Ottaviano e il divino Cesare
20.4.2005
salve sig. De Florio
la disturbo per avere un suo parere in merito a questa moneta:
sesterzio/dupondio  di Ottaviano e J. Cesare
D: DIVI F CAESAR
R:DIVOS IULIVS
il peso è di 13,15 gr x 30 mm
puo'  indicarmi il grado di rarità ed il valore della moneta in questo 
stato di conservazione ?
cordiali saluti
Duisburg, 23.4.2005
Gentile Lettrice,
di seguito trascrivo i dati significativi pertinenti alla moneta di figura: 

Dupondio/Sesterzio1, zecca itinerante al seguito di Ottaviano, 38 a. C. o successivo, Cr. 535/1, Syd 1335, indice di rarità secondo Sydenham "(3)".

D. Testa nuda di Ottaviano a destra barbato; dinanzi  CAESAR in senso orario a scendere, dietro DIVI F in senso antiorario a scendere2.
R. Testa coronata di Cesare a destra; dinanzi DIVOS3 in senso orario a scendere, dietro IVLIVS in senso antiorario a scendere4

La ricerca nel web ha prodotto i seguenti risultati:

  1. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/augustus/RPC_0620.1.jpg Lot Number: 64310 Estimate: $200.00 Final Sale Price: $357.50 Denomination: Dupondius Grade: Fine red-brown patina Reference: Crawford 535/1; CRI 308; Sydenham 1335; RPC 620 Octavian & Divus Julius Caesar. After 38 BC. Æ Dupondius (11.97 gm). Uncertain Italian mint. CAESAR DIVI F, bare head of Octavian right / DIVOS IVLIVS, wreathed head of Caesar right. Crawford 535/1; CRI 308; Sydenham 1335; RPC 620. Fine, red-brown patina, light porosity. Estimate $200. Online auction number 38 closed September 24, 2001.
  2. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/augustus/RPC_0620-o.jpg

  3. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/augustus/RPC_0620-r.jpg ORC8433 Julius Caesar portrait dup. G, NR Octavian & Divos Julius Caesar, Æ dupondius, (12.72g) c. 38 BC, Italian Mint, DIV[I F CAESAR] Bare head of Octavian right. / [DIVOS IVLIVS] Head of Julius Caesar right. Vagi 71; RPC 620; C 535/1. G, dark brown patina. US $25.49 bidder - now Ends Mar-03-03
  4. http://www.coinarchives.com/a/lotviewer.php?LotID=46567&AucID=50&Lot=1956 Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung > Auction 122 Auction date: March 10th, 2003 Lot number: 1956 Price realized: 340 EUR (approx. 376 U.S. Dollars as of the auction date) Lot description: RÖMISCHE REPUBLIK RÖMISCHE REPUBLIK NACH 211 v.Chr. Objekt-Nr.: 1956 Octavian, 38 v. Chr. AE Bronze, (13,38 g.), Mzst. in Italien. Vs.: CAESAR DIVI F, bärtiger Kopf des Oktavian n.r. Rs.: DIVOS IVLIVS, bekränzter Kopf Cäsars nach r. Cr. 535/1 Schöne grüne Patina, ss Estimation: € 300,00 Hammer price: € 340,00
  5. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/sear5/s1569.html Description 69, Lot: 78. OCTAVIAN, with DIVUS JULIUS CAESAR. After 38 BC. Æ Dupondius (29mm, 16.10 gm). Southern Italian mint(?). Estimate $500. Sold For $610 OCTAVIAN, with DIVUS JULIUS CAESAR. After 38 BC. Æ Dupondius (29mm, 16.10 gm). Southern Italian mint(?). Bare head of Octavian right, wearing slight beard / Wreathed head of Caesar right. Crawford 535/1; RPC I 620; CRI 308; Sydenham 1335. VF, black-green patina, minor pitting
  6. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/imp/octavian/cohen_0003.1.jpg Date: B.C. 038 Reference: Sear 465, RSC - Obverse: DIVI F CAESAR, Bare head of Octavian r. Reverse: DIVOS IVLIVS, Laureate head of Julius Caesar right Mintmark: none Condition: F, corroded. Currently $177.50 Ends 10/05/99
  7. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/imp/octavian/cohen_0003.2.jpg Date: B.C. 038 Reference: Sear 465, RSC - Obverse: DIVI F CAESAR, Bare head of Octavian r. Reverse: DIVOS IVLIVS, Laureate head of Julius Caesar right Mintmark: none Condition: VG Currently $18.50 Ends 10/05/99
  8. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/imp/octavian/cohen_0003.3.jpg Description This coin was minted circa 38 BC under the authority of Octavian, who was the declared heir of Julius Caesar, and who campaigned against Mark Antony following Caesar's death to determine the fate of the Roman world. Antony's defeat at Actium in 31 BC left Octavian as master of the entire Roman world. He would be given the title Augustus by the Senate in 27 BC, and this is the title he was known by from that point onward. It has been said of Augustus that he 'found Rome made of brick, and left it made of marble'. This piece was minted in honor of Julius Caesar, his political benefactor. Caesar was born in 100 BC, and was, of course, assassinated on the Ides of March, 44 BC. He began his political career as a young man, opposing the dictatorship of Sulla. He became a prominent figure in the Roman aristocracy, and was elected consul in 59 BC, after having formed the first triumvirate with Pompey and Crassus. He campaigned in Gaul almost continuously between 58 and 50 BC, and he would also lead an expedition to Britain in 55-54 BC. He defeated Pompey at Pharsalus in 48 BC, and would spend the next two years defeating the remnants of the Pompeian party. He returned to Rome the undisputed master of the Roman world, but would hold supreme power for only a brief period before his assassination. The obverse of this type depicts the bare head of Octavian facing right, with legend CAESAR before, and DIVI.F. behind. The reverse type features the laureate head of Julius Caesar facing right, with legends DIVOS before, and IVLIVS behind. This piece shows heavy wear and a lightly granular tan patina, and grades G, with major devices clearly visible, and the DIVI.F. of the obverse legend readable. Still a decent and very affordable example of this rare and highly sought after type, the only imperial sestertius available with a portrait of Julius Caesar. It is catalouged as Sear-465. Currently $99.00 Ends Apr-05-00
  9. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/imp/octavian/cohen_0003.4-o.jpg

