Ancient Coins and Antiquities

Roman Imperial Coinage, The Civil Wars (68-69), Revolt of Vindex, Denarius, Vienna, 68, salvs generis hvmani, Victory standing left on globe, holding wreath and palm, rev. spqr in oak wreath, 3.48g (RIC I 72; RSC 430). About very fine, scarce £300-£400

These coins are notable for the moderate nature of their types. The revolutionary’s portrait and name are absent; instead the coins promote the aims of peace and the restoration of senatorial power in the Principate. The figure of Victory on the reverse imitates a statue located outside one of Rome’s main senate houses. Octavian transferred the monument from Tarentum to the forecourt of the Julia Curia in 29 BC as part of his wider attempts to ingratiate himself with the senate. This image, which appeared frequently on the coinage of Augustus, became a shorthand for promoting senatorial power and influence in the early Principate. Likewise, the oak wreath upon the reverse depicts the corona civica, an honour that the senate bestowed on Octavian in 27 BC for his clemency and timely termination of the civil war.