Lot 29
Augustus (27 BC–AD 14) AR Denarius, uncertain mint, c. 17 BC, 3.87g.
Auction: 23 November 2026, 10:30 GMT
Description
Bare youthful head (Gaius?) right, CAESAR below, all within an oak-wreath. Rev. Candelabrum (or incense-burner) decorated with ram’s heads, within a wreath decorated with paterae and bucrania, AVG-VST across. (RIC 540; BMC 684). Extremely Fine. A spectacular and beautifully composed reverse design, unique to the reign of Augustus. Rare.
Augustus adopted his grandsons Gaius and Lucius Caesar in 17 BC, marking his intention to include them both in his plans for the succession. The portrait on the obverse of this coin, taken with the legend ‘CAESAR’ appearing below it, has traditionally been identified as that of Gaius, but more recent thinking has attributed it to that of a youthful portrait of Augustus himself. The precise identification remains unclear.
