Ian Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 I've been trying to find an example of this coin ever since I first saw one on romancoins.com. Today the one destined for my collection finally arrived. Nice portrait and original toning (as far as I can tell) and only honest wear. Slightly off centre strike reverse which causes the loss of some of the legend, but still collectable as far as i'm concerned. :-) Obverse legend reads: CAESAR AUGUSTUS DIVI F. PATER PATRIAE (Caesar Augustus, son of the Divine Julius, Father of the Country) Laureate bust of Augustus facing right. he had the title `Pater Patriae' bestowed upon him in 2 BC, basically proclaiming him as patron of the Roman Empire. Reverse legend reads: C L CAESARES AUGUSTI F COS DESIG PRINC IUVENT (Gaius and Lucius Caesar, sons of Augustus, Consuls elect, first among youth) Gaius and Lucius, standing side by side each with a hand on a shield behind which is a spear. The shields and spears represent the coming of age of Gaius and Lucius and the honour of `princepes iuventutis', (that is, `first among the youth') an honor bestowed upon them by Augustus. The simpulum pictured above was one of the insignia of the college of pontiffs. This represents Gaius who became a pontiff in 7 BC. Also pictured above is a lituus or augural staff which was the symbol for the college of augurs and refers to Lucius who was appointed as an augur. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlueke Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 That's a cool type Ian, congratulations. I like the simpulum especially since Augustus also took the title Pontifex Maximus a few years earlier and we still have a pontiff to this day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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