RIC 266

Moneyer: Octavian, 44-27 BC.

Denomination: Denarius

Obverse:  Bare head of Octavian to right

Reverse:  Facade of the Curia Julia with a tetrastyle porch; on the architrave, IMP•CAESAR; in pediment, figure seated front between animals; on apex of roof, Victory standing facing on globe, holding wreath in her right hand and vexillum in her left; at each end of architrave, statues standing, each holding parazonium and scepter. 

Reference: RIC 266

Mint: uncertain Italian mint (Rome?);  autumn 30-summer 29. 

Weight:

Provenance:  Numismatica Ars Classica; from the collection of a mentor (a reknown Swiss ancient coins dealer active in the 70's and 80's who decided to stay anonymous) 

Note:  During its long and storied history, the Roman Senate convened in a series of buildings, most famously the Curia Julia commenced by Julius Caesar in about 45 BC and finished by his successor Octavian/Augustus in 29 BC. This coin, struck in 29 BC to celebrate completion of the project, gives a good idea of what the building looked like: A tall, rather austere brick structure with three large windows, topped by a gabled roof, resting on a stepped platform surmounted by a colonnade. A statue of Victory atop a globe graced the peak of the roof, with statues of other deities or notable Romans to either side. Augustus noted completion of the Curia Julia among the accomplishments listed in his Res Gestae: "I built the Senate House... with the power of the state entirely in my hands by universal consent, I extinguished the flames of civil wars, and then relinquished my control, transferring the Republic back to the authority of the Senate and the Roman people."

Collection : 16 Roman Republic