Champion of Liberty of the Roman People

Sale: Triton XI, Lot: 664. Estimate $1000.  Closing Date: Monday, 7 January 2008.  Sold For $1200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Octavian. 28 BC. AR Cistophorus (11.87 g, 1h). Ephesus mint. IMP • CAESAR • DIVI • F • COS • VI • LIBERTATIS • P • R • VINDEX •, laureate head right / PAX in left field, Pax, draped, standing left, holding caduceus in right field; behind her, in right field, a snake emerging from cista mystica; all within laurel wreath. RIC I 476; Sutherland Group I, 18 (O11/R18); CRI 433; RSC 218; RPC I 2203; BMCRE 691-3 = BMCRR East 248-9; BN 908-10. Good VF, toned, a few marks under tone.

This was the first cistophorus minted in Asia in more than a decade and marked the beginning of a huge output of cistophori during the subsequent decade. Here, for the first time, Octavian is depicted as laureate, referring to Apollo and symbolizing his divinity. The obverse legend means “Champion of the Liberty of the Roman People.” The figure of Pax on the reverse tells of the peace which will surely result from Octavian’s triumph over Rome’s enemies.

The significance of Apollo is emphasized by two changes in design from previous cistophori. The cista mystica, or snake basket, a common symbol in the cult of Dionysus that was prominently featured on the obverse of previous cistophori, is drastically reduced in size, and thus, less significant. Similarly, the reverse is no longer encircled by the Dionysiac garland of ivy, but by Apollo’s laurel wreath.