Description
| Roman Imperial. Augustus (27 BC-14 AD). Q. Rustius. Denarius, c. 19 BC, Rome mint. | |
| Obverse: | Q RVSTIVS FORTVNAE / ANTIAT. Jugate busts right of Fortuna Victrix, draped, wearing a helmet and holding a patera, and Fortuna Felix, draped, wearing stephane. Both set on bar with ram-heads. |
| Reverse: | CAESARI AVGVSTO / EX S C. Ornamented rectangular altar on a base with the inscription FOR RE. |
| Dimensions: | AR, 3.65 g, 19 mm, 8h. |
| References: | RIC Augustus 322; BMC 4; Cohen 513. |
| Condition: | Slightly toned, some scratches, bankers’ mark on obverse. Good fine. |
| Provenance: | From a western German collection, built up over the last 30 years. |
| Comment: | In the Battle of Carrhae (53 BC), Crassus lost against the Parthians and the important aquilas remained in the Parthian hands. When Augustus 30 BC When he became sole ruler, many Romans expected him to rule the Parthians. 20 BC He concluded Friden with the Parthian King Phraates IV. In this way he got the symbolic legionary eagles back. The reference to Fortuna celebrates Augustus’ safe return to Rome in 19 BC, when an altar was erected by the Senate at Porto Capena, which is probably shown on the reverse of this coin. The statues of Fortuna Victrix and Fortuna Felix probably represent a monument sponsored by the moneyer himself. Fortuna was worshipped as Fortuna Victrix as well as Fortuna Felix. Therefore she received the name Fortuna Antiates which is shown on the coin’s legend. |
