I searched the boards for other posts about the type and found a great write up by @Parthicus. I hope it’s ok to paste it here because I certainly couldn’t do better. Roman Empire. Augustus (27 BC- 14 AD). AR denarius, issued c. 20 BC. Obverse: Augustus head left, bareheaded, inscription CAESAR AVGVSTVS around; a couple of faint bankers' marks at back of head. Reverse: Mars standing, holding aquila and with standard across shoulder, inscription SIGNIS RECEPTIS to sides. During the last decade of the Republic and the "Imperatorial" period, Rome had several major clashes with the Parthian kingdom. While some of the later engagements went reasonably well for Rome, the net result was still in Parthia's favor, largely due to the crushing defeat of Crassus and his legions in 53 BC. When Octavian became Augustus in 27 BC and began setting the foundation of the Roman Empire, the Parthian Question was surely on his mind. Rather than attempt a massive invasion, he decided instead to take a more diplomatic approach, and in 20 BC reached a major agreement with the Parthian king. Rome received back the surviving POWs who had been captured in previous decades, and (just as important symbolically for the Romans) also the various military standards, aquilas, and other military symbols that had been lost by the Romans. Augustus clearly considered this a great accomplishment and wanted to make sure that it was known throughout the empire, as he issued a number of different coin types commemorating the event. This type shows Mars holding a returned standard and aquila (staff with an eagle design) and the inscription "Signis Receptis" ("Standards Received"). A special temple of Mars Ultor (Mars the Avenger) was built to house and display the returned standards. As for what the Parthians received on their end: the full details have not survived, but one of the personal gifts given to the Parthian king by Augustus was a slave-girl courtesan named Musa, who eventually became Queen of Parthia... but that's a story for another time.” Now to show the rough example I bought this past weekend. Searching through CNG, it seems that these types are not too common. Augustus. 27 BC-AD 14. AR Denarius (20mm, 3.48 g). Spanish mint (Colonia Patricia?). Struck circa 19 BC. Bare head right / SIGNIS RECEPTIS, shield inscribed CL-V; S-P-Q-R around, aquila to right, signaon left. RIC I 86a; BMCRE 417; RSC 265.
That's a cool new coin @H8_modern ! Here are some standards Augusts was less happy about, lost in the Teutoburg forest debacle. Two out of three made it back to Rome I guess. Hey, two out of three aint bad right? Germanicus. Æ Dupondius Struck under Gaius (Caligula), AD 37-41. O: GERMANICVS/CAESAR in two lines above, Germanicus standing right in chariot, R: SIGNIS RECEPT/DEVICTIS GERM/S C in three lines across field, Germanicus, bareheaded, wearing cuirass and short tunic, holding aquila in left hand. RIC I 57 (Gaius); BMCRE 93-100 (Caligula); BN 140-51 (Caligula). Rome mint. 28 mm. 12.2gm.
That's one coin type I wouldn't mind having, well done Sadly, I can only contribute with the same type shown by @chrsmat71 Germanicus, Dupondius - Posthumous issue of Caligula, in honour of his father (died AD 19) Rome mint, AD 37-41 GERMANICVS CAESAR, Germanicus in triumphal quadriga right SIGNIS RECEPT DEVICTIS GERM, Germanicus standing left, rising right arm, holding legionnary eagle 17.79 gr Ref : RCV #1820, Cohen #7 Q
@H8_modern : No problem borrowing my write-up (as long as you attribute it to me), I'm glad you found it useful. I like your coin, it is worn but still has good eye appeal, and is of course very historically significant.
Nice addition! Glad you reposted Parthicus' coin and write up as well. I have nothing to share other than my enjoyment of seeing and reading about these coins.
The recovery from the Germans commemorated by the Germanicus coin occurred after Augustus died but was not commemorated until Caligula honored his father who recovered the two standards. The third standard was recovered under Claudius.
Well done @H8_modern ! very nice coin, and thanks to @Parthicus ' write-up. I regret that I do not have a cool Recepta. However, here is the guy who TOOK the Standards from Crassus: PARTHIA Orodes II 57-37BC AR Drachm 18mm 3.3g - defeated Crassus, took the Standards, purported to pour molten gold down Crassus' gullet- Ekbatana mint stars crsnt Arsakes on throne bow anchor Sellwd48.9 @chrsmat71 and @Cucumbor tossed in their Receptas after Teutoborg, how about a coin from the guy who LOST the Standards? PUBLIUS QUINCTILIUS VARUS RARE AE OF ANTIOCHEIA, SYRIA RPC 4252, SNG Cop. 92, About Very Fine / Very Fine, 20.4mm, 8.03 grams, Dated year 27 = 5/4 B.C.E. Obverse: Laureate head of Zeus to right Reverse: Tyche of Antioch seated to right, holding palm branch; below, river-god Orontes swimming right, in right field, date ZK (year 27 = 5/4 B.C.E.) This tough-to-get coin was struck during Varus' assignment as governor of Syria from 7 - 4 B.C.E. Varus guarded the borders from Parthia and violently quelled unrest in Judaea and Samaria. Josephus records an incident wherein after the death of Herod., Varus occupied Jerusalem and crucified 2,000 Jews. Later Varus was transfered to the Northern front, where he met disaster fighting the Germanic tribes in the Teutoburg forest. Three legions under his command, Legio XVII, XVIII and XIX were completely annihilated. This caused emperor Augustus great grief and he was said to have cried out on occasion "Quintili Vare, legiones redde!" or "Quinctilius Varus, give me back my legions!"
