OCTAVIAN (30-29 BC). GOLD Aureus. Uncertain Italian mint, possibly Rome.

Obv: Bare head right.
Rev: IMP - CAESAR.
Victory standing facing on globe, head left, with wings spread, holding wreath and vexillum over shoulder.

RIC² 268; CRI 417; Calicó 205.

This aureus was struck between 29 and 27 BC after the victory over Mark Antony at Actium. Octavian declared war on Cleopatra in 32 BC and also on Antony, who stood up for the queen, fighting against his own country. On this occasion, Octavian got full dictatorial powers from the Senate, but only for the duration of the war. After the victory at Actium, Antony and Cleopatra killed themselves to avoid falling into enemy hands, and Octavian also ordered the killing of Caesarion, who was said to be Caesar's son, and had Egypt given to him as an imperial province. He thus obtained the rich treasure of the Ptolemies, which enabled him to pay off many war debts and reward veterans of numerous battles by granting them colonies within the empire. This earned him their unconditional support, which was probably more important than that of the senators. At this point, Octavian's victory was definitive and total, extending to all the provinces and borders of the empire, as emphasized by the reverse side of the aureus, which shows a synthesis between ‘Orbis terrarum’ and Victory, holding a crown and a military banner instead of the classic palm branch.

Condition: Near very fine.

Weight: 7.72 g.
Diameter: 21 mm.