COINS · TIMELINE · REFERENCES
COIN LEGEND BREAKDOWN
AUGUSTUS
DENARIUS · 2 BC – 4 AD · LUGDUNUM
Weight
3.87g
Metal
SILVER
RIC
210
BM
540
Reign
27 BC – 14 AD
O B V E R S E
CAESAR · AVGVSTVS · DIVI · F · PATER · PATRIAE Obverse: Laureate head of Augustus right
CAESAR AVGVSTVS
DIVI F PATER PATRIAE
"CAESAR AUGUSTUS, SON OF THE DIVINE, FATHER OF THE FATHERLAND"
R E V E R S E
AVGVSTI · F · COS · DESIG · PRINC · IVVENT · C · L · CAESARES Reverse: Gaius and Lucius Caesar standing
C L CAESARES
AVGVSTI F COS DESIG PRINC IVVENT
"GAIUS AND LUCIUS CAESARS, SONS OF AUGUSTUS, DESIGNATED CONSULS, PRINCES OF THE YOUTH"

Obverse Legend

CAESARCaesar — Imperial dynastic name, inherited from Julius Caesar
AVGVSTVSAugustus — "The Revered One," supreme imperial title granted by the Senate in 27 BC
DIVI FDivi Filius — "Son of the Divine," referring to his adoptive father Julius Caesar, who was deified after assassination
PATER PATRIAEPater Patriae — "Father of the Fatherland," an honour bestowed by the Senate in 2 BC

Obverse Image

Laureate head of Augustus facing right. The laurel wreath symbolises his role as supreme leader and triumphant general.

Reverse Legend

C L CAESARESCaius et Lucius Caesares — Gaius and Lucius Caesar, Augustus's grandsons and adopted heirs
AVGVSTI FAugusti Filii — "Sons of Augustus"
COS DESIGConsules Designati — "Designated Consuls"
PRINC IVVENTPrincipes Iuventutis — "Princes of the Youth," an honorary military title for imperial heirs

Reverse Image

Gaius and Lucius Caesar standing facing, each wearing a toga and resting a hand on a shield with a spear behind. Between them, a simpulum (ladle) and lituus (augur's wand) — priestly implements symbolising their religious offices. Both heirs died young: Lucius in 2 AD and Gaius in 4 AD, yet coins bearing their image continued to be struck for years after.