Both sides of an irregularly shaped gold coin with relief decoration on each side.
Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College

On the side of the coin on the left is the bust of a man facing right, tendrils of short curly hair held in place with a laurel wreath; surrounding the border, small dots and the Latin characters: C A E S A R / A V G V S T V S / D I V I / F / P A T E R / P A T R I A E. The other side of the coin depicts two men standing one facing right, one facing left, with heads slightly turned, each rests a hand on one of two shields, which stand upright on the ground between them; behind the shields, two crossed spears, butts pointing upwards; above, a large laddle and a ritualistic staff, that curls inwards at the top; surrounding the border, small dots and the Latin characters: C / L / C A E S A R E S / A V G V S T I / F / C O S / D E S I G N / P R I N C / I V V E N T.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
1976.40.2
People
Augustus, Roman (r. 27 BCE - 14 CE)
Title
Aureus of Augustus, Lugdunum (Lyons)
Classification
Coins
Work Type
coin
Date
7 - 6 BCE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Europe, Lugdunum (Gaul)
Period
Roman Imperial period, Early
Culture
Roman Imperial
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/194906

Location

Location
Level 3, Room 3700, Ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Art, Roman Art
View this object's location on our interactive map

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Gold
Metal
AV
Technique
Struck
Dimensions
7.69 g
Die Axis
1
Denomination
aureus
Inscriptions and Marks
  • inscription: obverse: CAESAR AVGVSTVS DIVI F PATER PATRIAE
    r. up, l. down, outwardly
  • inscription: reverse: CL CAESARES, in exergue
    AVGVSTI F COS DESIG PRINC IVVENT continuing around r. to l. outwardly
  • Obverse Inscription: CAESAR AVGVTVS DIVI F PATER PATRIAE
  • Reverse Inscription: C L CAESARES AVGVSTI F COS DESIGN PRINC IVVENT

State, Edition, Standard Reference Number

Standard Reference Number
RIC I 2, 206 p. 56

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Transfer from the Harvard College Library, Bequest of Robert Nixon Toppan, 1880
Accession Year
1976
Object Number
1976.40.2
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Obv.: Laureate head of Augustus to r.
Rev.: Gaius and Lucius Caesar, togate, veiled, standing facing on l. and r. respectively. Each rests a hand on one of two shields, which stand upright on the ground between them; behind the shields, two crossed spears, butts pointing upwards l. and r.; between butts, a simpulum on l. and a lituus on r. turned inwards

Exhibition History

  • 32Q: 3700 Roman, Harvard Art Museums, 11/16/2014 - 01/01/2050

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu