Civil War, Vindex AR Denarius. Uncertain mint in Gaul, AD 68. AVG DIVI•F, laureate head of the deified Augustus to right / S•P•Q•R within oak wreath, circular jewel in bezel at apex. Martin -; Nicolas -; BMCRE -; C. -; RIC -, cf. 104; Roma XXI, 547 (sold for £2,400). 3.50g, 17mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine; old cabinet tone and attractive golden hues. Unpublished in the standard references and of the highest rarity.

From the Santana Collection;
Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XVI, 26 September 2018, lot 684;
Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction VII, 22 March 2014, lot 1010 (hammer: £6,000).

Kraay noted the unusual presence of SPQR within a wreath on these coins of Vindex. He states: "it will have been noticed that the earlier formula of SPQR has replaced the Neronian EX SC. In strict Augustan usage SPQR never accompanied the corona, but always the clipeus virtutis of the inscription on which it formed the opening words. However, the choice of SPQR was probably deliberate and represented something more than the mere blurring of Augustan distinction. That broad basis of public and Senatorial support which the principate had had in the days of Augustus was to be restored to it."