Augustus

Aureus · Gold

RIC I² 68

Obverse

Head of Augustus, bare, right

Reverse

Tetrastyle round domed temple, Mars, helmeted and cloaked, standing inside left, holding aquila in right hand and parazonium in left

Historical Note

The Temple of Mars Ultor depicted in tetrastyle form, with Mars holding the aquila and parazonium. This is one of the most historically specific coin types in the Augustan series — the temple was a real building in Rome whose construction spanned most of Augustus's reign, and whose dedication in 2 BC was one of the great ceremonies of his principate.