Gaius Julius Octavianus, first Roman emperor. Great nephew of Julius Caesar who adopted him as heir. He, Mark Antony and Lepidus composed the Second Triumvirate. Received the title of Augustus from the senate. Died in A.D. 14 at the age of 77.
Standards captured from the Romans at the defeat of Crassus in 53 B.C., from L. Decidius Saxa in Syria in 40 B.C., and from Marc Antony in 36 B.C. were returned by the Parthians in 20 B.C. and placed in the temple of Mars / Ultor. Upon Augustus' return to Rome, he was voted a triumphal chariot by the senate which was evidently kept in the temple of Mars / Ultor. There are silver denarii showing a kneeling Parthian offering a standard, and denarii and tetradrachms showing the standards resting in the temple.
See the biography of Augustus at De Imperatoribus Romanis, an online encyclopedia of Roman emperors.
TR P refers to the tribune power of the emperor, and indicates the year. It may appear on the obverse or reverse. Dating can also be done from consulships (COS) and imperatorial acclamations (IMP):
| MAR VLT | |
| RSC 1 dates the moniers who produced some of Augustus' SIGN RECE coins to 18 BC, but I'm not sure if this is still current |
Click on coin catalog links to view images:
| Catalog | Denom | Inscription | Reverse Type |
|---|---|---|---|
Augustus 20 B.C. |
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| RIC1 131 BMC 173,427 |
aureus | SPQR IMP CAESARI AVG COS XI TR POT VI / CIVIB ET SIGN MILIT A PART RECV P | triumphal arch |
| RIC1 86a RSC1 265 S 492 (Fourrée) |
denarius | AVGVSTVS CAESAR / SIGNIS RECEPTIS | shield between legionary eagle and standard, S P Q R in field around shield; also RSC 265a - 267a |
| RIC1 86b RSC1 267 |
denarius | AVGVSTVS CAESAR / SIGNIS RECEPTIS | shield between legionary eagle and standard, S P Q R in field around shield |
| C 544 BM 77 Paris 348 |
denarius | / LVINICIVS | Triumphal arch inscribed SPQR IMP CAE, surmounted by Augustus in facing quadriga; on each side of arch is a colonnaded passageway surmounted by a statue of a Parthian enemy; both of the enemies salute Augustus or return a standard to him and the one on l. also carries a bow |
| RIC1 134a | denarius | SPQR IMP CAESARI AVG COS XI TRI POT VI / CIVIB ET SIGN MILIT A PART RECV P E R | triumphal arch |
| RIC1 136 | denarius | SPQR IMP CAESARI AVG COS XI TR POT VI / CIVIB ET SIGN MILIT A PART RECV P | triumphal arch |
| RIC1 137 | denarius | SPQR IMP CAESARI AVG COS XI TR POT VI / CIVIB ET SIGN MILIT A PART RECV P E R | triumphal arch |
| RSC1 190 | denarius | / MAR VLT | standards in temple; also RSC 190a - 205 |
| RSC1 192 | denarius | CAESAR AVGVSTO / MART VLTO | standards in temple; also RSC 190 - 205 |
| RSC1 255 | denarius | / SIGNIS PARTHICIS RECEPTIS | text only on rev; also RSC 257 |
| RSC1 259 RIC1 41 RIC1 82a BMCRE 414 |
denarius | AVGVSTVS CAESAR / SIGNIS RECEPTIS | Mars stand. facing; also RSC 259a - 262a |
| RSC1 272 | denarius | CAESAR AVGVSTO / S P Q R | triumphal quadriga; also RSC 272a - 282 |
| RSC1 298 | cistophor | IMP IX TR PO V / S P R SIGNIS RECPTIS | triumphal arch inscribed IMP IX TR PO(T) V surmounted by quadriga |
| Suth 552a | cistophor | IMP IX TR PO V / MART VLTO | Temple of Mars Ultor with standard |
| RSC1 358 | denarius | L AQVILLIVS FLORVS III VIR / CAESAR AVGVSTVS SIGN RECE | Parthian kneeling R presenting standard; also RSC 359 |
| RSC1 428 | denarius | M DVRMIVS / CAESAR AVGVSTVS SIGN RECE | Parthian kneeling R presenting standard; also RSC 428a |
| RIC1 315 | denarius | M DVRMIVS III VIR HONORI / CAESAR AVGVSTVS SIGN RECE | Parthian kneeling R, holding in extended R hand standard and vexillum |
| RSC1 484 RSC1 484 BMCRE 14 RIC1 288 RIC1 288 RIC1 288 RIC1 288 RIC1 288 RIC1 288 var |
denarius | Bust of Feronia; R TVRPILIANVS III VIR FERON / CAESAR AVGVSTVS SIGN RECE | Parthian kneeling R presenting standard |
| RSC1 485 | denarius | Bust of Liber; TVRPILIANVS III VIR / CAESAR AVGVSTVS SIGN RECE | Parthian kneeling R presenting standard; X on vexillum; also RSC 484a - 486 |
| ANS 1992-121-53 |
denarius forgery |
AVGVSTVS / L CANINIVS GALLVS III VIR | Parthian kneeling R, holding up legionary eagle |
| Catalog | Denom | Inscription | Reverse Type |
The images are used by permission of their copyright owners. See the Coins of Rome about Parthia index page for a listing of these generous individuals, dealers and institutions.
This page last updated 23 Feb 2021
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