Denarius of Augustus

Ray Kyte sent in the images of this coin, which is silver and 21mm in diameter. It was found some time beck by a detecting colleague who died recently and his widow asked Ian for more details.

At first sight this is a denarius of Augustus, whose dates are 27 BC to AD 14.  On the obverse, facing right, is a bare head of the emperor with AVGVSTVS in a curve below. On the reverse the figure of Victory has spread wings and outstretched arms, which grip a shield inscribed with CL.V; flanking Victory is S.P. Q.R.

When I first saw the images of this coin it looked too good to be true. The overall condition is way above average and if looks to have circulated for a few hours rather than days, weeks and years. I spent a short time looking up the type but couldn’t trace it.

The coin intrigued me so a few hours later I looked again at the images. The surfaces look wonderful and the general style is excellent so I tried again to pin it down and I soon traced another example. It was described as being struck at an uncertain Spanish mint, circa 19 BC. This type of denarius was said to have honoured Augustus for receiving the Clipeus Virtutis (‘Shield of Virtue’), which was awarded by the Senate for his courage, clemency, justice and piety in restoring the Republic.

The coin was described as having old cabinet toning, the reverse slightly off centre and with some scratches. It was graded as VF and said to be apparently unrecorded as a denarius and extremely rare. This denarius was sold at auction during 2022 and the hammer price was $2,750.

The coin pictured here is well struck; it would grade good VF and is certainly of great rarity. It is in better condition and has greater eye appeal than the specimen recently sold at auction so it would fetch an even higher price.  However, I must point out that I have only had photographic images to work from so the coin would need to be seen and handled to ensure there is no doubt about its authenticity.

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