AUGUSTUS SILVER DENARIUS – SPANISH ISSUE WITH TRIUMPHAL SYMBOLS EX ARCHER M HUNTINGTON COLLECTION – CHOICE VF NGC GRADED ROMAN IMPERIAL COIN OF THE 12 CAESARS (Inv. 17884)

$1,500.00

17884. ROMAN EMPIRE. AUGUSTUS, 27 BC–14 AD.
Silver Denarius, 3.73 g, 17 mm. Issue of a Spanish mint, perhaps Colonia Caesaraugusta, ca. 18 BC.
Obv. [S P] Q R PARE[NT] – CONS SVO, aquila, toga picta over tunica palmata, and wreath. Rev. CAESARI AVGVSTO, slow quadriga right, decorated with figures of Victories on its side and finial with galloping horses on top.
RIC I rev 99.
Ex Archer M. Huntington gift to the Hispanic Society of America, residing for many years at the American Numismatic Society, 1001.1.22826, Vilmar Numismatics FPL V (Summer/Fall 2023), no. 66 = CNG 118, 9/13/2021, lot 965 = CNG Electronic Auction 397, 5/17/2017, lot 460.
NGC graded CHOICE VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5, with a very old and prestigious pedigree.

The typology of this denarius marks an important turning point in Roman customs. Previously all victorious Roman commanders could potentially be awarded a triumph, but under Augustus triumphs became the sole prerogative of the emperor. As indicated by the coin legend, the aquila, toga picta and tunica palmata, wreath and triumphal chariot depicted are given by the “Senate and People of Rome to its protective parent [i.e., Augustus].” This was not a single triumphal award, but for all time. The Fasti Triumphales, which documented all Roman commanders awarded triumphs, ceased recording the year before this coin was struck.