Cistophorus - Augustus AVGVSTVS

The cistophoric standard was a deliberate political choice here. Rather than issuing denarii, Augustus maintained the old Attalid tetradrachm format across the newly reorganized province of Asia — a concession to regional monetary tradition that also sidestepped direct comparison with Roman silver of inferior purity. These were struck at Pergamon, the former Attalid capital, almost certainly in 27 BC when Augustus was in the east reorganizing provincial administration following Actium.

RIC 491 is one of the earliest datable issues under the new Augustan name, adopted by senate decree in January 27 BC — meaning the coin's inscription is essentially contemporary with the title itself.