The moneyers issues under Augustus

CGJ Pannekeet – Slootdorp 2013 The moneyers issues under Augustus Most handbooks used by collectors of Roman coins give little or no information about the so called moneyers issues in the reign of the emperor Augustus1

. The only handbook that gives some detailed information is RIC volume I but this book is out of reach for most collectors. A general web search to find more information also gives very little information. After searching deeper some very interesting information did turn up. Some of that information is however only available for members of organizations as on the Wiley Online Library or after paying for it trough sites like jstor. In this article I put together the information that was freely available on the internet in the hope to provide a basis for those collectors who want to know more about these issues and the moneyers who made them.

The college of the tresviri monetalis Hillebrand (2006) wrote a dissertation on the vigintiviri. This dissertation contains a lot of interesting information about the college of the tresviri monetalis and its place within the so called vigintiviri, the colleges of 20 men. The vigintiviri consisted of four colleges, the IIIviri monetales, Xviri stlitibus iudicandis, IVviri viarum curandarum and IIIviri capitalis. It was the start of the cursus honorum for young men who wanted to pursue a political career. On entering the vigintiviri their age lay somewhere between 17 and 25 and they stayed in office for one year. The IIIviri monetales were responsible for the minting of coins, the Xviri stlitibus iudicandis for jurisdictional matters, the task of the IVviri viarum curandarum was keeping the streets of Rome clean and the IIIviri capitalis were in control of the state prisons and the death penalties. The full title of the moneyers was the tresviri aere argento auro flando feriundo because they were responsible for the coinage of copper/bronze, silver and gold coins. Inside the vigintiviri they were the most prestigious college and reached higher offices during their political careers. The list of moneyers colleges as given in RIC volume I is not without controversy. Klein et al (2000) describe the two main schools of thought on the sequence and dating of the moneyers issues. The first school is that of Mattingly and his followers who suggested that the moneyers issues began in 23 BC with the college of Cn. Piso, L. Naevius Surdinus and C. Plotius Rufus. The second school is that of Kraft (1951) who suggested that the issues began in 19 BC with the college of P. Petronius Turpilianus, L. Aquillius Florus, M. Durmius and Q. Rustius. His view was adopted by Sutherland in RIC volume I. Klein et al (2000) analysed 80 Augustan copper coins, 65 of them moneyers issues. They wanted to make a chemical profile of the copper coins and use the analyses to answer numismatic questions. In their article they adopted the view as presented in RIC volume I solely out of convention. There were 14 colleges with a total of 44 moneyers. The analyses of Klein et al support the data of Carter/Frurip (1985) and Carter (1995/96) that some changes can be made in the sequence of moneyers as suggested in RIC volume I. The analyses show that a relative chronology can be observed in chemical composition towards purer metal. Later analyses by Klein et al (2004) of the lead-copper isotopes showed that during the Augustan period the main copper supply was from Sardinia and the south-east of Spain, with minor contributions from Tuscany. The following list of moneyers is taken from RIC volume I but with the changes made as suggested by Carter and supported by the data of Klein et al.

1 Popular and affordable handbooks are those by David Sear, Ralf Kankelfitz and Ursula Kampman. Sometimes even the work of Henry Cohen is still used because it is free of copyright thanks to its publishing date.

College 1 – 19 BC This college struck gold aurei and silver denarii. The college can be dated to 19 BC because of its emphasis on Parthian concessions and coins of Q. Rustius with the emphasis on Augustus return from the east.2

P(ublius) Petronius Turpilianus was probably a new (self made) man (homo novus) and came from Samnium. He was probably praetor in 8/7 BC and proconsul Baeticae in 6/5 BC. His father may have been Sex. Petronius Turpilius who was praefectus Aegypti from 25-20 BC.

IIIvir monetalis 19 BC Career:

Praetor? 8/7 BC or earlier. Proconsul Baeticae? 6/5? BC Denarius from the Rome mint. Obv. draped bust of the goddess Feronia to the right, text: TVRPILIANVS III VIR and FER ON(ia) below the bust. Rev. kneeling Parthian extending in his right hand a standard to which a vexillum is attached, text: CAESAR AVGVSTVS SIGN RECE. This coin type commemorates the recovery in 20 BC of the Roman standards, lost by Crassus at the battle of Carrhae in 54 BC, from the Parthians. L(ucius) Aquillius Florus came from an old republican family of consuls.


Praetor before 3 BC Denarius from the Rome mint. Obv. draped bust of Virtus to the right, text:L AQVILLIVS FLORVS III VIR. Rev. Augustus driving a biga of elephants, holding a laurel branch over the backs of the elephants, text: AVGVSTVS CAESAR. The obverse of this coin is taken from the issues of the moneyer’s ancestor, Mn.Aquillius who struck coins in BC 71 (Crawford 401). The reverse type, also used by the moneyer’s two colleagues M. Durmius and P. Petronius Turpilianus, probably refers to the triumph over the Armenians.3

2 RIC volume 1. 3 Classical Numismatic Group.

M(arcus) Durmius came from Tusculum or Campania (Velitrae) and was a new (self made) man (homo novus).


