COIN (ROMAN)

A silver denarius of Augustus dating to the period 2 BC to AD 9 (Reece Period 1). C L CAESARES AVGVSTI F COS DESIG PRINC IVVENT reverse type depicting Gaius and Lucius standing front, on left and right, each togate and resting hand on shield; behind each shield, a spear; above, on l., a simpulum to r. and on r., a lituus to l. Mint of Lugdunum. RIC I (rev.ed.), p.55, no.207.


This coin is an example of the relatively common C L CAESARES AVGVSTI F COS DESIG PRINC IVVENT issues minted at Lugdunum between 2 BC and AD 9 (RIC I rev.ed, p.55-56). Traces of gilding on both sides indicate that it was probably adapted in an attempt to pass it off as the similar, but much heavier, aureus (RIC I, p.55, no. 206).  The other possibility is that it is a silver plated copy (normally on an iron core at this time, thus explaining the brown colour of some of the coin) and that some of the silver has oxidised to give a golden colour.


The surfaces of the coin are worn. It measures 18.7mm in diameter, 1.7mm thick and weighs 3.47g.


According to Sutherland, imitations of this coin series are '...of widespread provenance' (RIC I, rev.ed., p.55, footnote 205). What is not clear, however, is whether gilded denarii form part of this group of forgeries. No such coins appear to have hitherto been recorded on the PAS database.

Ruler: Augustus
Denomination: Denarius (Empire)
Material: Silver
Mint: Lugdunum
Obverse: Laureate head right.
Obverse legend: [CAESAR AVGVSTVS DIVI F PATER PATRIAE]
Reverse: Gaius and Lucius standing front, on left and right, each togate and resting hand on shield; behind each shield, a spear; above, on l., a simpulum to r. and on r., a lituus to l.
Reverse legend: (C L) CAESARES (ex.), AVGVSTI [F COS DESIG] PRINC IVVENT
Dated: -2.0 to 9.0
Weight (g): 3.47
Diameter (mm): 18.7
Thickness (mm): 1.7
Completeness: Complete
Preservation: Fair
Parish: Restricted Access
District: South Cambridgeshire
County: Cambridgeshire
Region: Eastern
Place known as: Duxford
Discovery method: Metal detector