RIC I (second edition) Augustus 340
Record status
Individual type · research required
Issuing entity
Roman EmpireRIC I (second edition) Augustus 340. Denomination: Denarius. Authority: Augustus. Mint: Rome. The obverse shows herald, standing, left, holding caduceus in right hand, and shield with star in left, with the legend AVGVST DIVI F LVDOS SAE.
The reverse shows four-rayed comet with tail above youthful head, laureate, right (Deified Julius Caesar), with the legend M SANQVINIVS IIIVIR.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 2
- Photograph views
- 7
- Catalogue references
- 1
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Augustus, born Gaius Octavius, was the first Roman emperor and ruled from 27 BC until his death in AD 14. Named as the primary heir of his great-uncle Julius Caesar, he established the principate and initiated an imperial cult. His reign inaugurated the Pax Romana, an era characterised by imperial peace across the Roman world.
This silver denarius was struck at the mint of Rome under the moneyer named in the reverse legend, "M SANQVINIVS IIIVIR". The denarius served as the standard Roman silver coin from its introduction around 211 BC until the third century AD. The obverse bears the inscription "AVGVST DIVI F LVDOS SAE", while the reverse depicts a four-rayed comet with a tail positioned above the youthful, laureate head of the deified Julius Caesar.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Silver
- Denomination
- Denarius
Technical characteristics
- Mint
- Rome
- Authority
- Augustus
Design
- Obverse
- Herald, standing, left, holding caduceus in right hand, and shield with star in left
- Reverse
- Four-rayed comet with tail above youthful head, laureate, right (Deified Julius Caesar)
- Obverse legend
- AVGVST DIVI F LVDOS SAE
- Reverse legend
- M SANQVINIVS IIIVIR
Identification
- Type reference
- RIC I (second edition) Augustus 340
- Denomination and metal
- Denarius, Silver
- Obverse legend to match
- AVGVST DIVI F LVDOS SAE
- Reverse legend to match
- M SANQVINIVS IIIVIR
- Source note
- Type description from the American Numismatic Society's Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE); individual specimens differ in die, flan size, weight and wear, and legend breaks may vary.
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Recorded
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Recorded
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Recorded
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
- RIC / OCREric.1(2).aug.340
Research required
- Editorial verification required.
- Weight, diameter and mint marks require specimen-level evidence.
- Source-linked specimen photographs are displayed with per-image credits and rights statements. Photograph availability does not establish permission; review each image’s stated terms and unresolved rights clearance.