Aedilis Tusculanus? Denarius from the Rome mint. Obv. bust of the young Hercules to the right, draped in a lion skin and club over his shoulder, text: M DVRMIVS III VIR. Rev. kneeling Parthian extending in his right hand a standard to which a vexillum is attached, text: CAESAR AVGVSTVS SIGN RECE. This coin type commemorates the recovery of the Roman standards, lost by Crassus at the battle of Carrhae in 54 BC, from the Parthians. Q. Rustius was the first senator that can be attested from his family and came from Antium. He was probably moneyer by order of the senate and probably related to the moneyer L. Rustius who struck coins in 76 or 74 BC.


Duovir in Antium? Denarius from the Rome mint. Obv. busts of Fortuna Victrix and Fortuna Felix from Antium above a platform with ram's head corners, text: Q RVSTIVS FORTVNÆ ANTIAT. Rev. ornate altar inscribed with FOR(tuna) RE(dux), text: CAESARI AVGVSTO and EX SC in the exergue. The references to Fortuna celebrate Augustus' safe return from a trip to the east in 19 BC. For this occasion the senate erected an altar at Porto Capena. In his ‘res gestae’ Augustus himself wrote the following about this occasion: out of gratitude for my safe return the senate erected an altar at porta Capena in front of the temple of honour and virtue dedicated to fortuna redux. The priests and vestal virgins were ordered to bring an offering on the day of my safe return to Rome from Syria during the consulate of Quintus Lucretius and Marcus Vinicius (19 BC). The senate named this day the ‘Augustalia’ after my honorary name.

College 2 – 18 BC This college was the first to strike brass sestertii and brass dupondii but no copper asses. Both coins had their own design to keep them apart. The sestertius was struck with the text OB CIVIS SERVATOS with the word CIVIS within a wreath and two branches beside the wreath. The dupondius had the text AVGVSTVS TRIBVNIC(ia) POTEST(as) entirely within a wreath. Q. Aelius Lamia came from Formiae in Latium et Campania. His family had produced senators since 45 BC. He might have been a friend of the poet Horatio. Nothing is known about his career after the vigintivirat.


Dupondius from the Rome mint. Obv. AVGVSTVS / TRIBVNIC / POTEST in an oak wreath. Rev. Large SC surrounded by the text Q. AELIVS. LAMIA. III. VIR. A.A.A.F.F. C(aius) Marcius Censorinus belonged to the Roman nobiles and was the son of Lucius Marcius Censorinus, the consul of 39 BC. He was legatus Caesaris provincia Asiae minoris in 13/12 BC and was consul suffectus in the year 8 BC together with Gaius Asinius Gallus Saloninus who also had been a tresviri. His election was clouded by accusations of electoral bribery but Augustus refused to intervene. In 3 BC he became proconsul of Asiae where he probably died also in 2 AD. He was honoured in Asia by the erection of a statue and games were organised in his honour called the Censorineia.


Augur Legatus Caesaris provincia Asiae minoris 13/12 BC Consul suffectus 8 BC Proconsul Asiae ca. 3 BC - 2 AD Sestertius from the Rome mint. Obv. OB CIVIS SERVATOS in an oak wreath encircled by two laurel branches. Rev. Large SC surrounded by the text C. MARCI. L. F. CENSORIN. AVG. III VIR A.A.A.F.F. The oak leaf was a reward for soldiers who had saved the life’s of citizens in war. Augustus earned one also because of saving the citizens of Rome, ‘OB CIVIS SERVATOS’.

(Titus) Quinctius Crispinus Sulpicianus was from Rome and belonged to a patrician family. He became consul ordinaris in 9 BC, his fellow consul was Nero Claudius Drusus, the stepson of Augustus. Velleius Paterculus was very negative about him calling him useless and defiant. His career ended in 2 BC when he was exiled or executed because he was probably involved in the adultery scandal around Augustus daughter Iulia.


Consul ordinaris 9 BC Exiled in 2 BC Sestertius from the Rome mint. Obv. OB CIVIS SERVATOS in an oak wreath encircled by two laurel branches. Rev. Large SC surrounded by the text QVINCTIVS CRISPIN SVLPIC. III VIR A A A F F. The oak leaf was a reward for soldiers who had saved the life’s of citizens in war. Augustus earned one also because of saving the citizens of Rome, ‘OB CIVIS SERVATOS’.

