Silver Denarius of Emperor Augustus - C.3030Origin: MediterraneanCirca: 27 BC to 14 ADCollection: NumismaticsStyle: RomanMedium: Silver.The text on the reverse, “C(Gaius) L(ucius) CAESARES AVGVSTI F(ilii) CO(n)S(ules) DESIG(nati) PRINC(epes) IVVENT(utis),” can be translated as, “Gaius and Lucius Ceasar, sons of Augustus, consuls elect, first among the youth.” This inscription refers to Augustus’ dynastic aspirations. Gaius and Lucius Caesar were the sons of Augustus’ daughter Julia and her husband Marcus Agrippa. They were adopted by Augustus as young boys in 17 B.C. in order to someday become his heirs. The depiction of the young men standing holding spears and shields represents their coming of age, for both had now completed their military service and could be elected to the consulate. Pictured above them are a simpulum and a lituus. The simpulum was one of the insignia of the college of pontiffs and is symbolic of Gaius who became a pontiff in 7 BC. A lituus is an augural staff that was the symbol for the college of augurs and refers to Lucius who was appointed as an augur.

Antique Coins
Ancient coins