coin

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Object Type: coin
Museum number: R.6133
Denomination: denarius
Description: Silver coin. (whole); Head of Augustus, laureate, right. (obverse); Apollo Citharoedus, draped, standing right, holding plectrum in right hand and lyre in left hand. (reverse)
State: Associated with: Roman Empire Ancient Greece and Rome: Roman Empire
Authority: Ruler: Augustus (Octavian)
Cultures/periods: Roman Imperial
Production date: 11BC-10BC
Production place: Minted in: Lugdunum (historic)
Materials: silver
Dimensions: Die-axis: 6 o'clock; Weight: 3.91 grammes
$Inscriptions
Curator's comments: Struck to commemorate Augustus' and Agrippa's victory at the naval battle of Actium over the forces of Marcus Antonius and Cleopatra, the battle which saw Augustus (then known as Octavian) become undisputed master of the Roman world.
Bibliographic references: RE1 / Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, vol. 1: Augustus to Vitellius (484, p.83); RIC1 / The Roman Imperial Coinage, vol. 1 (193a, p.54); 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. (202, p.438)
Location: Not on display
Subjects: emperor/empress; classical deity; musical instrument
Associated names: Named in inscription & portrayed: Augustus (Octavian); Representation of: Apollo
Acquisition date: 1799
Department: Money and Medals
Registration number: R.6133
C&M catalogue number: RE1 (83) (484); RR2 (438) (202)

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