Denarius - Augustus CAESARI AVGVSTO

This issue belongs to a critical moment in Augustan monetary reform. In 23 BC, Augustus had transferred his coinage authority to a new framework, and by 18 BC production of precious metal coinage was concentrated almost exclusively at the Lugdunum mint — a deliberate policy shift away from Rome, placing the emperor's name directly on silver in a way that left no ambiguity about who controlled the money supply. RIC I 96 is among the issues attributable to this Lugdunum reorganization, struck as Augustus consolidated tribunician power following the constitutional settlements of 27 and 23 BC.