The Roman Empire
Octavian, as Augustus 27 BC – 14 AD
As, Auxiliary mint in Gaul 8 BC, Æ 11.24 g. CAESAR – PONT MAX Laureate head r. Rev. ROM ET AVG Front elevation of the Altar of Lugdunum. C 240. BMC 550. RIC 230. CBN 1634.
Very rare. Dark green patina and good very fine
Privately purchased from Ed Waddell. Ex Hirsch sale 220, 2002, 1528.

This piece, which seems to belong to the larger series of Altar of Lugdunum issues which appear toward the end of Augustus’ reign is differentiated only by the obverse legend ”CAESAR PONT MAX”. RIC attributes this coin to 15 to after 10 BC or possibly later. If indeed this coin was minted this early it seems strange that the type was reprised for a second much larger issue sometime around 12 AD. RIC also attributes this piece to the Lugdunum mint but stylistically the portrait differs from the later issues. Could this issue have been produced later at a different mint to coincide with the larger series? MSG.