Octavian as Augustus, 27 BC – 14 AD. Divus Augustus. Sestertius 22-23, Æ 27.35 g. DIVVS AVGVSTVS – PATER Augustus, radiate, seated l., feet on stool, holding laurel branch and long sceptre; in front, altar. Rev. TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVST P M TR POT XXIIII round S C. C 309. BMC 74. RIC 49. CBN 50.
Rare and undoubtedly the finest specimen known. A finely-detailed portrait
of the deceased emperor of masterly style. A sublime untouched
dark green patina, good extremely fine

Ex NAC 7, 1994, 675; Superior 8-9 December, 1995, UBS 72, 2007, 207 and NAC 51, 2009, 162 sales. From the William James Conte collection

The main function of Tiberius’ dated aes of 22/23 was to publicize a new dynastic structure. With the death of Germanicus late in 18, the last Julian man of sufficient age and qualification had exited the political scene. Cautious of the public outcry that would result if he immediately proclaimed his own son, Drusus, his new successor, Tiberius bided his time, waiting nearly four years before he formulated what is sometimes called the ”Tiberian Dynasty”. As this series reveals, Tiberius made his announcement by mid-22, establishing a clear line of succession. As emperor and head of the Imperial domus, Tiberius assumed the leadership position, with the next in line being his son Drusus, whose toddler sons Tiberius Gemellus and Germanicus Gemellus represented the promise of a third generation. Divus Augustus was an integral part of this dynastic arrangement, for he was the divine forbearer from whom Tiberius derived his right to rule. Indeed, it was during Tiberius’ reign that we encounter the first use in inscriptions of the term Domus Divina, a phrase that implies that the deified status of Augustus extended to other Julio-Claudians. It has long been recognized that Augustus’ ‘Jovian’ seated figure reproduces the signum divo Augusto patri ad Theatrum Marcelli, a statue that Tacitus says that Livia erected near the theater of Marcellus in 22, the year this coinage began. It was a locus for the imperial cult and it was the site for the worship of Augustus before construction of the temple of divus Augustus was completed under Caligula. Tacitus describes how Livia had offended Tiberius by putting her name before his on the dedication, but she no doubt considered her role as Augustus’ consort and political partner for 52 years to be more important than Tiberius’ good fortune to be his adopted son and successor.