  10. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/imp/octavian/cohen_0003.4-r.jpg OCTAVIAN & JULIUS CAESAR . c. 38 BC-. Bronze Sestertius (?), 27mm (14.52 gm). O: Head of Octavian, r.. R: Head of Julius Caesar, r.. cf. Craw 535/1.. Scarce, historical and VF. Currently $405. Ends Aug-03-01. Octavian & Divus Julius Caesar Æ Dupondius. Italian mint, 38 BC. DIVI F CAESAR, bare head of Octavian right / DIVOS IVLIVS, wreathed head of Julius Caesar right. Cr535/1, Syd 1335, RPC 620.
  11. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/imp/octavian/cohen_0003.5-o.jpg

  12. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/imp/octavian/cohen_0003.5-r.jpg Octavian & Divos Julius Caesar, Æ dupondius, (18.35g) c. 38 BC, Italian Mint, DIVI [F] CAESAR Bare head of Octavian right. / DIVOS [IVLIVS] Head of Julius Caesar right. RPC 620; C 535/1. VF, green patina. While this coin used to be called a sestertius, it probably circulated as a dupondius. Currently $325.00 Apr-16-01
  13. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/imp/octavian/cohen_0003.6.jpg 1071. OCTAVIAN & DIVUS JULIUS CAESAR. After 38 BC. Æ Dupondius (24.02 gm). Bare head of Octavian right / Wreathed head of Caesar right. Crawford 535/1; Sear CRI 308; Sydenham 1335; RPC I 620. VF, dark green patina, some smoothing and minor marks. ($500) CNG Mail bid sale #58, 18 Sept 2001, lot 1071. Octavian & Divus Julius Caesar Æ Dupondius. Italian mint, 38 BC. DIVI F CAESAR, bare head of Octavian right / DIVOS IVLIVS, wreathed head of Julius Caesar right. Cr535/1, Syd 1335, RPC 620.
  14. http://data.numismatics.org/cgi-bin/showobj?accnum=1944.100.6017 Department R Object Type C Material AE Manufacture ST Weight 26.96 Axis 11 Denomination Bronze Start Date -38 End Date 0 Reference C.535.1|S.1335 Person Octavian|CAESAR DIVI.F Dynasty Republic Mint Italy Issuer Octavian|CAESAR DIVI.F Series Crawford Obverse Legend CAESAR DIVI.F Obverse Type Octavian head r., bearded Reverse Legend DIVOS IVLIVS Reverse Type Caesar head r., wreathed
  15. http://www.maltergalleries.com/archives/auction02/09292002/lot0336.jpg 336. Octavian & Divus Julius Caesar. After 38 BC. AE-Sestertius. 29.18g. CAESAR DIVI F, bare head of Octavian rt. / DIVOS IVLIVS, wreathed head of Caesar rt. Craw 535/1; Syd. 1335. Fine, flan flaw. View Item   $200
  16. http://www.vcoins.com/ancient/realms/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=277&large=0 Octavian. 38 BC. AE - Sestertius. nr VF Octavian. 38 BC. 29 mm. AE - Sestertius (26.1 gms) CAESAR DIVI F, (or Dupondius?) Bare head of Octavian right. Bare head of Octavian right. / DIVOS IVLIVS, Laureate head of Divos Julius Caesar right. References: Crawford 535/1; Syd 1335; BMCRR Gaul 106; CRI 308 ($1200). nr VF. Inexpensive portrait of Julius Caesar! Southern Italian Mint. Unlike Antony's 'Fleet Coinage', these bronzes bear no indication as to their denomination. The community is mixed on the issue, some believe Sestertius, others Dupondius. With the normal issue being about 19-20 grams, I call this one a Sestertius. Price $ 510 € 390.57 £ 267.44 CHF 602.52 CAD$ 633.73 Rates for 4/21/2005
