obverse of Augustus RIC I² 179

obverse

American Numismatic Society (ANS), CC BY

reverse of Augustus RIC I² 179

reverse

American Numismatic Society (ANS), CC BY

Quick Facts

Emperor
Augustus
Period
Julio-Claudian
Denomination
Aureus
Metal
Gold
Mint
Lugdunum
Date
11–10 BC

Augustus

Aureus · Gold

RIC I² 179

Obverse

Head of Augustus, bare, right

Reverse

Apollo standing left, holding plectrum in right hand and lyre in left hand

Historical Note

Apollo was Augustus's patron deity. After the Battle of Actium in 31 BC — fought near Apollo's sanctuary at Actium — Augustus strengthened the Apollo connection, building a major temple to Apollo Palatinus adjacent to his house on the Palatine Hill (dedicated 28 BC). The lyre identifies this as Apollo Citharoedus, the musician god — an aspect emphasised in Augustan court culture and poetry. The lyre-playing Apollo appears on some of the earliest post-Actium Augustan coin issues.

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