Augustus

Denarius · Silver

RIC I² 105B

Obverse

Head of Augustus, laureate, left

Reverse

Hexastyle domed temple, aquila between two standards inside

Historical Note

The hexastyle (six-column) version of the Temple of Mars Ultor shows the standards displayed inside — the temple's primary function in Augustan propaganda was as the resting place of the Roman standards recovered from Parthia in 20 BC. The architectural rendering on coinage communicated the temple's importance even before it was formally dedicated in 2 BC.