College 3 – 17 BC This college struck gold aurei, silver denarii, brass sestertii and brass dupondii. The college can be dated to 17 BC because of its references to the ludi Saeculares.4

M. Sanquinius came from Caere (Etruria) and was a new (self made) man (homo novus).


Consul under Tiberius? Denarius from the Rome mint. Obv. Head of Augustus to the right, text: AVGVSTVS DIVI F. Rev. Head of the deified Julius Caesar to the right, a comet above his head, text: M. SANQVI - NIVS. III. VIR. P. Licinius Stolo came from a family of senators who had sided with Octavian during the civil wars. Because of his families support he was probably admitted into the vigintivirat as moneyer. Nothing is known about his career after the vigintivirat.


Sestertius from the Rome mint. Obv. OB CIVIS SERVATOS in an oak wreath encircled by two laurel branches. Rev. Large SC surrounded by the text P LICINIVS STOLO III VIR A A A F F. The oak leaf was a reward for soldiers who had saved the life’s of citizens in war. Augustus earned one also because of saving the citizens of Rome, ‘OB CIVIS SERVATOS’.

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Ti. Sempronius Graccus was from the family of the Sempronii Gracci. It is said that he was a fine orator. In the year 1 AD his career ended when he was exiled to the island of Cercina together with his son C. Sempronius. He was probably exiled because he was involved in the scandal around Augustus daughter Iulia.


Sestertius from the Rome mint. Obv. OB CIVIS SERVATOS in an oak wreath encircled by two laurel branches. Rev. Large SC surrounded by the text TI SEMPRONIVS CRACCVS III VIR A A A F F. The oak leaf was a reward for soldiers who had saved the life’s of citizens in war. Augustus earned one also because of saving the citizens of Rome, ‘OB CIVIS SERVATOS’.

College 4 – 16 BC This college struck gold aurei and silver denarii. The college can be dated to 16 BC because of the numbers VII (17-16 BC) and VIII (16-15 BC) of the tribunicia potestas. It can be further dated because of its references to the secular games; monumental and epigraphic types in honour of Augustus and the Sibylline books.5

L. Mescinius Rufus was a new (self made) man (homo novus). Nothing is known about his family or his further career after the vigintivirat.


Denarius from the Rome mint. Obv. Head of Augustus to the right, text: AVGVSTVS TR - POT CAES. Rev. cippus inscribed with IMP / CAES / AVG / LVD / SAEC, left of the cippus XV and SF to the right, text: L MESCINIVS RVFVS III VIR. L. Vinicius came from Campania (Cales?). He was the son of Lucius Vinicius, the consul suffectus of 33 BC. Lucius became a Roman Senator and was appointed consul suffectus in 5 BC replacing the emperor Augustus. After that he disappears from the historical record. Suetonius reported that Augustus at one time was forced to intervene when Vinicius was seen paying too much attention on the emperor’s daughter, Julia, reportedly seeing her when she was staying at Baiae. Maybe his disappearing from history had something to do with the scandal around Julia.


Consul suffectus 5 BC Denarius from the Rome mint. Obv. Triumphal arch inscribed with SPQR / IMP / CAES, on top Augustus on horseback. Rev. cippus inscribed with SPQR / IMP CAE / QVOD V / MS EX / EA P Q IS / AD E DE, text: L VINICIVS - L F III VIR.

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C(aius) Antistius Vetus was the son of Gaius Antistius Vetus the elder, the consul suffectus of the year 30 BC. The family became inter patricios relatus in 29 BC under Augustus. He was consul ordinaris in 6 BC together with Decimus Laelius Balbus. He became proconsul of Asia somewhere before the year 14 AD. He died after the year 30 AD.


Pontifex Consul ordinaris 6 BC Proconsul Asiae before 14 AD Died after 30 AD Denarius from the Rome mint. Obv. Head of Augustus to the right, text: IMP CAESAR AVGVS - TVS TR. POT. VIII. Rev. text: C AN - TIST. VETVS FOEDVS PR QVM GABINIS.

College 5 – 15 BC This college struck brass sestertii, dupondii and was the first to strike copper asses. The copper as was recognizable in the coin series by the head of Augustus on the obverse of the coin. Klein et al (2000) analysed copper asses from this college and the next to see which college was probably the first. The overall trend is that the copper used at the Rome mint is getting purer over time. The fact that the asses from this college contains much higher amounts of impurities than the asses of the next college (6) makes it highly probable that this college of Gallus, Celer and Lupercus came before college 6. C(aius) Asinius Gallus Saloninus came from Samnium (Teate) and was the son of Gaius Asinius Pollio, a Roman senator and the consul of 40 BC. Asinius is described as someone who wanted to play the role of an important politician but was not fit for his duties. He became consul in 8 BC together with Caius Marcius Censorinus who also had been a tresviri. He became proconsul of Asia in 6/5 BC. He was a friend of the emperor Augustus but had a troublesome relation with Tiberius because in 11 BC he had married Vipsania Agrippina, the daughter of Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa and former wife of Tiberius. Asinius introduced measures to the senate trying to increase the power of Tiberius in order to shame the ruler. This embarrassed Tiberius publicly and the emperor had him arrested in 30 AD. Tiberius accused Asinius of committing adultery with Agrippina the Elder and had his name erased from all public monuments. Gaius died in 33 AD of starvation after three years in prison.


