Augustus Bull Charging Left Rare AR Denarius Roman Empire 15-13 BC Museum Reproduction CSRD0028

Rare variety with laureate head of Augustus and bull charging left. The charging bull seen on this lovely denarius of Augustus refers to a victory won by his his biological father, Gaius Octavius, over rebelling slaves near the Greco-Italian city of Thurium. Augustus was actually given the name Gaius Octavius Thurinus at birth to mark the event, and his political opponents derisively called him “Thurinus” early in his political career. Far from taking offense, Octavian/Augustus embraced the title and employed the symbol of Thurium, a charging bull, on his coins. Interestingly, the variety with the bull charging to left, seen here, is about ten times rarer than the issue with bull charging right.

Originally called Octavian, his name is today known simply as Augustus which was the title given him by the Senate in the year 27 B.C. He was the grandnephew of Julius Caesar and was following an illustrious military career when Caesar was murdered. On hearing of this he set in motion a series of alliances meant to avenge his great-uncle’s assassins. He recruited Lepidus and Marc Antony for the task, defeated Brutus and his co-conspirators and then carved up the Roman world among the three. Lepidus was thus left in control of the African provinces, Marc Antony with Egypt and the eastern provinces and Octavian the rest including Rome itself.
The Triumvirate as it was called was unstable and they each began to plot against the other. Within a few years however Lepidus would be stripped of his powers and Marc Antony would be defeated in a major battle. Antony and his wife Cleopatra then committed suicide leaving Octavian as sole emperor. Octavian then became known and referred to by his title and went on to rule the Roman Empire for another 40 years. He did this while cooperating with the Senate and to him Romans owed much of the grandeur and influence that this empire became known for.
DESIGN:
Obverse side
Laureate head of Augustus, right
Legend:
AVGVSTVS DIVI F

Reverse side
Bull butting left
Legend:
IMP•X in ex.

A perfect choice for Numismatists, Historians, Military Veterans, Collectors.