The Triumvirs. Octavian. Autumn 30-summer 29 BC. AR Denarius (21mm, 3.84 g, 3h). Uncertain mint in Italy (Rome?). Superb EF.

CNG Feature Auction 132
Lot: 7.
Closing Date: May 19 2026 11:00 ET

The PLZ Collection, Silver

Estimate: $ 6 000

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The Triumvirs. Octavian. Autumn 30-summer 29 BC. AR Denarius (21mm, 3.84 g, 3h). Uncertain mint in Italy (Rome?). Bare head right / Naval and military trophy facing, composed of helmet, cuirass, shield, and crossed spears, set on prow of galley right; crossed rudder and anchor at base; IMP CAESAR across field. CRI 419; RIC I 265a; RSC 119; BMCRR Rome 4352 = BMCRE 625; BN 57-63. Attractive cabinet tone. Superb EF.

From the PLZ Collection. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 51 (5 March 2009), lot 137; Rauch 57 (11 April 1996), lot 122; Münzen und Medaillen AG 81 (18 September 1995), lot 154; Schweizerischer Bankverein 33 (20 September 1993), lot 616; Bourgey (4 June 1991), lot 213.

The inevitable confrontation between Octavian and Mark Antony finally occurred at the Battle of Actium, off the western coast of Greece in the Ionian Sea, in 31 BC. The naval battle involved an immense number of ships, reportedly 500 for Antony and Cleopatra and 400 for Octavian. The smaller and more maneuverable ships of Octavian, led by his friend and most important military advisor, Marcus Agrippa, easily handled the more sluggish ships of Antony. The battle soon turned into a rout and Antony and Cleopatra were forced to flee to Egypt. Octavian pursued them to Alexandria the following year and they committed suicide to avoid capture. Octavian was left as the sole surviving leader of the Roman Empire.

Several interesting reverse types were minted by Octavian shortly after Actium. The rostral column reverse replicated an actual structure he had erected at the battle site. Like that issue, it is quite likely the trophy reverse, as shown on the present example, also imitated a trophy erected at the battlefield. Of particular note, here the trophy rests atop the prow of a ship and includes rudder and anchor, all indicative of the naval victory. This anepigraphic obverse is one of the finer types to portray a lifelike image of Octavian, still a young man in his early thirties with decades of world rule ahead of him. A beautiful coin.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 132 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 18-19 May 2026.

CNG Feature Auction 132 – Session One – Lot 1-318 will be held Monday morning, 18 May 2026 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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