XVvir sacris faciundis XVvir in Tarraco? Quaestor Praetor designatus? Consul 8 BC Proconsul Asiae 6/5 BC Since 14 AD a troublesome relation with Tiberius Died 33 AD Sestertius from the Rome mint. Obv. OB CIVIS SERVATOS in an oak wreath encircled by two laurel branches. Rev. Large SC surrounded by the text C. ASINIVS C F GALLVS III VIR A A A F F. The oak leaf was a reward for soldiers who had saved the life’s of citizens in war. Augustus earned one also because of saving the citizens of Rome, ‘OB CIVIS SERVATOS’.

C. Cassius Celer probably came from Parma. Nothing is known about his family, background or further career after the vigintivirat.


Dupondius from the Rome mint. Obv. AVGVSTVS / TRIBVNIC / POTEST in an oak wreath. Rev. Large SC surrounded by the text C. CASSIVS CELER. III VIR. A.A.A.F.F. C. Gallius Lupercus came from a family who had produced senators probably since 73 BC. Nothing is known about his career after the vigintivirat.


Sestertius from the Rome mint. Obv. OB CIVIS SERVATOS in an oak wreath encircled by two laurel branches. Rev. Large SC surrounded by the text C. GALLIVS C F LVPERCVS III VIR A A A F F. The oak leaf was a reward for soldiers who had saved the life’s of citizens in war. Augustus earned one also because of saving the citizens of Rome, ‘OB CIVIS SERVATOS’.

College 6 – 14 BC This college struck brass sestertii, dupondii and was the second to strike copper asses. The level of impurities in the metal used for the copper asses are significantly lower than the impurities in the metal used for the asses of the previous college (5). The impurities found in the copper are silver, sulphur, arsenic, tin, iron, manganese, cobalt, nickel, lead and antimony. The copper asses of the moneyer Piso are the first to have detectable amounts of cobalt. This could mean that copper was beginning to be used from another source. Cn. (Calpurnius) Piso Cn. F came from an old senatorial and consular family. He was consul ordinaris in 7 BC together with Tiberius who was a friend of his. He was governor of Hispania and proconsul of Africa from 5 BC - 2 AD and governor of Syria from 17 - 19 AD. It is suggested that Tiberius secretly chose him to keep a close eye on Germanicus in Syria. They frequently clashed and Piso had to leave the provence in 19 AD. Germanicus died in the same year and Piso was accused of poisoning Germanicus. He was trailed for treason and committed suicide around 8 december 20 AD.


Legatus legionis 15? BC Consul ordinaris 7 BC Proconsul Africae 5 BC - 2 AD Pontifex after 2? AD Legatus Augusti pro praetore Hispaniae citerioris 9/10? AD Sodalis Augustalis from 14 AD Governor of Syria 17-19 AD Died 20 AD Dupondius from the Rome mint. Obv. AVGVSTVS / TRIBVNIC / POTEST in an oak wreath. Rev. Large SC surrounded by the text CN PISO. CN. F. III VIR. A.A.A.F.F.

L. Naevius Surdinus came from an unknown family. An inscription with his name (L. Naevius L. f. Surdinus pr(aetor)) is preserved in the pavement of the forum Romanum. Surdinus was a praetor inter cives et peregrinos, in charge of the jurisdiction between citizens and strangers. The inscription is a testimony that he had some thing to do with the restoration of the pavement, probably after the great fires of 14 and 9 BC.


Praetor peregrinos 9/10 BC Dupondius from the Rome mint. Obv. AVGVSTVS / TRIBVNIC / POTEST in an oak wreath. Rev. Large SC surrounded by the text L. SVRDINVS. III VIR. A.A.A.F.F. The coin has the countermark AVG. C. Plotius Rufus came from Auximum. His father was a senator and belonged to Octavians party. Nothing is known about his career after the vigintivirat.


As from the Rome mint. Obv. Head of Augustus to the right, text: CAESAR AVGVSTVS - TRIBVNIC POTEST. Rev. Large SC surrounded by the text C PLOTIVS. RVFVS. III VIR. A.A.A.F.F.

