Roman Silver & Bronze - Imperial

Lot 4726    SESSION 12 (7.00PM FRIDAY 27TH NOVEMBER)    Roman Silver & Bronze - Imperial

Estimate $1,500
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $900

AUGUSTUS, (27 B.C. - A.D. 14), silver denarius, Spanish mint Tarraco, struck 18 B.C. (3.68 g), obv. bare head of Augustus to right, around SPQR IMP CAESAR AVG COS XI TRI POT VI, rev. CIVIB ET SIGN MILIT A PA RT RECVP, triumphal arch of Augustus, central arch surmounted by a facing quadriga, side arches on each of which is a standing figure on left standing figure to right, holding a signum in raised right hand, figure standing on right to left, holding an aquila in raised right hand and bow at side, (S.-, RIC 136, RSC -, BMC 427, BN 1229-1231). Very fine and very rare.

The coin was struck in commemoration of the victory over Parthia. The central arcade with the quadriga had smaller side arches. The engraver copied a description that did not specify in its description that these side arches should be smaller, he made those arches as three arches of similar height. The inscription leaves no doubt what the arch signifies.