Octavian - denarius - Sear 1557, Sear Imperators 421, Clive Foss 15, Van Meter 27, RIC I 266

Denarius, 21 mm, 3,47 gr

Bare head of Octavian right /
IMP CAESAR on the architrave of the Roman Senate House (Curia Julia), Curia Julia, central paneled doors with three rows of three medallions, three windows above and porch supported by four short columns. Legend on the architrave of the Curia Juli. Surmounting the apex of roof, a statue of Victory facing with wreath in right hand and vexillum in left, on globe. At the extremities of the architrave two statues of standing figures turned inward, scepter in outer hand and parazonium in inner hand. In the pediment a figure is shown seated between two birds vis-à-vis.

The construction of the Curia Julia, the new senate house, began under Julius Caesar in 44 BC. It was completed and dedicated by Octavian on 28 August 29 BC. The remains of the Senate House are still visible today and appears is fairly well-preserved due to the fact that it was converted into a Church for St. Hadrian in 630 CE. Much of the original decoration was removed either after the conversion of the building into a church or after the forum itself was abandoned, however a lot of the marble flooring remains impeccably preserved.