COIN (ROMAN)

A silver Roman denarius, possibly of Augustus (27 BC-AD 14) dating to the period c.19-18 BC (Reece period 1) or perhaps the Civil Wars (AD 68-69) dating to c.AD 68-69 (Reece period 4). DIVVS IVLIVS reverse type depicting the legend to left and right of an eight-rayed comet, tail downwards. Probably Spanish mint I (Colonia Caesaraugusta?).



Cf. RIC I (2nd ed.), p. 44, no. 37a. The weight and pelleted border are closer to the Augustan issues (RIC 37a, 102), although the slightly crude nature of the dies and the comet with tail downwards finds parallels in the Augustus series issued during the Civil Wars of AD 68-69 (see RIC I (2nd ed.), p. 211, no. 92; BMC no. 49).



Diameter:18.78 mm

Weight: 3.64 g

Die axis: 5

Ruler: Augustus
Denomination: Denarius (Empire)
Material: Silver
Mint: Spain
Mintmark: -//-
Obverse: Head right, with oak wreath?
Obverse legend: CAESAR-AVGVSTVS
Reverse: Comet of eight rays, tail downwards, legend across to left and right
Reverse legend: DIVVS-IVLIVS
Dated: -18.0 to 69.0
Weight (g): 3.64
Diameter (mm): 18.78
Completeness: Complete
Parish: Cheselbourne
District: West Dorset
County: Dorset
Region: South West
Discovery method: Metal detector