Augustus (Coin 01)

1 Step Back

Augustus a.k.a. Octavianus
Gaius 'Octavianus' Julius Caesar
(63 - 27 BC - AD 14)

My 'Moneyer' Coins

The Roman Mint Magistrates were responsible for the minting of gold, silver and bronze coinage. They were known as the Triumviri Monetales (or Triumviri Auro, Argento, Aeri, Flando, Feriundo shortened into III VIR AAA FF) meaning 'one of three men for the striking and casting of gold, silver and bronze'. The Moneyer title occurs rarely on Republic coins but frequently during Augustus' reign.
After the roman mints had been shut in 40 BC. with the death of ole J.C. (Julius Caesar), having a board of (three) moneyers was discontinued. The army leaders now issued coins in their own name, (i.e. Brutus, Cassius, Marcus Antonius, Octavian, etc.). Octavian thus financed his own personal army.
When in 27 BC, Octavian had won the civil war he became officially First Citizen and 'Augustus'. He then started with restoring the state for the Senate and the people. He did not immediately restore the Senate's right to issue coins until in 23 bc when the Roman mint was reopened.
In 15 bc Augustus allowed an Imperial mint to strike Aureii and Denarii. This Mint was in Lugdunum, (Lyons, France). The mint in Rome continued to strike base metal coins and therefore since then only copper/ bronze coins have the text SC (Senatus Consulta – with consent of the senate). After 12 BC moneyers ceased to appear on the bronze coins. Clearly there must have been a good reason for this, but one we don't know (yet).

Bronze As - Æ 25-26 mm - 10 grams - Die axis 12:00 - RIC 432 - Struck AD probably 7 BC.

1.	[CAESAR AVGVST PO]NT MAX TR[I]BVN[IC POT] (Caesar Augustus Pontifex Maximus Tribunicia Potestate - Ceasar Augustus, Supreme Priest, Holder of the Tribunician Power). Head Bare facing right.

2.	M SALVIVS OTHO I[IIVIR AAAF]F (M Salvius Otho Triumvir Auro, Argento, Aeri, Flando, Feriundo - M Salvius Otho Triumvir Monetales). Text is around a big SC in the middle (Senatus Consulto - By Decree of the Senate).

The Otho on this coin is the grandfather of Emperor Otho. Became a senator through Livia. Moneyer for Augustus. Obv. : Very worn, LP - Rev. : Very worn, LP.

Bronze As - Æ 25-26 mm - 10 grams - Die axis 12:00 - RIC 427 - Struck AD probably 7 BC.

1.	[CAESAR AVGVST PONT MAX TRIBVNIC POT] (Caesar Augustus Pontifex Maximus Tribunicia Potestas - Ceasar Augustus, Supreme Priest, Holder of the Tribunician Power). Head bare facing right.

2.	[P LVR]IVS [AGRIPPA] IIIVIR A[AAFF] (P Lurius Agrippa Triumvir Auro, Argento, Aeri, Flando, Feriundo - P.L.A. Moneyer) around a big SC in the middle (Senatus Consulto - By decree of the Senate).

A roman mint magistrates coin of quite uncertain issue. As said the Roman Mint Magistrates were responsible for the minting of gold, silver and bronze coinage. This coin was bought a total crustie and through lots of love and tumbling brought me this far ... Still a lot to be done ! (RIC 427 if bust faces right and RIC 428 if it face left (think I have the first type)). Obv. : Unreadable, LP - Rev. : Very worn, LP.

Bronze As - Æ 24-25 mm - 10 grams - Die axis 11:00 - RIC 389, Sear 5 #1680 - Struck probably 15 BC.

1.	[CAES]AR AV[GVST PONT MAX TRIBVNIC POTEST] (Caesar Augustus Pontifex Maximus Tribunicia Potestas - Caesar Augustus, Supreme Priest, Holder of the Tribunician Power). Head bare facing right.

2.	[C PLOTIV]S RVFVS IIIVIR AAA[FF] (C Plotius Rufus Triumvir Auro, Argento, Aeri, Flando, Feriundo - C.P.R. Moneyer) around SC in the middle (Senatus Consulto - By decree of the Senate).

Obv. : Too lightly struck, Off- centre, LP - Rev. : Good, Off-centre, LP. Obverse has a slightly barbarian feel. Reverse however is 100 % Roman.

Bronze As - Æ 24-25 mm - 10 grams - Die axis 02:00 - RIC 386 - Struck probably 14/15 BC.

1.	[CAESAR AVGVST PONT MAX TRIBVNIC POTEST] (Caesar Augustus Pontifex Maximus Tribunicia Potestas - Caesar Augustus, Supreme Priest, Holder of the Tribunician Power). Head bare facing right.

2.	[L] • SVRDINVS • IIIVIR AAA[FF] (L Surdinus Triumvir Auro, Argento, Aeri, Flando, Feriundo - L Naevius Surdinus Moneyer) around S•C in the middle (Senatus Consulto - By decree of the Senate).

Minted in Rome. Obv. : Good but caked - Rev. : Good.