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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Jochen1, post: 3315499, member: 103829&quot;][USER=82270]@VDB[/USER] BMCR 669, pl. 16, 12: Laurel-wreath interwoven with rostra and tied with a fillet, the long ties of which are drawn up across the centre. struck BC 27, in the East.</p><p><br /></p><p>I think that Augustus has seen this coin surely as his most important:</p><p><br /></p><p>Augustus, 27 BC - D 14</p><p>AR - denarius, 3.74g, 19mm, 180°</p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Colonia Patricia(?), c. 19-18 BC</p><p>obv. CAESAR AVGVSTVS, bare head r.</p><p>rev. Round Shield with inscription CL.V between legionary eagle l. and standard r.,</p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; SPQR at the 4 corners of the shield, SIGNIS above, RECEPTIS below</p><p>ref. RIC I, 86a; BMCR 417; RSC 265</p><p>about EF, toned</p><p>[ATTACH=full]878509[/ATTACH]</p><p>CL.V is the abbreviation of <i>Clipeus Virtutis</i> = Shield of Bravery, that was dedicated by the Senate for outstanding merits for the Republic.</p><p><br /></p><p>In 53 BC the Triumvir M. Licinius Crassus was defeated devastatingly in the Battle of Carrhae and killed by betrayal. 3 legions were annihilated and their legionary eagles captured by the Parthians. This was one of the most serious military defeats of the Romans and the loss of the legionary eagles was considered as heaviest disgrace of a commander. This defeat was a festering wound in the self-awareness of the Romans.</p><p><br /></p><p>In 20 BC Augustus succeeded by diplomatic negotiations in motivating the Parthians undet Phraates IV to return the legionary eagles and to release the Roman captives. This was celebrated in Rome as big victory. In honour the Parthian arch was erected and this coin too celebrates this success.</p><p><br /></p><p>The return of the legionary eagles is depicted too in the main scene of the cuirass of the famous statue of Augustus of Prima Porta (today in the Musei Vaticani). The legionary eagles were displayed in the temple of Mars Ultor that was erected for them on the Forum of Augustus. The day of return was declared National Holiday and celebrated still in the 4th century AD.</p><p><br /></p><p>Best regards[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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