Collecting the Coins of Augustus: The Emperor Who Created the Roman Empire

Collecting the Coins of Augustus
Emperor Profile · Collector's Guide

Collecting the Coins of Augustus: The Emperor Who Created the Roman Empire

63 BC–AD 14 · First Roman Emperor · From Republic to Empire

Roman Empire 27 BC–AD 14 Kinzer Coins

For many collectors, the coins of Augustus represent the beginning of the Roman Empire itself.

Few rulers shaped history more profoundly than Augustus. Born Gaius Octavius and later known as Octavian before taking the title Augustus, he transformed Rome from a republic torn apart by civil war into an empire that would dominate the Mediterranean world for centuries.

Collectors are often drawn to Augustus because his coinage sits at the crossroads of two worlds. His earliest coins still feel deeply Republican — military portraits, civil war propaganda, references to Julius Caesar. But later issues begin to establish the visual language of the Roman Empire itself: idealized imperial portraits, dynastic imagery, and themes of peace and stability under one ruler.

For many collectors, Augustus offers the perfect blend of Roman Republican and Imperial coinage.

Augustus and Coins

Ancient evidence suggests Augustus had a real appreciation for unusual and historic coins. According to the Roman historian Suetonius, Augustus sometimes gave old royal coins and foreign money as gifts during festivals and Saturnalia celebrations. While it would be inaccurate to describe him as a collector in the modern sense, this detail strongly suggests he appreciated coins beyond their everyday monetary use.

For modern collectors, that connection adds another fascinating layer: the first Roman emperor may have appreciated historic and unusual coins much like collectors do today.

Famous Coin Types of Augustus

Augustus produced some of the most iconic coin types in Roman numismatics. His reign was long and historically transformative, and his coinage reflects every stage of it.

Divus Julius Comet Coins
Among the most historically important in the Roman world. The comet appeared during games after Caesar's assassination and was interpreted as his ascension to the heavens — making Octavian the son of a god and Rome's destined ruler.
AEGVPTO CAPTA
Commemorates Rome's conquest of Egypt after the defeat of Mark Antony and Cleopatra. These coins mark the end of the Hellenistic Age and Augustus's final victory in the civil wars — one of the clearest numismatic markers of Rome becoming an empire.
Cistophoric Tetradrachms
Some of the most beautiful silver coins of Augustus, struck in Asia Minor with remarkably refined engraving. The sphinx types are especially sought after — large flans, exceptional artistry, and strong historical significance.
Spanish Mint Issues
Military portrait coins from Spain's frontier mints carry the atmosphere of Augustus's earlier, more martial reign. Distinctive early portrait styles and strong military connections make these highly popular with specialized collectors.
By promoting the divine status of Julius Caesar, Octavian could present himself as the son of a god, Caesar's rightful heir, and Rome's destined ruler. The Divus Julius coinage was not just a tribute — it was the most sophisticated propaganda program in Roman numismatic history. Holding one of these coins means holding one of the most intentional political objects ever minted.

Bronze and Silver Coinage of Augustus

Augustus issued a wide range of bronze and silver coinage across the Roman world. His bronze coins — As, Dupondius, Sestertius, Quadrans, and Semis — often feel transitional between Republican and Imperial Rome. Some still maintain traditional Republican styling, while others begin establishing the more formal imperial portrait system later emperors would follow.

His silver denarii range from dramatic civil war issues of Octavian to refined imperial portraits struck after peace was established. His quinarii are especially popular with specialized collectors because of their smaller size and interesting range of military and victory themes.

Bronze Coinage
Altars, military standards, religious imagery, dynastic themes, and portraits of members of the imperial family. Many examples remain attainable today, particularly in lower grades, making them excellent entry points into Augustan collecting.
Silver Denarii & Quinarii
Military victories, the restoration of peace, divine favor, Julius Caesar, dynastic imagery, and imperial authority. Because Augustus ruled so long and struck coins from multiple regions, collectors can pursue nearly endless variations.

Provincial Coins of Augustus

Provincial coinage opens the door to the wider Roman world. These coins were struck throughout the empire — in Spain, Asia Minor, Syria, Egypt, Greece, and the eastern Mediterranean — and often look very different from Rome-mint imperial issues.

They provide fascinating insight into how local populations viewed Augustus and Roman rule. Greek legends, local gods, city personifications, temples, and unique regional artistic traditions all appear on provincial coinage in ways that imperial mint coins never show.

Spanish mint issues preserve the military atmosphere of Augustus's earlier reign. Alexandrian coinage and eastern provincial silver offer affordable and historically rich collecting opportunities with a completely different aesthetic from Rome.

How to Collect Augustus Without Getting Overwhelmed

One of the biggest challenges with Augustus is the enormous number of coin types available. Because his reign was long and historically transformative, the variety can feel overwhelming for new collectors. Many experienced collectors recommend starting with a narrower focus.

Octavian Denarii
Focus only on civil war and transitional issues before Augustus fully established imperial rule — the most dramatic and historically charged period of his coinage
Spanish Mint Issues
Strong military connections and distinctive early portrait styles. A coherent sub-collection within a manageable scope
Quinarii
A smaller but highly interesting series that remains popular and manageable — excellent for collectors who want depth without breadth
Divus Julius Types
Focus on the propaganda and imagery tied to Julius Caesar's deification and Augustus's rise to power — historically the most important coins of his reign
Cistophoric Tetradrachms
A visually stunning area combining Greek artistry with Roman imperial history — the most immediately impressive silver coins of the early empire
Whether you collect bronze, silver, provincial issues, military coinage, or civil war propaganda, Augustus provides one of the richest and most rewarding areas in all of ancient numismatics. Historical importance, artistic variety, accessible entry points, and nearly endless room for specialization — few emperors offer all four.

Why Augustus's Coins Matter Today

Few rulers changed history more than Augustus. His coins document the collapse of the Roman Republic, the rise of imperial government, Rome's conquest of Egypt, dynastic propaganda, and the establishment of the Roman Empire itself.

More than 2,000 years later, collectors can still hold the coinage of the man who transformed Rome forever.

Hold what the greats held.

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