College 7 – 13 BC This college struck gold aurei and silver denarii. The college can be dated to 13 BC because of its allusion to joint eminence held by Augustus and Agrippa (their association in tribunicia potestas). The tribunicia potestas of both men was renewed for five years.6

C. Marius C. F. Tro(mentina) came from an unknown family. Nothing is known about his further career after the vigintivirat.


Denarius of the Rome mint. Obv. Head of Augustus to the right, at the back of the head a lituus curved augural staff, text: AVGVSTVS. Rev. Quadriga to the right, in the quadriga a palm branch, text: C. MARIVS. C.F TRO. III VIR. C. Sulpicius Platorinus came from an unknown family. Nothing is known about his further career after the vigintivirat. He probably died before entering into the senat.


Denarius of the Rome mint. Obv. Head of Augustus to the right, text: AVGVSTVS CAESAR. Rev. Head of Marcus Agrippa to the right, text: M. AGRIPPA PLATORINVS III VIR.

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C. Antistius Reginus came from Latium et Campania from a family that was relatively new in the senat. Nothing is known about his further career after the vigintivirat.


Denarius of the Rome mint. Obv. Head of Augustus to the right, text: AVGVSTVS CAESAR. Rev. Simpulum (small ladle with long handle), lituus (curved augural staff), ritual vessel on tripot and patera (libation bowl), text: C ANTISTIVS REGINVS III VIR.

College 8 – 12 BC This college struck gold aurei and silver denarii. Some of the coin types could refer to Augustus campaigns in Spain and Gaul in the year before. In his ‘res gestae’ Augustus wrote: during the consulate of Tiberius Nero and Publius Quintilius (Varus) (13 BC) I returned from successful campaigns in Spain and Gaul. In honour of this the senate decided to erect an altar dedicated to the piece of Augustus on the field of Mars. After 12 BC the Rome mint stopped producing gold and silver coins and also the minting of brass and copper coins came to a halt. The mint of Lugdunum continued to strike gold and silver coins and also produced some copper. It was not until 9 BC that minting started again in Rome but only small change in the form of copper asses and quadrantes. It is unknown why the mint stopped producing, it is probably a coincidence that Marcus Agrippa died in the same year. Cossus Cornelius Lentulus (Gaetulicus) came from patrician stock. He was consul in 1 BC together with Lucius Calpurnius Piso. He earned the ornamenta triumphalia and the name Gaetulicus in battle against the Gaetuli in the province of Africa where he was proconsul from 6 - 7 AD. As one of the few individuals trusted by the emperor Tiberius, he was sent to Pannonia in 14 AD to accompany Tiberius’s son Drusus in putting down a mutiny of the legions there. Later he was given the post of praefectus urbi, holding it for a number of years prior to his death in 25 AD. History describes him as respectful, modest and in favour of drinking alcohol.7


Consul ordinaris 1 BC Proconsul Africae 6 - 7 AD XVvir sacris faciundis Praefectus urbi Died 25? AD Denarius of the Rome mint. Obv. Head of Augustus to the right, text: AVGVSTVS COS XI. Rev. Head of Marcus Agrippa to the right with combined mural and rostral crown, text: M. AGRIPPA COS TER COSSVS LENTVLVS.

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L(ucius) Cornelius Lentulus came from patrician stock and was probably the son of Lucius Cornelius Lentulus Cruscellio and Sulpicia. He was consul in 3 BC together with Marcus Valerius Messala Messallinus. Around 4 AD he was appointed proconsular governor of Africa Proconsularis. During his time as governor, he was confronted by uprisings of the native tribes in the south of the province and beyond the borders. During an expedition into the Libyan desert against one of the tribes, the Nasamones, he was killed. He probably had some involvement in erecting the temple of Mars Ultor on the Forum Augustum. His wife came from the Scipio family.


Flamen Martialis Consul ordinaris 3 BC Proconsul Africae 4 or 5 AD Denarius of the Rome mint. Obv. Head of Augustus to the right, text: AVGVSTVS. Rev. Figure (Augustus?) leaning on shield and holding a star or comet like object above the head of another figure (Caesar?), text: L LENTVLVS FLAMEN MARTIALIS. L. Caninius Gallus came from a senatorial family. He was consul in the year 2 BC, first with Augustus and later with C. Fufius Geminus and Q. Fabricius. Under Tiberius he was president of the curatores riparum et alvei Tiberis. In 32 AD he was a senior senator and a member of the quindecemviri sacris faciundis, the priestly college responsible for the sibylline books. He used his influence to add a new sibylline book to the series trough a senatus consulto. The proposal was put forward in the senate by the tribunus plebis Sex. Nonius Quinctilianus, like Gallus a former moneyer (see college 14). Because of this he came into conflict with Tiberius and it probably affected his career. IIIvir monetalis 12 BC Consul suffectus 2 BC Proconsul Africae ca. 5/6 AD Curator alvei Tiberis et riparum et cloacarum urbis before 24 AD XVvir sacris faciundus 32 AD Frater Arvalis in 27, 35 and 36 AD Denarius of the Rome mint. Obv. Head of Augustus to the right, text: AVGVSTVS. Rev. Long haired kneeling barbarian (a Gaul?) presenting a vexillum, text: L CANINIVS – GALLVS III VIR.

