Octavian, as Sole Imperator (31-27 BC). AR cistophorus (27mm, 11.77 gm, 12h). NGC XF 4/5 - 4/5. Ephesus, 30-29 BC. IMP CAESAR DIVI F COS LIBERTATIS P R VINDEX, laureate head of Octavian right / PAX, Pax standing left, holding caduceus; in right field, serpent emerging from within cista mystica; all within laurel wreath. RIC I 476. RPC I 2203. Sutherland group I. BMC 691. RSC 218. The obverse of this coin features an attractive portrait of Octavian with a remarkable legend describing him as "the Champion of Liberty and the People of Rome," which refers to his victory over Antony and Cleopatra only a few years earlier. The reverse is notable for the reduction of the traditional cistophoric type (a cista mystica with snakes emerging) to an adjunct symbol, while the main type features Pax to indicate the peace to come following Octavian's victory. Overall, this coin represents an important political type marking the resumption of cistophoric coin production after a hiatus of almost a decade.

HID09801242017

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