Augustus

Denarius · Silver

RIC I² 45

Obverse

Head of Augustus, bare, right

Reverse

Victory flying right with wreath above shield inscribed CL V, column in background

Historical Note

Victory carries a wreath above the Clipeus Virtutis — layering two Augustan honours: the victor's wreath (referring to military conquest at Actium) and the virtue shield awarded by the Senate in 27 BC. The column in the background may allude to the honorary column erected for Augustus or to the public display of his honours.