  17. http://www.vcoins.com/ancient/realms/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=281&large=0 Octavian. 38 BC. AE - dupondius. nr VF Octavian. 38 BC. 29 mm. AE - dupondius (11.4 gms) CAESAR DIVI F, (or Sestertius?) Bare head of Octavian right. Bare head of Octavian right. / DIVOS IVLIVS, Laureate head of Divos Julius Caesar right. References: Crawford 535/1; Syd 1335; BMCRR Gaul 106; CRI 308 ($1200). nr VF, Nice for this typically crude issue. Inexpensive portrait of Julius Caesar! Southern Italian Mint. Unlike Antony's 'Fleet Coinage', these bronzes bear no indication as to their denomination. The community is mixed on the issue, some believe Sestertius, others Dupondius. With the normal issue being about 19-20 grams, I call this one a Dupondius. Price $ 495 € 379.08 £ 259.57 CHF 584.80 CAD$ 615.09
  18. http://www.vcoins.com/ancient/vaughncoins/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=52&large=0 Julius Caesar and Octavian . 38 BC . AE Sestertius . Julius Caesar and Octavian . 38 BC . Bronze Sestertius . 31 mm . 18.0 gm. THE ONLY SESTERTIUS ISSUED WITH JULIUS CAESAR'S PORTRAIT Obv : CAESAR DIVI F ; Bare Head of Octavian, rt. Rev : DIVOS IVLIVS ; Wreathed Head of Julius Caesar , rt. Reference : Sear 1569 (RCV 2000) KHDDCJA Price $ 575 € 440.34 £ 301.52 CHF 679.32 CAD$ 714.50 Rates for 4/21/2005
  19. http://www.rudnik.com/rudnik/rudnik/rome/twelve1/htmls/R2578.html TYPE Roman Imperatorial, Octavian (42 - 27 BC), bronze sestertius (dupondius?), struck 38 BC honoring Julius Caesar, 19.93g DESCRIPTION . Obv: Bare head of Octavian to right, legend: CAESAR DIVI F Rev: Laureate head of deified Julius Caesar, legend: DIVOS IVLIVS REFERENCE: SR 465, Syd 1335, Cr 535/1 GRADING: VG / VG+, brown-red patina w/ some green tones, couple of pits, scarce ORDER INFO: R2578, $125 A budget specimen of this prized issue, featuring the first and foremost two of the Twelve Caesars. Still, nice patina complements the typically (for this issue) low-relief, yet discernible finely styled portraits; this is all the more valuable, since portraiture of this era is usually in the "patrician" school and thus generally not aesthetically very pleasing, and later Augustan depictions are mostly of an idealized "Neo-Attic" style. While the present renditions do display some of this idealization (and understandably so, given the deification of the father - and appropriate hints for the adopted son - that they here advertise), there is nevertheless a note of an expressive realism, and - at least in the case of the merely 25-yeear old Octavian - a rather atypical for him sense of an authentic, lifelike depiction. 
Le caratteristiche fisiche della moneta sono compatibili con i conî d'epoca; in considerazione del peso si direbbe che essa più prossima ad un dupondio che ad un sesterzio. Dall'aspetto generale si direbbe autentica. La moneta si presenta inoltre piuttosto consunta, la leggenda è in larga parte abrasa (come evidenziano le numerose lettere di colore rosso nella descrizione ad inizio pagina), il dritto non è perfettamente centrato, elementi questi tutti negativi ai fini della valutazione. Per aiutare la lettrice, che me ne ha fatto richiesta, a farsi un'idea del valore venale proprio della sua moneta (valutazione, per altro, che non rientra nelle finalità della mia rubrica), ho sopra riportato un certo numero di siti nei quali la moneta è presente e, accanto ai link, ho indicato, ove possibile, anche i valori venali.

