Dupondius - Augustus CA

The attribution RIC I 502 places this dupondius among a group of aes coinage struck under Augustus during the period when the reorganization of the Roman mint system was still unsettled — the emperor had not yet consolidated bronze production under the Senatorial authority that would later stamp SC on virtually all aes issues. The absence of that mark on Augustan bronzes predating roughly 23 BC has generated long debate about whether these pieces reflect direct imperial control or an intermediate administrative arrangement.

Genuine examples are frequently fouled by ancient casting imitations, a problem endemic to this series.