Augustus Coins

Born Gaius Octavius, he was adopted by Julius Caesar and became the first Roman emperor after defeating Mark Antony and Cleopatra at Actium. He transformed the Roman Republic into the Principate, inaugurating the Pax Romana and establishing the imperial system that would endure for centuries.

Augustus founded the Roman Empire as a political system and established the Julio-Claudian dynasty. His reign of over 40 years set the template for imperial rule, administration, and propaganda that would define Rome for centuries.

Key Events

Coinage

Augustan coinage established the standard imperial denominations and introduced systematic portrait coinage. His issues are among the most varied and politically significant of all Roman emperors, with types commemorating military victories, dynastic succession, and religious piety.

Collecting Guide

Augustus is one of the most rewarding rulers to collect because the denomination range spans from tiny bronze quadrantes to gold aurei, accommodating every budget. A natural starting point is the common Lugdunum denarii with their distinctive portrait style and AVGVSTVS reverse, these appear regularly at auction and from dealers for $300–600 in VF. Collectors looking for variety can build a set by mint (Rome, Lugdunum, eastern mints) or by reverse type (military victories, dynastic propaganda, religious themes). The Crocodile type commemorating the conquest of Egypt and the CAESAR DIVI F capricorn denarius are iconic pieces that anchor any Augustan collection. For advanced collectors, the eastern mint issues from Ephesus and Pergamum are scarcer and harder to attribute, offering genuine research challenges.

Market Overview

Common Lugdunum denarii in VF sell for $300–600, with portrait quality and centering driving premiums within that range. The iconic Crocodile type commands $800–2,000 depending on condition. Sestertii and dupondii are harder to find well-preserved, expect $500–2,000 for presentable examples. Gold aurei start at roughly $5,000 for common types and climb rapidly for scarce varieties or sharp strikes. Eastern mint denarii carry a 30–50% premium over equivalent Rome/Lugdunum issues due to relative scarcity. The market for Augustan coinage is deep and liquid, good coins sell readily, and the base of active collectors is broad.

Related Resources

Further Reading

• Roman Imperial Coinage, Volume I (revised), C.H.V. Sutherland
• Coinage and Identity in the Roman Provinces, Christopher Howgego