AUGUSTUS AS
(ca.7 B.C. Coin of the Master of the Mint M Salvius Otho )
Obverse:
Titulature: CAESAR AVGVST PONT MAX TRIBVNIC POT. The head of Augustus, facing left, crowned by a goddess of victory placed behind him. Globe at the top of the neck.
Reverse:
Titulature: MSALVIVSOTHOIIIVIRAAAFF; SC.
- Hand stamped
- Bronze-coloured
- Diameter 3,1 cm
- May show slight signs of wear
- Material Pewter
Coinage under Emperor Augustus
Around 23 BC, Augustus carried out what was probably the most important reform in the Roman Empire, that of the means of payment, the Roman coins. His aim, a stable currency to guarantee the Roman citizens a stable economic system. This regulation was to dominate coinage for several centuries. Augustus introduced a trimetallic monetary system. He reactivated the bronze currency, which had been abolished around 90 BC, for the ace, silver for the denarius and gold for the aureus.
The classification and significance of the coins with the inscription SC on the reverse is still disputed today. It is assumed that this abbreviation stands for "Senatus Consulto", "by decision of the Senate". Whether the Senate was thus also guaranteed the right to mint coins or only as a reminder of the Senate's honours and awards to the Emperor Augustus remains unclear to this day. It can be assumed with certainty, however, that this coin was used exclusively in the Roman coin trade.
The types of coins circulated under Augustus, about 500, are very diverse and served different purposes. Here, foreign policy, self-portrayal and the position of the emperor as such were of the greatest importance. In addition to the artistically high-quality portraits of the emperor on the obverse, the goddess Victoria and the zodiac sign Capricorn in the representation of a hybrid being are most frequently found on the reverse.
