Augustus – Hand-Struck Silver Denarius Replica (Armenia Capta)

Overview & Craftsmanship

This Augustus “Armenia Capta” AR denarius is a modern, hand-struck sterling silver replica inspired by the ancient Roman silver denarii issued under Emperor Augustus circa 19 BC to commemorate the Armenia Capta type celebrating Rome’s dominance over Armenia. Each piece is individually hammered in solid silver using traditional striking methods, producing irregular flans, varied relief, and surface character comparable to ancient originals. The design faithfully reflects documented ancient examples, with the bare head of Augustus on the obverse and the iconic Armenian tiara with bowcase and quiver on the reverse, as seen on historic specimens.

Unlike cast or machine-pressed copies, hand-struck replicas retain the depth, texture, and individuality characteristic of ancient coinage.

Historical & Numismatic Background

• This coin celebrates the ‘victory’ over the Armenians. This occurred when the Armenians requested the Romans to replace their present king, Artaxis, with his Romanized brother Tigranes, who had been living as an exile in Rome for ten years. Augustus sent Tiberius to deal with the matter. In the event, the Armenians themselves removed Artaxes, Tiberius arriving late to be of help. However, the Romans, always ready to use propaganda to their advantage, treated this ‘victory’ as a monumental diplomatic triumph.
• In the first century BCE, Armenia was an extensive kingdom covering much of eastern Turkey and parts of Iran and the Caucasus. A buffer state between the contending empires of Rome and Parthia, it was often invaded and constantly a target of intrigue. In 20 BCE, Augustus placed a Roman client king, Tigranes III (ruled 20 – 10 BCE), on the Armenian throne.
  This diplomatic triumph was celebrated on a series of coins.
• The silver denarius inscribed ARMENIA CAPTA combines symbols associated with the region: the distinctive tall “tiara” crown worn by Armenian kings, and a bow case and quiver (Armenian cavalry were famed for their skill in archery).

Numismatic References:

This replica is inspired by ancient issues documented in standard numismatic references, including:

– Augustus AR Denarius, RIC 515

– BMCRE 673

Technical Details & Variations

Type: Augustus Armenia Capta denarius replica

Denomination represented: AR Denarius

Authority / Mint: Pergamon

Era represented: 19-18 BC

Material: Sterling silver (AR)

Weight: 3.19gr

Dimensions: 18.5mm

Manufacturing method: Hand-struck (hammered)

Obverse: Bare head of Augustus right
Legend:
AVGVSTVS

Reverse: Armenian tiara with quiver of arrows and a bow in bowcase
Legend:
ARMENIA CAPTA

Due to the traditional hand-striking process, variations in weight, diameter, strike, and surface are expected.

Availability & Variations

When listed as “Add to Cart,” the coin shown in the photographs is the exact piece you will receive.

When listed as “Order Now,” the coin will be hand-struck to order. Each newly struck piece will differ slightly in appearance, reflecting the traditional minting process.

Intended Use

Suitable for:

– collectors of ancient and historical coinage

– academic or educational reference

– museum or exhibition display

– historically accurate reenactment

– high-quality numismatic gifts

Replica Disclaimer

This item is a modern, hand-struck replica inspired by ancient coinage. It is not an original ancient coin.