minted in Spain
This silver coin was minted in Spain by the emperor Augustus around 19 BC. It is a type called a denarius, the most common Roman silver coin. This picture shows the obverse of the coin.
The obverse has the bare head of Augustus facing to the right. The coin is struck off centre, so only part of the legend '[CAESAR] AVGVSTVS', identifying Augustus and his family name (and also title) of Caesar, survives on this example.
The designs on coins of the Roman Republic were chosen by individual moneyers, who often commemorated their own families. Coins of the Empire, however, focussed on the emperor and his family. Almost all gold and silver coins feature the head of the emperor or his family on the obverse.
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