coin

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Object Type: coin
Museum number: 1860,0330.8
Denomination: denarius
Description: Silver coin. (whole); Head of Augustus, bare, right. (obverse); Round inscribed shield between standard (on left) and aquila (on right). (reverse)
State: Associated with: Roman Empire Ancient Greece and Rome: Roman Empire
Authority: Ruler: Augustus (Octavian)
Cultures/periods: Roman Imperial
Production date: 19BC
Production place: Minted in: Spain; Minted in: Colonia Patricia (historic - city) (possibly)
Materials: silver
Dimensions: Die-axis: 5 o'clock; Weight: 3.61 grammes
$Inscriptions
Curator's comments: In 20 BC, Augustus scored a diplomatic coup by recovering the legionary eagles and standards (SIGNIS) which had been lost to the Parthians by Crassus in 53 BC, thereby erasing the stain of that earlier military disaster. The treaty also provided for the return of surviving Roman captives, who had been in Parthian hands for 33 years. Augustus refused the Senate's offer of a full Triumph, but allowed his triumphal insignia (an eagle-tipped sceptre, a laurel crown, and his purple cloak) to be displayed in the temple of Mars Ultor. Augustus later ranked this among his proudest achievements, because it was attained without the bloodshed or expense of war.
Bibliographic references: RE1 / Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, vol. 1: Augustus to Vitellius (422, p.72); RIC1 / The Roman Imperial Coinage, vol. 1 (87a, p.47); RR2 / Coins of the Roman Republic in the British Museum, vol. 2. Coinages of Rome (continued), Roman Campania, Italy, the social war, and the provinces. (4400, p.26)
Location: Not on display
Subjects: emperor/empress; flag/pennant; symbol; arms/armour
Associated names: Named in inscription & portrayed: Augustus (Octavian)
Acquisition name: Donated by: Count John Francis William de Salis
Acquisition date: 1860
Department: Money and Medals
Registration number: 1860,0330.8
C&M catalogue number: RE1 (72) (422); RR2 (26) (4400)

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