Denarius - Augustus VOT P SVSC PRO SAL ET RED I O M SACR, Mars

This denarius belongs to the coinage struck to commemorate Augustus's return from the East in 19 BC, during which he recovered the legionary standards lost by Crassus at Carrhae in 53 BC and by Antony in subsequent Parthian campaigns — a diplomatic coup the regime promoted as a military triumph. The vow types of 18–17 BC were directly tied to the vota pro salute et reditu, prayers offered for the emperor's safety and return, formalized through senatorial decree.

RIC I 146 is among the more precisely datable issues of the Augustan series, anchored to a narrow political window before the secular games of 17 BC reshaped the mint's output entirely.