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Crawford 518/1, ROMAN IMPERATORIAL, Octavian, AR Denarius
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Rome. The Imperators.
Octavian and Lucius Cornelius Balbus, 41 BCE
AR Denarius (3.36 grams; 18mm).
Military mint in Italy.
Obverse: C•CAESAR • III • VIR R•P•C; Bare head of Octavian, facing right.
Reverse: Club; BALBVS above, PRO • PR below
References: Crawford 518/1; HCRI 298; Sydenham 1325a; BMCRR (Gaul) 83-5; Julia 91.
Provenance: Ex Andrew McCabe Collection [CNG Esale 432 (14 Nov 2018) Lot 276]; ex American Numismatic Society Collection 1001.1.12863 [CNG 96 (14 May 2014) Lot 732]; ex Archer M. Huntington (d. 1955) Collection.
This scarce type was produced by Octavian’s legate, Lucius Cornelius Balbus, as propraetor. Balbus was a native of Gades (Cadiz) in Spain where there was a temple to Hercules, to which the Club reverse alludes. Balbus was favored and honored by both Pompey and Caesar. Upon Caesar’s assassination, he allied with Octavian who appointed him praetor urbanus and ultimately, in 40 BCE, he received the consulship (the first foreign-born citizen to do so). He was extremely wealthy and bequeathed 25 denarii to every Roman citizen in his will!
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![Crawford 518/1, ROMAN IMPERATORIAL, Octavian, AR Denarius
Rome. The Imperators.
Octavian and Lucius Cornelius Balbus, 41 BCE
AR Denarius (3.36 grams; 18mm).
Military mint in Italy.
Obverse: C•CAESAR • III • VIR R•P•C; Bare head of Octavian, facing right.
Reverse: Club; BALBVS above, PRO • PR below
References: Crawford 518/1; HCRI 298; Sydenham 1325a; BMCRR (Gaul) 83-5; Julia 91.
Provenance: Ex Andrew McCabe Collection [CNG Esale 432 (14 Nov 2018) Lot 276]; ex American Numismatic Society Collection 1001.1.12863 [CNG 96 (14 May 2014) Lot 732]; ex Archer M. Huntington (d. 1955) Collection.
This scarce type was produced by Octavian’s legate, Lucius Cornelius Balbus, as propraetor. Balbus was a native of Gades (Cadiz) in Spain where there was a temple to Hercules, to which the Club reverse alludes. Balbus was favored and honored by both Pompey and Caesar. Upon Caesar’s assassination, he allied with Octavian who appointed him praetor urbanus and ultimately, in 40 BCE, he received the consulship (the first foreign-born citizen to do so). He was extremely wealthy and bequeathed 25 denarii to every Roman citizen in his will!](albums/userpics/34967/4320276.jpg "Crawford 518/1, ROMAN IMPERATORIAL, Octavian, AR Denarius
Rome. The Imperators.
Octavian and Lucius Cornelius Balbus, 41 BCE
AR Denarius (3.36 grams; 18mm).
Military mint in Italy.
Obverse: C•CAESAR • III • VIR R•P•C; Bare head of Octavian, facing right.
Reverse: Club; BALBVS above, PRO • PR below
References: Crawford 518/1; HCRI 298; Sydenham 1325a; BMCRR (Gaul) 83-5; Julia 91.
Provenance: Ex Andrew McCabe Collection [CNG Esale 432 (14 Nov 2018) Lot 276]; ex American Numismatic Society Collection 1001.1.12863 [CNG 96 (14 May 2014) Lot 732]; ex Archer M. Huntington (d. 1955) Collection.
This scarce type was produced by Octavian’s legate, Lucius Cornelius Balbus, as propraetor. Balbus was a native of Gades (Cadiz) in Spain where there was a temple to Hercules, to which the Club reverse alludes. Balbus was favored and honored by both Pompey and Caesar. Upon Caesar’s assassination, he allied with Octavian who appointed him praetor urbanus and ultimately, in 40 BCE, he received the consulship (the first foreign-born citizen to do so). He was extremely wealthy and bequeathed 25 denarii to every Roman citizen in his will!")
