Sale: CNG 72, Lot: 1362. Estimate $6000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 14 June 2006.  Sold For $10000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Augustus. 27 BC-AD 14. AV Aureus (7.87 g, 6h). Lugdunum (Lyon) mint. Struck 8 BC. Laureate head right / Augustus on right seated left on low platform, holding out hand to child thrust forward by barbarian; IMP•XIIII in exergue. RIC I 200; Calicó 235. Good VF. Rare.

As with many of the aurei of Augustus’ reign, this particular type celebrates a successful military operation. In 8 BC, while Augustus was in residence at Lugdunum, the Romans conducted a campaign against the German tribes along the Rhine. According to Dio (lv. 6), following these campaigns the subjugated tribes offered their young as hostages to Augustus in Lugdunum. This event was commemorated in this issue that was comprised of both aurei and denarii.