Denarius of Augustus

This is the second of the finds that came in from Dean Bartha. It’s an Imperial period Roman denarius of an interesting type.

The coin was struck during the reign of Augustus but doesn’t bear his portrait. On the obverse is the radiate head of Sol together with a legend reading L. AQVILLIVS FLORVS III VIR; this side has the name of the moneyer responsible for the issue of this denarius. On the reverse is a quadriga (a chariot pulled by four horses), the upper body of which is in the form of a basket containing corn-ears; on this side the legend reads CAESAR AVGVSTVS S C, the latter is an abbreviation of Senatus Consulto, which translates as ‘By Order of the Senate’.

In volume I of David Sear’s Roman Coins and Their Values denarii like this one are listed as number 1601. The type was struck at Rome during 19 BC.

Valuation

On the obverse there are scratches on the face and under the chin of Sol and the legend is partly weak. The reverse legend is also weak at the end. It has some defects but overall the coin is reasonably attractive and to a collector it should be worth around £200.

Valuation Service

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