College 9 (is RIC college 10) - 9 BC After 12 BC the Rome mint had stopped producing coins. In the year 9 BC minting started again in Rome but only small change in the form of copper asses and quadrantes. Significant for all four groups of quadrantes is the fact that the average silver:nickel ratio of 2.8 is much higher than the rate for the asses which is < 1. This led Klein et al (2000) to suggest that all quadrantes might belong to one large single compositional group. This was later confirmed by the analysis of lead and copper isotopes of the metal used for the Augustan quadrantes, The analyses also showed that the copper came solely from the Rio Tinto area in the south-west of Spain (Klein et al 2004). Appius Claudius Pulcher came from patrician stock. He was the son of the politician Appius Claudius Pulcher, an early supporter of Augustus and the consul of 38 BC. The career of Pulcher the moneyer is unknown but probably came to an end because of his close relation to Iulia, the daughter of Augustus. Because of the scandal around her various people were accused of adultery and exiled or put to death.


Quadrans of the Rome mint. Obv. Cornucopia between the letters S C, text: PVLCHER. TAVRVS REGVLVS. Rev. Altar, text: III VIR A A A F F. (Titus Statilius)Taurus was the son of Titus Statilius Taurus, general and twice consul during the Triumviral and Augustan periods. This Taurus was a homo novus (new man) from the region of Lucania. Taurus the moneyer was consul in 11 AD with Marcus Aemilius Lepidus.


Consul 11 AD Quadrans of the Rome mint. Obv. Clasped hands holding a caduceus, text: PVLCHER. TAVRVS. REGVLVS. Rev. Large letters S.C, text: III. VIR. A A A F F.

M. Livineius Regulus came from a senatorial family. He is probably identical with the praetor of that name of 2 BC. He defended Cn. Piso in 20 BC when many others had declined. Later he was expelled from the senate for reasons unknown. In 59 he was banished because of great disturbances between inhabitants of Nuceria and Pompeii during a gladiator show which he gave in Pompeii.8


Praetor? 2? BC Consul suffectus 18 AD Was implicated in the trial against Piso and died 20 AD Quadrans of the Rome mint. Obv. Simpulum and lituus, text: PVLCHER TAVRVS REGVLVS. Rev. Large letters S.C, text: III. VIR A. A. A. F. F.

8 Smith, Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, v. 3, page 644

College 10 (is RIC college 9) - 8 BC This college struck only copper quadrantes. (Lucius Aelius) Lamia was a new (self made) man (homo novus) probably from Formiae. It is said that he was a trustee of Tiberius. He was consul in 3 AD together with M. Servillius. After that he was Tiberius legate from 4-6 AD in Germany. He died in 33 AD.


Consul. ordinaris 3 BC Legatus of Tiberius in Germany 4 - 6 AD Commander in the army under Germanicus? 10/11 AD Legatus Augusti pro praetore in Pannoniae? 10 - 13 AD Proconsul Africae 15/16? AD Legatus in Syria after 21 AD Praefectus urbi 32 AD Died 33 AD Quadrans of the Rome mint. Obv. Cornucopia between the letters S C, text: LAMIA. SILIVS. ANNIVS. Rev. Altar, text: III. VIR. A. A. A. F. F. Silius was probably one of the sons of Publius Silius Nerva, a Roman politician and general who was consul in 20 BC. The son by the name of Publius Silius was consul suffectus for Lamia in 3 AD. Later he became Legatus legionis in Thraciae or Macedoniae or Proconsul Macedoniae. Silius Nerva also had an adopted son by the name of Gaius Silius Aulus Caecina Largus, a Roman general and politician who became consul in 13 AD together with Lucius Munatius Plancus. He was imperial legate of Germania Superior under Germanicus. In 21 AD he was stationed in Rome and as part of the faction of Germanicus the family had become friends of Agrippina the elder. This friendship led to Silius downfall when he became a victim of Sejanus' treason trials. Silius committed suicide in 24 AD, and his wife Galla was exiled.9


Quadrans of the Rome mint. Obv. Clasped hands holding a caduceus, text: LAMIA. SILIVS. ANNIVS. Rev. Large letters S.C, text: III. VIR A. A. A. F. F.

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Annius came from a senatorial family. Nothing is known about his further career after the vigintivirat.


Quadrans of the Rome mint. Obv. Simpulum and lituus, text: LAMIA. SILIVS. ANNIVS. Rev. Large letters S.C, text: III. VIR A. A. A. F. F.

