Silver denarius of Octavian (Augustus)
Unknown Artist
ca. 29–27 BCE
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
13/16 × 1/16 in., 3.8g (2.1 × 0.2 cm, 3.8g)
Classification
Coins
Culture & Period
Roman · Late Republican
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1908
Accession Number
08.170.89
Tags
Art Historical Context
Step into the turbulent world of Late Republican Rome with this exquisite silver denarius, minted around 29–27 BCE, the profile of Octavian—soon to be enshrined as Emperor Augustus. Struck from high-quality silver and weighing just 3. grams, this tiny coin (measuring about 2.1 cm in diameter) was a cornerstone of Roman economy and propaganda. As the standard silver currency, denarii like this circulated widely, funding armies and trade while broadcasting the ruler's image to the masses. Minted in the aftermath of Octavian's victory at Actium in 31 BCE, this coin captures a pivotal moment: the...