★ Agrippa, Augustus’ Intended Heir ★

Augustus, with Agrippa. 27 BC-AD 14. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.47 g, 7h). Rome mint; C. Sulpicius Platorinus, moneyer. Struck 13 BC. CAESAR AVGVSTVS, bare head of Augustus right / M • AGRIPPA PLATORINVS • III [• VIR], bare head of Agrippa right. RIC I 408; RSC 3 (Agrippa and Augustus); BMCRE 112-4 = BMCRR Rome 4654-6; BN 533-5. Handsome old cabinet tone, some iridescence on reverse. Near EF. Two bold portraits. Rare.

From the collection of Professor David R. Beatty, C.M., O.B.E.; Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 40 (16 May 2007), lot 638 (hammer CHF 23,000).

Marcus Agrippa was Augustus’ boyhood friend, lieutenant and and eventual chosen heir, adopted by the emperor in 17 BC to ensure a smooth succession. Agrippa's prominence in political affairs was emphasized in 13 BC, when two of the three moneyers included Agrippa on their coin types. Succession was not to be, however, as Agrippa died the following year.