Description
Caesar Augustus, Roman Emperor of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty 27 BC – 14 AD, Silver Denarius (3.83g, 20mm), Lugdunum mint 2 BC – 4 AD. Obverse: Laureate head of Augustus facing to the right, legend surrounds, “CΛESΛR ΛVGVSTVS DIVI F PΛTER PΛTRIΛE”. Reverse: Augustus’ grandchildren and adopted heirs, Gaius Caesar and Lucius Caesar, standing facing forward, each togate and holding spear and round shield between them, lituus and simpulum above, “C L CΛESΛRES” in exergue, legend surrounds, “ΛVGVSTI F COS DESIG PRINC IVVENT”. RIC-210; RSC-43c. Struck on a very broad flan and with amber toning through the peripheral devices, the obverse quite choice with a noteworthy portrait although a bit softly struck, the reverse a touch off-centre, typical of the type, overall good Very Fine.
The obverse Latin legend reads “Caesar Augustus, dīvī fīlius, Pater Patriae”, with an English translation of “Caesar Augustus, son of the Divine, father of the nation”. The reverse Latin legend begins from the exergue and continues around, reading “Gāius et Lūcius, Caesarēs Augusti Filii Consules Designati, Principes iuventūtis”, with an English translation of “Gaius and Lucius, sons of Caesar Augustus, designated consuls, princes/leaders of the youth”.