AUGUSTUS. 27 BC-14 AD. AR Denarius (3.88 gm). Struck circa 17 BC. Uncertain mint. 
CA-ES-AR, bare head right within oak wreath.
AVG-VST, candelabrum ornamented with rams' heads, within 
wreath entwined with bucrania and paterae. 

RIC I 540; BMCRE 684; BN 1013; RSC 2. EF, 
iridescent toning. Rare. ($2000) 

Cohen identified the youthful head on this coin as Caius, the
grandson and adoptive heir of Augustus; Mattingly, in RIC I 
(1st ed.), favoured a "rejuvenated" Augustus, a view supported 
by other cataloguers in recent years. David Sear returns to 
the original identification of Caius Caesar.
The features of the young head do not resemble earlier 
portraits of Octavian/Augustus, and the title CAESAR 
under the image seems to refer to the young heir, while the 
name AVGVSTVS is relegated to the reverse. Finally, the timing 
of the type, issued the year in which Caius' brother Lucius was 
born and their adoption by Augustus, favours an identification as Caius.

Triton V Sale, 16 Jan 2002, lot 1861.
Lot sold for $2200, plus buyers fees.
By permission of CNG, www.cngcoins.com.