Augustus. 27 BC-AD 14. Æ Dupondius (33mm, 20.33 g, 12h). “Triumphal Coinage” issue. Rome mint; M. Salvius Otho, moneyer. Struck 7 BC. VF/Good VF.

CNG Feature Auction 132
Lot: 9.
Closing Date: May 19 2026 11:00 ET

The PLZ Collection, Bronze

Estimate: $ 6 000

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Augustus. 27 BC-AD 14. Æ Dupondius (33mm, 20.33 g, 12h). “Triumphal Coinage” issue. Rome mint; M. Salvius Otho, moneyer. Struck 7 BC. CAESAR AVGVST PONT MAX TRI BVNIC POT, laureate head of Augustus left; behind, Victory, draped, touching fillet of laurel wreath with right hand and holding cornucopia in left / M • SALVIVS • OTHO • III • VIR • A • A • A • F • F • around large S • C. RIC I 429; BMCRE 224-5 = BMCRR Rome 4689-90; BN 685-6. Brown-green patina, some deposits on obverse. VF/Good VF. Rare.

From the PLZ Collection. Ex Gasvoda Collection (Part II, Numismatica Ars Classica 94, 6 October 2016), lot 76; Antiqua FPL XIII (2006), no. 132.

The “triumvir monetales” were the elected moneyers of Rome. More specifically, they were the tresviri aere argenton auro flando feriundo (“three men for the striking of bronze, silver and gold”). The title would be abbreviated “III VIR AAAFF” as seen on the offered example minted by M. Salvius Otho, one of three moneyers elected for this year. These officials would be responsible for the oversight of Roman coinage. This relatively minor position was considered a first stepping stone to a political career. In republican times, the moneyer’s name was almost always present on the coinage. This would change under Augustus, although the moneyers retained a titled role for a brief time before disappearing altogether from Imperial coinage.

The type offered here is somewhat challenging to define. The issue is very rare and has been extensively counterfeited in recent times. Struck in 7 BC, it is likely this type refers to a triumph held for Tiberius for his various military campaigns. It is notable that it is Augustus who is receiving the crown from Victory on the obverse. This is likely because, at the time, Augustus was still hoping to name his grandsons, Caius and Lucius, as his heirs. There was no need to glorify Tiberius with his grandsons soon to come of age.

The challenge with defining this type is that the known survivors are found with a widely variable weight, which makes identifying a denomination uncertain. Mattingly refers to these pieces as “triumphal coinage” rather than give them a denomination such as As or Dupondius. The offered coin is outstanding for the type.

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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