Coins of Augustus

Augustus, the first Roman emperor, designed many of his coins to boost the Roman people's opinion of him.

Roman Legionary Standard commemorating Augustus’ victory over Marc Antony at Actium

This coin is a Roman Legionary Standard that was minted to commemorate Augustus’ (Then Octavian) victory over his nemesis of the civil war, Marc Antony.
As the battle was won in 31BC, this coin was likely minted c.30-27BC.
The depiction of a war ship on the coin’s reverse was likely done to serve as a reminder to the people of wherever it was distributed to, whether it be Rome, Italy, or one of the provinces, of Augustus’ victory and naval superiority.
The function of a Legionary Standard coin was usually to commemorate a victory in battle, but they were also used to pay the soldiers of said battle.
While the obverse of this coin is faded, we can make out the presence of ‘VI LEG’ meaning it was a standard of the VI legion, as well as the depiction of an aquila, which was common amongst legionary standards such as this one.

Roman Denarius depicting the head of Augustus and his shield of virtues

This is a highly significant Roman Denarius that was most probably minted in the year 27BC.
We can infer this from the nature of the depictions on the coin. Firstly, the obverse depicts the head of Augustus, along with his name, Caesar Augustus. This tells us that the coin was minted in 27BC or after, as he was given this name by the senate in 27BC to couple his new status as Rome’s Princeps.
The central image on the reverse appears to be the ‘Shield of Augustus’ which the senate awarded him in 27BC to celebrate the combined virtues that made him the ideal Roman leader.
The wreath that adorns the shield is likely representative of the civic crown of oak leaves that decorated Augustus’ house, or the laurel wreath which he was allowed to wear, thanks to the honours he received from the senate in this year.
The inclusion of the Latin word ‘Servato’ on the reverse is probably also symbolic of Augustus becoming Princeps in 27BC. The English translation is ‘to save or protect’, which was essentially the role of the Princeps, as this justified the executive powers and honours he received, while also reaffirming that he was still not a monarch.
In short, this coin depicts the major successes of Augustus from the year 27BC.

Coin of Augustus depicting a Bull

This coin of Augustus that depicts his head and name (as usual) on the obverse, and a bull on the reverse, may seem simple and unimportant at first glance, but it is packed with deeper significance.
Firstly, the bull is a symbol that was frequently depicted in coinage and other commemorations of Julius Caesar, Augustus’’ adoptive father. In depicting the bull on his own coinage, Augustus was strengthening the connection with his deified father.
Furthermore, the bull was also representative of the goddess Venus, who Julius Caesar, and by extension his adopted son Augustus, claimed they could trace their lineage to. By reinforcing this familiar connection within their coinage, they were both subtly validating the apotheosis/deification of Julius Caesar, as well as establishing the divine lineage of Augustus in the minds of the common person.
The bull also symbolised strength, leadership, and victory, all qualities which Augustus was keen to solidify his association with.
The depiction of the bull may also imply that that coin was minted in Spain or Gual, given that Augustus wanted to combine the association of Bulls and strength that was present in the local traditions of these provinces, with Roman imagery. He did this to bolster Roman pride within these provinces.

Coin of Augustus that commemorates the retrieval of the Parthian Standards

This coin of Augustus depicts the head of Augustus, along with the inscription ‘III VIR’, on the obverse, and a kneeling Parthian, likely the Parthian King, returning the Parthian standards to Augustus after his victory.
The inscription ‘III VER’ was usually used to symbolise Augustus’ role as one of the 3 triumvirs
However, since Augustus defeated the Parthians in 20BC, over 10 years since the disbanding of the triumvirate, the inclusion of the inscription in this coin is curious
It was likely included for two main reasons: Firstly, to symbolically reaffirm Augustus’ alleged desire to maintain the Roman Republic and distance himself from association with monarchy. Secondly, to remind all citizens under roman authority that he had been given his authority and power legally, having followed constitutional procedure.
It is also possible, but unlikely, that this coin was minted in one of Rome’s provinces where the mould for the reverse was outdated, hence why the name Augustus appears on the reverse, rather than the obverse.
Augustus would have minted this coin to celebrate the fact that he was able to finally defeat the Parthians, and recover the over 100 Roman Standards that had been lost to them in previous battles by a number of Roman generals, most significantly, Marc Antony.
In immortalising this victory on his coinage, Augustus aimed to remind his citizens that he had accomplished what others, like Antony, could not. This reinforced the idea that he was the right man to be leading Rome.
However, the depiction of what is presumed to be the Parthian king Phraates on his knees before Augustus undermines’ Augustus’ own claim in Res Gestae 27 that Rome and Parthia had a ‘friendship’.[1]
It instead backs up Horace’ claims that Parthia ‘accepted the Roman imperium’ on its ‘knees’, left with no other option by the military force of Augustus.[2]
The contradiction of Augustus’ words in Res Gestae and the narrative of this coin illustrates Augustus’ often contrasting primary objectives: one being to portray peace and harmony between Rome and its provinces, the other being his desire to showcase his military victories and superiority; it can be difficult to present a society as simultaneously militarily dominated into submission, but also in total harmony and friendship with its conqueror.

[1] Augustus, Res Gestae 27

[2] Horace, Epistles 1.12.27-8