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Augustus
Aureus, 15-13 v. Chr. in Lugdunum.
Vs.: AVGVSTVS DIVI F, Augustus Kopf nach rechts.
Rs.: IMP X (im Abschnitt), Stier nach rechts stossend.
RIC² 166a (R2); BMC 450
Bild von: Numismatica Ars Classica

 Romanatic-ID: 216

Kommentare
Simon Wieland
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19:23:37, 08.02.2009
Note by Classical Numismatic Group:
Prideaux notes that along with Apollo and Diana, the butting bull is one of the most common reverse designs on the Lugdunum imperial (military) coinage. It has been tentatively linked to the herds of southern Gaul, to the Rhodanum (mod. Rhône), and even as a symbol of the god Mars(?), but these ideas have no substantial foundation. Any unusual reference, or difficult interpretation, would have been solved by engraving some explicit detail or short legend. The butting bull was necessarily some obvious symbol. Prideaux notes that the bull on RIC 475, with its head erect, was the emblem of Caesar’s legions, so with little risk of error we can say the butting bull must have been the emblem of Augustus’ legions, inspired by his adoptive father’s. The imperator’s legionary emblem was known and famous to all soldiers as well as the empire’s inhabitants. It didn’t need a legend to be read and understood, and it fits well with the Apollo and Diana types making a coherent group.