A couple of the early October auctions brought a few coins my way that I'll be showing over the next few days. Here is the first of them. I’ve been trying to add a small bronze of Augustus to my 12 Caesars collection for quite a while, and this coin (barely) fits that niche. While the condition is only VF / good VF, the winged Victory behind Augustus on the obverse clinched it for me; it almost seems as if Victory is whispering in his ear. OCTAVIAN (as AUGUSTUS) AE Dupondius (?) (20.33 g.) Rome 7 B.C. RIC 429 BMC 224 CAESAR AVGVST PONT MAX TRI – BVNIC POT Laureate head left, crowned by Victory standing behind and holding cornucopiae. Rev. M SALVIVS OTHO III VIR A A A F F around S C. From the Gasvoda collection These coins ranged in weight from less than ten grams to more than 17 grams (my coin is one of the latter) and were struck on flans that ranged from too small to oversize. Some experts (Giard and Grant) describe them as medallions, but Mattingly tentatively classifies them as dupondii. Completing my 12 Caesars is now only one coin away – the continuingly elusive Tiberius portrait sestertius.
A really nice bronze! It seems very unusual for victory to share the obverse with the portrait. I don't think I have seen that before. How many coin types are like this? John
Does Victory already know the result of the american election and is she telling Augustus ? Great coin ! Q
Great coin, and a timely post. I have just decided to put together a bronze set of the 12. Bigger the better, so hopefully some sestertii, but some smaller examples will certainly have to suffice. I'll post them as I get them.
Have you read Bellinger's essay on Victory as a coin type? I think it is available free online but I have it if you can't find it. He's mistaken (imo) about the winged figure representing Nike on some Greek types but it is still a very good essay.
Well, it's not Roman, but there is a Parthian obverse of Orodes II (57- 38 BC) with Nike crowning the king: This type dates from early in Orodes' reign, and most likely refers to his defeat of his brother Mithradates III.
