. BMC 644, Cohen 44 and RIC 274 (for obverse) and BMC 662, Cohen 28 and RIC 475 (for reverse). A beautifully toned and highly interesting plated imitation. Two bankers' marks on the obverse, otherwise, about very fine.


This piece is remarkable in several ways. It pairs the obverse of a denarius struck at Rome by Augustus - still as Octavian - in 29-27 BC with the reverse of a denarius from Pergamum dated to 27 BC. At just 2.23 g, it is markedly underweight, reflecting its bronze core. Notably, the obverse carries two bankers’ marks, neither of which broke through the silver plating.