Roman Imperial: Augustus (27 BC-AD 14). AR cistophorus (25mm, 11.94 gm, 1h). NGC Choice VF 4/5 - 4/5....

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Ex Schrang Collection

Augustus (27 BC-AD 14). AR cistophorus (25mm, 11.94 gm, 1h). NGC Choice VF 4/5 - 4/5. Ephesus, ca. 25-20 BC. IMP•-CAE-SAR, bare head of Augustus right; linear border / AVGVSTVS, capricorn right, head reverted, bearing cornucopia on back; all within laurel wreath. RIC I 477. Shimmery deep lavender toning with defined detail.

From the LII Collection of Historical Coins and Medals. Ex Frederick C. Schrang, Jr. Collection; Spink-Smythe, Auction 312 (17 January 2012), lot 1170.

After visiting the astrologer Theogenes at Apollonia around 45/44 BC with his friend Agrippa, Augustus (then Octavian) became more assured of his destined greatness. Suetonius, the ancient Roman historian, mentions that Augustus, inspired by the astrological significance of his birth under the sign of Capricorn, issued a silver coin bearing this sign. This coinage symbolically represented not only Augustus's belief in the protective and auspicious power of Capricorn but also served as a potent emblem of his destined leadership and the commencement of a new era of Roman rule under his auspices.

Schrang, though not a musician himself, represented many famous ones, including Enrico Caruso (a numismatist as well as a tenor) and the Trapp Family Singers (the inspiration for The Sound of Music).

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