Dupondius with the Heads of Octavian and the Deified Caesar

Culture: Roman

Period: 36 B.C.

Material: Bronze

Dimensions: 32 mm in diameter; 20.3 grams

Price: 2 400 Euro

Ref: 9031

Provenance: From a German collection, acquired on 26 April 1973 from Nomos AG, Zurich.

Condition: Very beautiful with dark green patina. Small flan crack at the top.

Description: Heavy bronze coin with very fine portraits of Julius Caesar on the left and his adopted son Octavian on the right. With this issue, the young heir of Caesar sought to legitimize his claim to power. The complex inscription, of which only IMP is preserved here, originally reads IMP • CAESAR • DIVI • F • DIVI • IVLI, meaning Imperator Caesar, son of the Divine, [son] of the Divine Julius. The coin consolidates Octavian’s claim to rule by presenting him as the direct successor and son of the state god (Divus Iulius). The reverse side depicts the prora, the prow of a galley with an eye and a multi-level structure. It refers to Octavian's naval victories, such as those against Sextus Pompeius, and to the military power that enabled him to pacify Rome. The inscription on the reverse reads CIV for Colonia Iulia Viennensium and confirms Vienne's status as a Roman colony named after Julius Caesar.