ASIA MINOR. Uncertain. Augustus (27 BC-14 AD). 'Sestertius'

ASIA MINOR. Uncertain. Augustus (27 BC-14 AD). 'Sestertius'.

Obv: AVGVSTVS.
Bare head right.
Rev: Large CA within wreath.

RPC I 2233; RIC² 501.

A large and enigmatic series of bronze and brass coins, bearing the portrait of Augustus, is known as the CA coinage. The meaning of “CA” is unclear. It was initially thought to refer to the mint (CesarAugusta in Spain or Caesarea in Judea). Others suggest “Commune Asiae,” “Caesar Augustus,” or “Caesaris autoritate” (the latter being the least likely). RPC has a slight preference for “Caesar Augustus” but does not rule out the other interpretations. These coins circulated in Asia, but also in Cyprus and northern Syria. It is likely that some groups could be attributed to Cyprus and Syria, based on their style, provenance and countermarks. The identification of the mint (or mints), however, is equally debated, primarily due to their widespread circulation and stylistic variety. One hypothesis points to the mint at Ephesus, due to stylistic affinities with contemporary cistophori attributed to Ephesus, but many specimens display a different style. Another stylistic similarity has been proposed with the denarii of Augustus with bull reverse. The question of the mint remains open and difficult to resolve. It is generally accepted that the group dates from between 29 and 19/18 B.C., but this is not based on definitive evidence, rather on stylistic similarities with the cistophori.

Condition: Very fine.

Weight: 26.23 g.
Diameter: 36 mm. Estimate: € 1100