Un saluto cordiale.
Giulio De Florio
www.monetaromana.it
 

---------
Note:

(1) Estraggo dal data base dell'ANS (http://www.amnumsoc.org/search/) le caratteristiche fisiche della moneta di figura:

Peso 
(grammi)
Diametro 
(mm)
Asse conio 
(ore)
19.29 32 6
19.47 - 11
15.55 - 2
14.97 - 11
13.22  - 8
22.69 - 6
20.60 - 6
16.96 - 6
26.96 - 11
18.38 -
05.51 27
14.57 29.5
18.34 - 10
19.49 36 11
09.14 29 6
05.90 17.5 3
14.00  29 6
Si osserverà come il peso della moneta sia molto irregolare, talché verrebbe da classificarla come sesterzio se il peso supera i 16 grammi e dupondio se il peso è più basso. Da quanto mi risulta la questione è controversa e quindi arbitraria l'associazione all'uno o all'altro dei due nominali.
(2) Le lettere in rosso della leggenda sono quelle abrase. Si ricorderà che alla nascita Augusto aveva  il nome di Caius Octavius Thurinus. Dopo l'adozione (per testamento) da parte di Giulio Cesare, ne assunse il nome, diventando Caius Julius Caesar Octavianus (l'ultimo nome sta ad indicare l'appartenenza alla "gens" Ottavia). Dopo la morte, Giulio Cesare fu divinizzato, sicché Ottaviano nella titolatura delle monete si presenta come Cesare, figlio del dio ("CAESAR DIVI Filius"). Allorché il Senato di Roma, nel 29 a.C., conferì ad Ottaviano il titolo di "Imperator perpetuus" (ove "imperator" non ha il significato odierno di "imperatore", piuttosto quello di comandante militare), Ottaviano rinunciò al praenomen Caius per assumere quello di Imperator che dava subito l'idea di un potere autocratico. Successivamente, nel 27 a.C., il Senato gli conferì anche il titolo di Augusto (che più propriamente si avvicina a ciò che oggi chiamiamo "imperatore", monarca a capo di un impero) e con questo nome è passato alla storia.
(3) Sull'uso di "DIVOS" al posto di "DIVVS" riporto una nota di John Isles sul forum "Moneta-L" di Yahoo:
It's an archaizing use. "DIVOS instead of DIVVS - This substitution, made for no other known reason than that the letters V and O were in the earlier ages of Rome frequently used the one for the other, is exemplified on marbles and on coins - ex. gr. IVLIOS, AEGYPTOS, VOLTEIA, VOLCANO, CONSOLES, HERCOLI for Julius, Aegyptus, Vulteia, Vulcano, Consules, Herculi" -- Stevenson's Dictionary of Roman Coins. DIVVS derives from earlier deivos, according to the Oxford Latin Dictionary.
(4) Giulio Cesare fu assassinato nelle Idi di Marzo del 44 a. C.; due anni dopo la sua morte il Senato approvò il decreto della sua deificazione. La figura di Giulio Cesare era assai cara all'esercito e alla plebe e Ottaviano vantò l'eredità testamentaria e la discendenza dal defunto (di cui, tra l'altro, era pronipote) e le utilizzò come mezzo di delegittimazione politica del suo avversario, Antonio. La moneta di figura, che associa l'immagine di Ottaviano sul dritto a quella di Giulio Cesare sul rovescio, è un esempio significativo della propaganda di Ottaviano.
Indice  Dietro Avanti

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  1