Sale: Nomos 1, Lot: 139. Estimate CHF4500.  Closing Date: Tuesday, 5 May 2009.  Sold For CHF5000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Augustus. 27 BC-AD 14. Cistophorus (Silver, 11.90 g 12), Pergamum, 19-18. IMP IX TR PO V Head of Augustus to right Rev. COM ASIAE Hexastyle temple with architrave inscribed ROM ET AVGVST. BMC 705. Cohen 86. RIC 506. RPC 2217. Sutherland -, Group VII, obverse die 12/ reverse unpublished. A new die combination. Attractively toned. Good very fine.

From the collection of a Gentleman.

The Greeks of Asia had long been accustomed to dedicating sacred precincts to their rulers or to other notables, a practice the Romans found unacceptable in the case of living people. Yet the people of Asia had petitioned Augustus to allow them to consecrate a temple in his honor and he ultimately acceded to their request, requiring it to be built in Pergamon, which had been the capital of the old Hellenistic kingdom. The building was jointly dedicated to Roma and Augustus; it was already under construction by 27 BC and we can assume that it was complete by 19 BC when this coin was minted. The reverse gives us an accurate view of what the temple looked like, later representations reduce the number of columns to enable the statues of Roma and Augustus that were inside to be seen as well.