Octavian Augustus 18 BC Denarius RIC # 105b

Today, we’re diving into one of the most historically charged coins ever minted: the RIC I Augustus #105b denarius. Minted in 18 BC in Colonia Patricia, Hispania, this coin doesn’t just commemorate a victory. It tells the tale of a diplomatic masterstroke that reshaped Rome’s image & solidified Augustus as the ultimate statesman.
🏛️ Part I: The Coin Itself — A Numismatic Masterpiece
• Date: 18 BC
• Denomination: Denarius
• Mint: Colonia Patricia (modern-day Córdoba, Spain)
• Obverse: CAESARI AVGVSTO — the laureate head of Augustus, facing left.
• Reverse: MAR VLT — a hexastyle domed temple, with an aquila (eagle standard) flanked by two legionary standards inside.
This coin is more than just a currency — it’s propaganda in metal. The obverse glorifies Augustus, the man who brought peace to a fractured empire. The reverse? A tribute to Mars Ultor — Mars the Avenger — & the temple that housed the recovered standards lost decades earlier.
⚔️ Part II: The Shame of Crassus — Rome’s Bitter Defeat: To understand the coin, we need to rewind to 53 BC.
Marcus Licinius Crassus, one-third of the First Triumvirate alongside Julius Caesar & Pompey, led a disastrous campaign against the Parthian Empire. At the Battle of Carrhae, Crassus was defeated. Worse than the loss of life was the humiliation: the Parthians captured the legionary standards — the sacred symbols of Roman military pride.
These standards weren’t just flags. They were the soul of the legion. Losing them was like losing Rome’s honor.
& the Parthians knew it. They paraded the standards as trophies, a constant reminder of Rome’s vulnerability.
🩸 Part III: Antony’s Failures — More Blood, No Victory: Fast forward to 40 & 36 BC. Mark Antony, now in control of the eastern provinces, launched his own campaigns against the Parthians. The result? More Roman blood spilled. More prisoners taken. & still, no standards recovered. Rome’s eastern ambitions were in tatters. The Parthians remained untouchable. Until Augustus stepped in.
🧠 Part IV: Augustus — The Diplomatic Genius: Unlike Crassus & Antony, Augustus didn’t rely solely on military might. He understood the power of diplomacy, symbolism, & timing. In 20 BC, Augustus negotiated directly with the Parthian King Phraates IV. The result? A stunning diplomatic victory. The Parthians returned the lost standards & released Roman prisoners — without a single battle. This wasn’t just a win. It was a redemption arc for Rome.
& Augustus knew how to sell it.
🏛️ Part V: Mars Ultor — The Temple of Vengeance: To commemorate the return of the standards, Augustus built the Temple of Mars Ultor — Mars the Avenger — in the Forum of Augustus. Inside, the recovered standards were displayed like holy relics. The temple became a shrine to Roman pride, vengeance, & restored honor.
The coin’s reverse — showing the hexastyle temple with the aquila & standards — is a direct reference to this monument. It’s Augustus saying: “Rome has avenged its shame.”
💬 Part VI: The Triumph That Wasn’t: Here’s the twist: Augustus refused a traditional Triumph.
Why? Because he wanted to portray himself not as a warlord, but as a bringer of peace. Instead of riding through Rome in a chariot, he let the symbols do the talking. His Triumphal emblems were carried in the tensa — a ceremonial cart — & placed in the Temple of Mars Ultor. The coin immortalizes this moment. It’s subtle. It’s elegant. It’s pure Augustan propaganda.
🧾 Part VII: The Coin’s Journey — From Mint to Modern Collector: This particular specimen — RIC I Augustus #105b — was minted in Colonia Patricia, Hispania. That’s modern-day Córdoba, Spain. It’s uncirculated, with original luster & a banker’s mark on the obverse. Coins like this weren’t just used for trade. They were tools of influence. Every Roman who held this denarius was reminded of Augustus’ triumph — not through war, but through wisdom.
🧠 Part VIII: Why This Coin Matters Today: In a world obsessed with power & conquest, this coin tells a different story. It’s about redemption. It’s about diplomacy. It’s about the long game. Augustus didn’t just win a battle. He rewrote the narrative. & he did it with silver, stone, & strategy.
🎥 Part IX: Final Thoughts — The Legacy of Augustus: The RIC I Augustus #105b denarius is more than a collector’s item. It’s a microcosm of Roman history. It captures: The shame of Crassus - The failures of Antony - The brilliance of Augustus - The symbolism of Mars Ultor - The power of propaganda - Because in ancient Rome, every coin was a message. & this one? It’s a masterpiece. Thanks for watching. If you enjoyed this deep dive into Roman history & numismatics, hit that like button, subscribe, & let me know in the comments what coin you’d like to explore next. Until then — keep collecting, keep questioning & remember: history is always in your hands.