College 11 (is RIC college 13) - 7 BC This college struck only copper quadrantes. (L.) Apronius was probably from northern Italy. In 8 AD he was consul suffectus for M. Furius Camillus. He took part in battles against the Chatti in 15 AD and in Africa in 18-21 AD for which he received the ornamenta triumphalia. His career ended when his son in law was accused of murdering his wife Apronia and because of his failure to defeat the Frisones in 34 AD.


Consul suffectus 8 AD Military command in Dalmatia 9 AD Legatus in Germania under Germanicus 15 AD Ornamenta triumphalia Participated in the trial against Libo Drusus 16 AD Proconsul Africae 18 - 21 AD Ornamenta triumphalia Son in law was accused of murdering his wife Apronia 24 AD Legatus Augusti pro praetore in Germania 28-34 AD Failed to defeat the Frisones 34 AD Quadrans of the Rome mint. Obv. Garlanted bowl shaped altar, text: APRONIVS MESSALA III VIR. Rev. Large letters S.C, text: GALVS SISENNA A A A F F. Sulpicius Galus was from Roman patrician stock. Nothing is known about his further career after the vigintivirat.


Quadrans of the Rome mint. Obv. Garlanted bowl shaped altar, text: GALVS SISENNA. III VIR. Rev. Large letters S C, text: MESSALA. APRONIVS. A. A. A. F. F.

(Valerius?) Messala It is not known which Messala this is. Maybe it is Marcus Valerius Messalla Messallinus, the son of the Roman famous orator Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus. Messala was a senator and consul in 3 BC together with Lucius Cornelius Lentulus who also was a moneyer in 12 BC. He suggested to Roman Emperor Tiberius an oath of allegiance should be sworn to him yearly. He also suggested two golden statues be placed in two temples, in celebration of Rome's foreign victories and in memory of Germanicus, which Tiberius rejected. Messala was governor (praepositus) of Illyricum, where he was involved in fighting Pannonian uprising (Great Illyrian Revolt). He married Roman emperor Augustus' niece Claudia Marcella Minor.10


Quadrans of the Rome mint. Obv. Garlanted bowl shaped altar, text: MESSALA. GALVS III VIR. Rev. Large letters S C, text: APRONIVS SISENNA A. A. A. F. F. [Cornelius] Sisenna could have been from a senatorial family but nothing about him is known for sure.


Quadrans of the Rome mint. Obv. Garlanted Altar, text: SISENNA APRONIVS III VIR. Rev. Large letter S.C, text: GALVS MESSALA A. A. A. F. F.

10 Wikipedia.

College 12 (is RIC college 14) - 6 BC This college struck only copper quadrantes. P. Betilienus Bassus was from Aletrium and was probably a new (self made) man (homo novus). Nothing is known about his further career after the vigintivirat.


Quadrans of the Rome mint. Obv. Large letters S.C, text: P. BETILIENVS. BASSVS. Rev. Garlanted bowl shaped altar, text: III. VIR. A. A. A. F. F. C. Naevius Capella Nothing is known about his further career after the vigintivirat.


Quadrans of the Rome mint. Obv. Large letters S.C, text: C. NAEVIVS. CAPELLA. Rev. Garlanted bowl shaped altar, text: III. VIR. A. A. A. F. F. C. Rubellius Blandus came from Tibur (Tivoli) and was the grandson of Rubellius Blandus. He was probably suffect consul from august-december in 18 AD. Probably he was also the proconsul of Cretae et Cyrenarum. In 33 he married Julia, daughter of Livilla and Julius Caesar Drusus and granddaughter of Emperor Tiberius.


Quaestor 1 AD Tribune 6 AD Praetor 11 AD Consul suffectus 18 AD Proconsul Cretae et Cyrenarum? Proconsul Africa 36 AD Died between 38 and 42 AD Quadrans of the Rome mint. Obv. Large letters S.C, text: C. RVBELLIVS. BLANDVS. Rev. Garlanted bowl shaped altar, text: III. VIR. A. A. A. F. F.

L. Valerius Catullus was a new (self made) man (homo novus) from Verona. His father was probably the poet Catull.


Quadrans of the Rome mint. Obv. Large letters S.C, text: L. VALERIVS CATVLVS. Rev. Garlanted bowl shaped altar, text: III. VIR. A. A. A. F. F.

College 13 ( is RIC college 11) - 5 BC This college struck copper (medallic?) dupondii and copper asses. The asses of this and the next college are chemically more related to the late Augustan asses of 10-12 AD rather than to the asses of the colleges 5 and 6. Because of this and the fact that the composition of the copper used for all the series of quadrantes is very similar, it could be possible that this college and the next were the last in line. P. Lurius Agrippa probably came from Reate and was from a relatively new senatorial family. Nothing is known about his further career after the vigintivirat.


