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Dupondius - Octavian Imitation
| Issuer | |
|---|---|
| Year | 38 BC |
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| Composition | Leaded bronze |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
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| Reverse description | Laureate head of the deified Julius Caesar facing right, the wreath rendered with bold but somewhat rough engraving characteristic of a contemporary imitation. The neck truncation is visible at the lower field. The surrounding Latin legend DIVOS IVLIVS is irregularly distributed around the periphery, with letter spacing and forms reflecting unofficial manufacture. The overall style is a competent but imprecise copy of the official Triumviral coinage associating Octavian with his deified adoptive father. |
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| Additional information |
This piece belongs to a class of locally produced imitations circulating in the western provinces during the late Republic, when official bronze coinage from Rome was chronically undersupplied and regional authorities — or simply enterprising individuals — filled the gap. Octavian's name and imagery carried enough political currency by 38 BC to make them useful on an imitative coin, particularly in Spain and southern Gaul where Roman commercial activity demanded small-denomination bronze that the central mints were not producing in sufficient volume.