Obverse: bare head of Augustus facing right. Reverse: round shield inscribed CL • V with aquila and signum flanking, SIGNIS above and RECEPTIS below, S P Q R around.

Augustus, the first Roman emperor, consolidated power after Actium in 31 BC and ruled until AD 14, presiding over the transformation of the Republic into the Principate.

The reverse commemorates the diplomatic recovery in 20 BC of the legionary standards lost by Crassus at Carrhae in 53 BC and by Antony in his Parthian campaign, a bloodless triumph that Augustus broadcast across his coinage as a restoration of Roman honor; the *clipeus virtutis*, the golden shield voted to him by the Senate in 27 BC for his virtues, anchors the design.

Reverse legend: SIGNIS RECEPTIS S P Q R, CL V, "The standards having been recovered, the Senate and People of Rome," with CL V expanding to *Clipeus Virtutis*, the Shield of Virtue. SPQR is the standard abbreviation for *Senatus Populusque Romanus*.

Lightly handled with alluring underlying luster and iridescent toning across both sides. Very well centered.

Well-struck coin with excellent surface preservation.

Banker's marks, small scrape on obverse, reverse off center

Light golden toning, weakly struck in areas, underlying luster

Excellent portrait with well-struck obverse and moderate surface wear.

Toned with some iridescence, obverse banker's mark, a couple edge marks, a few scratches.

Lightly toned with a test cut on obverse and a few scratches.

A few light marks and scratches, test cut on obverse.

Toned with bankers' marks on obverse, cleaning scratches, and areas of encrustation.

Black find patina with a few shallow scratches

Deep cabinet tone, bankers' marks and edge chip on obverse

Pleasantly toned with solid strike and shimmering surfaces, problem free.

Attractive cabinet toning, traces of die rust on obverse, struck slightly off center

Several flan flaws on the reverse. Otherwise choice example.

Extremely well struck with superb detail in the locks of hair. Reverse design well centered with both standard and aquila present. Nice toning.

Lustrous, sharply struck. Good centering despite slightly oblong planchet. Appealing high relief portrait.


1/16/26	$1,500	XF	Stack's Bowers	— 0%
9/2/25	$780	VF	Stack's Bowers	▲ +23%
2/19/25	$450	VF	CNG	▼ −29%
1/23/25	$700	VF	CNG	▲ +10%
1/23/25	$550	VF	CNG	▼ −13%

Denarius of AugustusRIC I 86a

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