As from the Rome mint. Obv. Head of Augustus to the right, text: CAESAR AVGVST PONT MAX TRIBVNIC POT. Rev. Large S.C surrounded by the text P. LVRIVS. AGRIPPA. III. VIR. A.A.A.F.F. M. Maecilius Tullus Nothing is known about his family or his further career after the vigintivirat.


As from the Rome mint. Obv. Head of Augustus to the right, text: CAESAR AVGVST PONT MAX TRIBVNIC POT. Rev. Large S.C surrounded by the text M. MAECILIVS. TVLLVS. III. VIR. A.A.A.F.F.

M. Salvius Otho was a new man and came from an old Etruscan family from Ferentium. He was a protégé of Livia, wife of Augustus trough whose favour he was admitted into the senate. His grandson was the later emperor Otho.


Preator As from the Rome mint. Obv. Head of Augustus to the left, text: CAESAR AVGVST PONT MAX TRIBVNIC POT. Rev. Large S.C surrounded by the text M. SALVIVS. OTHO. III. VIR. A.A.A.F.F.

College 14 (is RIC college 12) - 4 BC This college struck only copper asses. These issues were the last ones of the Rome mint and also the last ones with the names of the moneyers depicted on the coins. It was not until 10-12 AD that the Rome mint started to produce coins again. A. Licinius Nerva Silianus was probably a friend of Augustus. He was consul in 7 AD and probably also died in that year because he was replaced by the consul suffectus Lucilius Longus. He was the son of P. Silius [Nerva?], consul of the year 20 BC. His brother P. Silius was also moneyer (see college 10) and was consul suffectus in the year 3 AD.


Consul ordinaris 7 AD As from the Rome mint. Obv. Head of Augustus to the right, text: CAESAR AVGVST PONT MAX TRIBVNIC POT. Rev. Large SC surrounded by the text A. LICIN. NERVA. SILIAN. III. VIR. A.A.A.F.F. Sex. Nonius Quinctilianus was probably the son of Lucius Nonius Asprenas, the son of the consul suffectus of 36 BC. Nonius’ mother was called Quinctilia and was the sister of Publius Quinctilius Varus (who died in the battle of the Teutoburg forest). He was consul in 8 AD and proconsul of Asia in 16/17 AD. In 32 AD he was tribunus plebis and on the instigation of L. Caninius Gallus, also a former moneyer (see college 8), he proposed in the senate the addition of a new sibylline book. Because of this they came into conflict with Tiberius and it probably affected their careers.


Consul ordinaries 8 AD Proconsul Asiae 16/17? AD Tribunus Plebis 32 AD As from the Rome mint. Obv. Head of Augustus to the right, text: CAESAR AVGVST PONT MAX. TRIBVNIC. P - OT. Rev. Large SC surrounded by the text SEX. NONIVS. QVINCTILIAN III VIR A A A F F.

Volusus Lucius Valerius Potiti f. Messalla was from patrician stock. He was consul in 5 AD together with Cn Cornelius Cinna Magnus. He was proconsul of Asia in 11/12 AD but was accused of crimes against humanity and found guilty.


Consul ordinaris 5 AD Proconsul Asiae 11/12? AD As from the Rome mint. Obv. Head of Augustus to the right, text: CAESAR AVGVST PONT MAX TRIBVNIC - POT. Rev. Large SC surrounded by the text VOLVSVS. VALER. MESSAL. III. VIR. A.A.A.F.F. Literature: G.F. Carter/D.J. Frurip (1985), Discriminant Analysis of the Chemical Compositions and Physical Measurements of 245 Augustan Quadrantes. Archaeometry, 27, 1, 1985, pp. 117-126. G.F. CARTER (1995/96), The Chronology of Augustan Asses and Quadrantes Determined from Chemical Compositions. AJN, 7/8,1995/96, pp. 235-250. S. Hillebrand 2006: Der Vigintivirat: Prosopographische Untersuchungen für die Zeit von Augustus bis Domitian. Dissertation Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg. S. Klein/H.M. von Kaenel (2000): Metal Analysis and Numismatic Studies of Early Roman Imperial Bronze Coinage. Part 1: Chemical Characterisation of Copper Coins from Augustus to Claudius. Schweizerische Numismatische Rundschau 79, 2000, 53-106. Klein, S., Lahaye, Y., Brey, G. P. & von Kaenel, H.-M. (2004): The early Roman Imperial aes coinage II: Tracing the copper sources by lead- and copper-isotope analysis – copper coins of Augustus and Tiberius. Archaeometry 46/2, 2004. Images: All images used are with courtesy of the Classical Numismatic Group (CNG) unless otherwise stated.

The moneyers issues under Augustus

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