Octavian Augustus AR Denarius Vespasian IMP VES Countermark RIC 257 For Sale

Octavian – Silver Denarius with IMP VES CountermarkAn especially historical silver denarius of Octavian, the future emperor Augustus, struck during the final years of the Roman Republic and subsequently countermarked during the reign of Vespasian approximately a century later.The obverse depicts the bare head of Octavian facing right. In the left field is the distinctive rectangular IMP VES countermark, attributed to the reign of Vespasian and catalogued as Howgego 839.The reverse depicts a nude male figure seated right on a rock and playing a lyre, with CAESAR DIVI F across the field. The figure has traditionally been identified as Mercury, while an alternative scholarly interpretation identifies him as Apollo and connects the imagery with Octavian’s victory at Actium.The IMP VES countermark adds an additional layer of history to the coin. These marks are associated with silver circulating in Asia Minor during the Flavian period and are generally interpreted as validating older Roman silver for continued circulation. Thus, this denarius provides tangible evidence of an Octavianic coin remaining in use for roughly a century before being officially countermarked under Vespasian.Ruler: Octavian, later Augustus
Date: 32–31 BC
Denomination: AR Denarius
Diameter: 19 mm
Weight: 3.5 g
Obverse: Bare head of Octavian right; rectangular IMP VES countermark
Reverse: Seated figure playing lyre; CAESAR DIVI F
References: RIC I 257; CRI 401; RSC 61
Countermark: Howgego 839An unusual combination of an important Octavian denarius type with a historically significant Flavian countermark—appealing to collectors of Augustus, Vespasian, Roman Imperatorial silver, and ancient countermarks.The coin pictured is the exact coin offered.