Augustus AR Denarius, Caesaraugusta, 19–18 BC, corona civica, RIC I2 33B

Augustus, Denarius, silver, reign 27 BC–AD 14; struck 19–18 BC at Caesaraugusta; 3.85 g, 19 mm. Obverse: anepigraphic; head of Augustus left, oak-wreathed (corona civica). Reverse: CAESAR above, AVGVSTVS below; laurel branches between the lines of legend. Struck at Caesaraugusta on a standard early Augustan denarius flan with clear types and complete reverse legend. Reference: RIC I2 Augustus 33B. This Iberian colonial issue marks the early development of Caesaraugusta (modern Zaragoza), founded by Augustus for veteran settlement after the Cantabrian Wars. The oak wreath on the portrait refers to the corona civica granted to Augustus by the Senate in 27 BC, while the laurel branches echo his triumphal honors and the laurels placed at his doorway in Rome. The coinage helped provision troops and veterans in Hispania and publicized Augustan authority in the newly organized province.