Augustus

Aureus · Gold

RIC I² 209

Obverse

Head of Augustus, laureate, right

Reverse

Gaius and Lucius Caesar standing, each, togate, resting hand on shield and spear, simpulum, left, and lituus, right, flanking, right and left respectively

Historical Note

Gaius Caesar (born 20 BC) and Lucius Caesar (born 17 BC) were Augustus's grandsons, adopted as his sons and designated joint heirs — principes iuventutis. This series was struck at Lugdunum from c. 2 BC and was among the most widely circulated coinage of the reign. The shields, spears, simpulum, and lituus represent their military and priestly roles. On this variant, the positions of Gaius and Lucius are reversed compared to other issues — a sub-type distinction used by numismatists to track different striking periods.