The Roman Empire
Octavian as Augustus, 27 BC – 14 AD
Tetradrachm, Antiochia Syriae October – December 3 BC, AR 15.35 g. KAISAROS SE - BASTOS Laureate head r. Rev. ETOUS - QK - NIKHS Tyche of Antiochia seated r., holding palm branch, her r. foot placed on the shoulder of river god Orontes swimming r.; in r. field UPA ligate IB / ANTC ligate. RPC 4154. Prieur 53.
In exceptional condition for the issue, possibly among the finest specimens known.
Struck on an unusually fresh metal for this issue. Good extremely fine Ex Hirsch sale 256, 2008, 456.
This specific coin was selected for the upcoming Roman portrait book (see introduction to the auction).
This coin is, in my view, the most beautiful surviving example of this series, both for style and condition. Augustus is depicted here with the highest artistic skills, which seem to have survived from the days of classical Greece. AMP