Lot 2221
Augustus. Silver Denarius (3.86 g), 27 BC-AD 14. Emerita(?), ca. 17/6 BC. Bare head of Augustus left. Reverse: AVGVSTVS, capricorn right, holding globe attached to rudder between front hooves, cornucopiae above its back. RIC 130; BN 1354-7; BMC 307-8; RSC 22. Very Rare. A fine artistic left facing portrait of Augustus. Lightly toned. Extremely Fine. Estimate Value $1,000 - 1,300
Although there is a problem of chronology that has not been clearly sorted, Augustus advertised his birth sign as Capricorn. The capricorn was a half terrestrial, half marine being, and played a prominent role in Augustan propaganda, seen on several coin types as well as in other media. Here the capricorn with globe seems to signify Augustus' power over land and sea. The rudder and cornucopiae are terrestrial attributes of the goddess Bona Fortuna, reminding us of Augustus' role in bringing peace and good fortune to the Empire after the devastating civil wars of the 40s and 30s BC.For an enlightening discussion of Augustus' horoscope and it's use in imperial propaganda, see T. Barton, "Augustus and Capricorn: Astrological Polyvalency and Imperial Rhetoric," JRS 85, 1995, pp. 31-51.
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| Realized $1,146 |
