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Denarius - Augustus OB CIVIS SERVATOS
| Issuer | Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
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| Year | 19 BC - 18 BC |
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| Value | 1 Denarius |
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| Obverse description | Bare head of Augustus facing right, rendered in fine classical style with naturalistic portraiture and neatly arranged short hair. The effigy presents a strong profile with sharply defined facial features characteristic of Augustan court art. The encircling legend is divided on either side of the bust, reading CAESAR to the left and AVGVSTVS to the right. The portrait occupies the majority of the flan, with the truncation of the neck visible at the lower field. The overall style reflects the idealized yet individualized portraiture associated with the early Imperial period. |
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| Obverse lettering | CAESAR AVGVSTVS (Translation: Caesar Augustus.) |
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| Additional information |
The oak wreath legend on this issue commemorates the corona civica — the crown of oak leaves awarded to Augustus by the Senate in 27 BC for saving Roman citizens' lives, a gesture of calculated political theater that transformed a military autocrat into a constitutional protector. The award had traditionally gone to soldiers who saved a comrade in battle; applying it to the ruler of the state was an innovation without precedent.
RIC I #40A dates to the Spanish mint phase, likely Colonia Patricia, during Augustus's extended western campaign presence from 19–18 BC.