As - Augustus L BAEB PRISCO II VIR C GRAN BROC

Historical Context: This bronze As was issued by the Roman colony of Calagurris (modern Calahorra, Spain) during the reign of Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD). This era marked the consolidation of the Roman Empire and the Pax Romana. Such provincial issues served essential local economic functions, propagating imperial iconography and affirming Roman authority in newly integrated territories. The coin bears the names of the local magistrates, L. Baebius Priscus and C. Granius Brocchus, the duoviri responsible for its production, highlighting the interplay between imperial power and local civic administration.

Artistry: The design reflects the pervasive influence of Augustan imperial iconography, adapted by local engravers in Calagurris. While specific engravers are unknown, the style aligns with Roman provincial coinage, characterized by a recognizable, if sometimes less refined, portraiture of Augustus. The obverse typically features a laureate head of the emperor, projecting his divine and military authority. The reverse, often displaying the names of the duoviri, would have conveyed local civic pride and loyalty, likely alongside an imperial or local emblem, reinforcing the colony's status within the Augustan order.

Technical/Grading: Struck on a substantial bronze flan, typical for an Augustan As at 11.3 grams and 29 millimeters, this coin often exhibits characteristics common to provincial issues. High points on the obverse portrait would include the brow, nose, and the individual leaves of the laurel wreath. Strike quality can vary, with examples sometimes showing minor off-centring or areas of weaker impression, particularly on