Very interesting coin I found in my 'Treasure Box' today. I had a lot of fun looking up the history. Octavian before he was named Augustus- Roman Emperor: 27 B.C. - 14 A.D Minted in Gaul - 37 B.C. - Silver - Denarius Obverse: Bearded Head Right, IMP CAESAR DIVI F III VIR ITER R P C Reverse: Emblems of the augurate and pontificate: simpulum, aspergillum, guttus, and lituus, COS.ITER.ET.TER.DESIG **Grand-nephew and adopted son of Julius Caesar Please let me know if there is anything else I should know about this coin or if I should correct any of my information. Greatly appreciate any and all help....as always.
Nice Denarius @MaryContrary RI Octavian as Augustus 25-23 BCE AR Quinarius RIGHT facing bust Carisi Emerita Augusta Sear 1642
The date given for this coin is in contention; the date usually given in reference books is 37 BC, but this is inconsistent with the consular titles on the reverse, which suggest a date of 32 BC (the date of Octavian's 2nd and 3rd consulships can be verified using the consular lists in the appendix of Syme's Roman Revolution). The reverse legend indicates Octavian is Consul a second time and has been elected for a third time. For further information read Zanker pg. 34ff. Don't know if the lightning in your picture is misleading or if the red-brownish coloring is just discoloration. If there is a copper core where the silver is broken off, it could be a subaerat denarius (silver plated coins struck on flans with base metal cores and just enough silver on the outside to make them look like, and pass for, good silver).
I have read about those silver plated coins and my coin could be one of those. I think these pictures are a little better.
