The George W. La Borde Collection of Roman Aurei Part I
THE ROMAN EMPIRE
Octavian as Augustus, 27 BC – 14 AD
Aureus, Samos (?) circa 21-20 BC, AV 7.88 g. CAESAR Bare head r. Rev. AVGVSTVS Young bull standing r. Bahrfeldt 138 (this coin illustrated on p. 124 of the text). BMC –, p. 107 662 note (this coin). RIC –, cf. 475 (denarius). CBN –, cf. 941-943 (denarius). Calicó 172a. Published in Publications de la Société pour la Recherche et la Conservation des Monuments Historiques dans le Grand-Duché de Luxembourg XIX, 1863 p. 137, 1 and pl. II, 1 (this coin). Rambach-Walker, SNR 91, 6.2 (this coin).
Of the highest rarity, only three specimens known of this variety. An intriguing issue
of great fascination and importance with an unusual and interesting portrait.
Minor marks, otherwise very fine / good very fine
Provenance
Carlo d’Ottavio Fontana (1774-1832) Collection sold by Me V.L.J.B. Delbergue-Cormont auctioneer, Henri Hoffmann expert, auction, Paris, 25 June 1860 sqq., lot 721 for 55 francs.
Dr. Karl Gustav Elberling (1797-1873) Collection sold en-bloc to Rollin & Feuardent (Paris).
Frédéric Engel-Gros (1843-1918) Collection sold by M. Flair-Dubreuil auctioneer, Feuardent expert, auction, Paris, 17 December 1921, lot 72, for 925 Francs.
Raymundo Ottoni de Castro Maya (1894-1968) Collection sold by Alphonse Bellier auctioneer, Emile Bourgey expert, auction, Paris, 18 November 1957, lot 269, for 200’000 Francs.
Richard Prideaux (b. 1948) Collection sold by Classical Numismatic Group, auction Triton XI, New York, 8 January 2008, lot 670.
Alberto Campana Collection sold by Numismatica Ars Classica, Zurich, auction 59, 4-5 April 2011, lot 876.

The bull was one of the most ancient symbols to mankind, and it assumes a prominent place in the arts of ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern civilizations. The strength, vigour and potency of the bull were universally recognized, and since these qualities were much admired, the bull became an important emblem. Domination of the bull - ranging from the bull-leaping exercises of Cretan acrobats to the slaying of a bull in ritual sacrifice - represents a symbolic triumph of the human spirit over the primitive forces of nature. For the Romans the bull was an important symbol to priests and soldiers, and thus to emperors. It was the symbol of all legions formed by Julius Caesar because of its association with Venus, the legendary ancestress of the Julii. However, the meaning of the bull on this aureus (and its related denarii) is far from certain. A military connection is possible (even likely), though the symbol of legions formed by Augustus was a Capricorn. A connection has been suggested with the city of Samos, a proposed mint for this aureus, which was Augustus’ headquarters during his visit to the East from 21 to 19 B.C.
Just like the symbolism of the type, the date and mint of this issue are not certainly known. Published opinions vary widely, with the only general agreement being that it was struck in the East; it may have been struck at Pergamum or another major mint in the region as early as 27 B.C., or in 19 B.C. or later.