I still needed an Augustus to complete my Sestertius portrait gallery and as I love yellow bronzes I could not resist buying this budget example on eBay. Obviously it is a very worn coin, but it cost just 81 Euros while almost resembling a gold medallion in size and color DIVVS AVGVSTUS – Laureate head of Augustus right IMP NERVA CAES AVGVSTVS REST around large S C Sestertius, Rome 96 a.D. 20,4 gr / 34 mm Cohen 570, Sear 3076, RIC (Nerva) 136, BMC (Nerva) 149, CBN (Nerva) 141 Here ist the rest of my Julio-Claudian Sestertius gallery (Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero): Let´s see yours!
Beautiful yellow coin there, @Julius Germanicus! Here's my Augustus restoration issue: Augustus, Restoration issue by Titus AE27 As, Rome Mint, Struck 80-81 AD. Obverse: DIVVS AVGVS-TVS PATER, Radiate head of Augustus left; above, a star. Reverse: IMP T CAES AVG RESTITVIT, Eagle perched facing on globe, head right, wings spread, S-C in field. References: RCV I 2584, RIC II 198/462, Cohen 551, Komnick 34.0 Size: 27mm, 9.98g
12 Caesars in sestertius or similar size is more difficult and expensive than many realize (at least in decent condition). I still need some as I have been entirely too picky (though I have an eye on one of the hardest to get in a current auction. Wont point anyone to that as I dont want any competition. The coin is already did to a few times estimate and nearly what I decided to pay). Here is my Augustus:
The only 12 Caesars Sestertius is a Glaba for me: Actually not as bad in-hand, but pics can REALLY bring out the warts. RI Galba AE Sestertius SPQR - O.B - CIV.SER in Wreath
"Did somebody say budget Julio-Claudian bronzes??? As if there is any other kind...on my budget." he said whispering the last part under his breath.
Beautiful Augustus head and from what I have read, very rare! Great acquisition. Found the following description, which I think is interesting, just sharing The “restoration” or recoining of the types had the general purpose of linking the reign of Nerva to that of Augustus. Succeeding to the throne by violence, Nerva felt the need to attach himself to the great imperial tradition and naturally went back from the Flavians to Augustus himself. (. .) The formula “restituit” is here used loosely: not a single type is “restored” exactly as originally struck. For some like the sestertii with the portrait of Divus Augustus, we cannot point to any coin that can be regarded as a model. What is restored is essentially the memory, rather than the coins, of the founder of the Empire." (H. Mattingly, BMC III, S. L).and also: at http://numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric.2.ner.136 mint is Asia Minor, this has been changed to Rome (Holger Komnick, "Die Restitutionsmünzen der frühen Kaiserzeit", Berlin 2002)
