Augustus

Denarius · Silver

RIC I² 351

Obverse

Head of Augustus, bare, right

Reverse

Mars, helmeted and cloaked, standing left, holding spear in right hand and parazonium in left, on pedestal inscribed S P Q R V PR RE CAES

Historical Note

Mars Ultor stands on a pedestal inscribed with a senatorial vow formula relating to Augustus's return — S P Q R V(ota) PR(o) RE(ditu) CAES(aris). The Senate and People made formal vows for the safe return of Augustus from his eastern journey of 22–19 BC, during which the Parthian standards were recovered and Armenia settled. This coin type commemorates both the divine protection of Rome's gods and the constitutional relationship between Augustus and the Senate.