This new acquisition came courtesy of @Bing . Its reverse features the Altar of Roma and Augustus in Lugdunum, which was dedicated on August 1, 10 BC. This was part of a series of aes coins bearing a representation of the altar that extended over the three or four year period. A later series, including issues in the name of Tiberius, was issued approximately 20 years later and continued to the end of the reign. Augustus, 27 BC - AD 14. Roman Æ as, 8.41 g, 26.1 mm, 10 h. Lugdunum, 10 BC - 6 BC. Obv: CAESAR PONT MAX, laureate head, right. Rev: ROM ET AVG, altar of Roma and Augustus, flanked by two columns, each surmounted by a statue of Victory. Refs: RIC 230; BMCRE 549-556; Cohen 240; RCV 1690; CBN 1634. Post your coins of Augustus or anything you feel is relevant!
@Roman Collector while attributing the Augustus Altar of Lugdunum coin I found that the Altar of Lugdunum dedicated in 12 BC during the time that Augustus' step-son Nero Claudius Drusus was present to oversee the reorganization of the region's administration. Unfortunately, I didn't copy the source. You say it was dedicated on August 1, 10 BC. Just wondering which one is the dedication date? maybe we just can say ca. 10 BC ? with countermarks: On the obverse, countermark a radiate head of Helios (?), a lunar deity with crescent above head, also referred to as a 'nailed helmet'. Sometimes this 'radiate' head is found struck twice on Augustan sestertii. On the reverse countermark IMP AV/CN 24 x 26 mm, 9.91 g Gallia, Lugdunum, after 10/7 BC. Ref.: RIC 230; BMC.549-550; Cohen 240; Lyon 73. Ob.: CAESAR PONT MAX laureate head of Augustus right; banker's cut Rev.: ROM ET AVG altar of Lugdunum, front decorated with the corona civica between laurels and figures; flanked on each side by a Victory on a column standing facing center, raising a wreath and holding a palm frond; and one with Tiberius: Gallia, Lugdunum, 12 - 14 AD, struck under Augustus 25 mm, 11.23 g Ref.: RIC 245; Giard 114; BMC 585; Cohen 37; RCV 1756; Ob.: TI CAESAR AVGVST F IMPERAT VII laureate head r Rev.: ROM ET AVG Front elevation of the altar of Lugdunum decorated with corona civica between laurels, these being flanked by stylized figures; to either side, Victories on columns facing each other (these pictures really didn't come out well. Will have to try making better ones )
Nice pick up RC. Mine a little later 9-14 AD, Semis and As. Augustus Semis minted Lyon, ca 10-14, 18mm, 5.27gm, Altar of Lyon...RIC 234 Augustus AE As, c. 9-14 AD, Altar of Lugdunum, decorated with corona civica between laurels and nude male figures; on columns left and right, Victories holding wreath;below, ROM ET AVG. 27mm, 10.77g RIC 1, 233. Tiberius as Caesar, AE As, Minted 12-14 AD, 28mm, 12gm.
Very interesting examples, @cmezner ! The British Museum has several examples of these coins bearing countermarks. I'm also glad you posted an example from the reign of Tiberius. You note: There appears to be general agreement among historians that the census of Gallia Comata was mandated in 13 BC (Livy Per. 138), sparking a rebellion of the Gauls against Rome in 12 BC, and that Drusus founded the Sanctuary of the Three Gauls (the altar of which is depicted on this coin) on the first day of August in response to that rebellion. However, there is no reason to suspect the altar was completed and dedicated in the same year as the the rebellion. Sources are in disagreement as to whether this took place in 12 BC or 10 BC. Mattingly (BMCRE1, p. cxiii) states unequivocally that it occured in 10 BC: Sear (RCV1, p. 332), in his notes about this issue, reports the same (though it is unclear whether he is simply citing Mattingly): Historian Ann L. Kutner (Dynasty and Empire in the Age of Augustus) also states unequivocally (p.118; and citing Maurin 1986, 110f) that the altar was dedicated in 10 BC: [Drusus] was charged to handle the preliminary organization of a new cult of Rome and Augustus at Lugdunum, a project brought to completion in 10 B.C. with the inauguration of the cult. The Wikipedia article on The Sanctuary of the Three Gauls, relying heavily on the work of historian Duncan Fishwick, not only reports two possible years for the dedication (10 BC or 12 BC), but explains why it was dedicated on the first of August: As stepson to Augustus, Drusus represented the Imperial family and as provincial governor, he was also augur. The inaugural day of the sanctuary – August 1 of either 10 BC or 12 BC – was important to both Romans and Gauls. August – formerly Sextilis in the Roman calendar – had been renamed in honour of Augustus, and its kalends (the first day of the month) was particularly auspicious as the anniversary of his victory at Alexandria. In the Gallo-celtic calendar, the same day was sacred to the sun-god Lugh, who may have been venerated on the Fourvière hill at Lugdunum, though no temple has been found. My reasoning behind assigning a date of 10 BC to the dedication of this temple was as follows: 1. Even though the census and the ensuing rebellion occurred in 13 - 12 BC, the quashing of which was celebrated by the dedication by Drusus (on behalf of Augustus) of the Sanctuary of the Three Gauls, there is no reason to think that all three events -- the census, the rebellion, and the construction of the sanctuary -- all occurred in the span of a year. It seems more reasonable to believe that more than a few months was required for the sanctuary to be constructed. A date of 10 BC seems more reasonable than 12 BC. 2. While I wish that Mattingly and Sear had been better about citing their sources, they got their information about a date of 10 BC from somewhere. Moreover, other modern historians (Maurin 1986, pp. 110f; Kutner 1995, p. 118) note the date was 10 BC. 3. The Wikipedia article, citing Fishwick,* reports dates of 10 BC and 12 BC as possibilities. I suspect the ancient sources Fishwick consulted were inconsistent or ambiguous. I do not have access to Fishwick's article and admittedly have not examined the data that he cites. 4. Because all of these sources report a date of August 1, 10 BC as a dedication date, and because a date of August 1, 12 BC does not seem to allow for enough time to pass from the time of the rebellion in 12 BC, the suppression of that rebellion, and the resulting construction of a great monument by August 1 of that year, I support a date of 10 BC. *Duncan Fishwick, "The Imperial cult in Roman Britain", Phoenix, 15, 1961, 3, p.159.
@Roman Collector that is an impressive and in-depth explanation !! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. Have been researching this coin but could not find anything useful. Your post is highly appreciated
That phrase was taken verbatim from Sear and I agree the phrasing is ambiguous. It would be better rendered as "a later series that includes those issued by Tiberius" or "a later series issued by Tiberius." It's a series because the earlier coins of Tiberius bear the obverse inscription TI CAESAR AVGVST F IMPERAT V and the later ones have IMPERAT VII.
