Nice bust, smooth reverse, large coin. This iconic coin was minted during the reign of Caesar Augustus; the very first Roman emperor who reigned during the time of Jesus’ birth and early life, and is the emperor mentioned in the Bible.

Caesar Augustus was born Gaius Octavian on September 23. 63BC. He was the founder of the Roman Empire and reigned from 27BC until 14AD when at his death he was succeeded by his adopted son, Tiberius. His reign began the “Pax Augusta” an unparalleled era of peace for Rome.

Augustus was a great nephew of Julius Caesar and named in Caesar’s will as his adopted son and heir. Along with Mark Antony and Marcus Lepidus he formed the Second Triumvirate that defeated Caesar’s assassins at the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC. They divided the empire in 3 ways and ruled as dictators. Lepidus was exiled in 36BC and Antony was defeated in 31BC and along with his wife Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, who both killed themselves. Egypt thus became another Roman province, and Augustus became the uncontested, and first, emperor of Rome. Guaranteed authentic by Poor Richard’s Certified Classics: ancient, medieval, and Biblical coins.