Berytos in Phoenicia, 12-14 AD., Roman colony, Augustus, Æ 22, RPC 4540.
Berytos in Phoenicia, as a Roman colony, emperor Augustus (27 BC. - 14 AD.), Silanus (Legatus Augusti pro praetore 13-17 AD.), struck 12-14 AD.,
Æ 22 (21-22 mm / 7,00 g), bronze, axes irregular alignment ↑↖ (ca. 320°),
Obv.: IMP CA[ESA] - R AVGV[STVS] , bare head of Augustus facing right; circular countermark on neck: prow left (Howgego 428).
Rev.: COL IVL , veiled figure plowing left with yoke of two oxen, holding reins in his left, whip in right hand.
RPC I, 650, 4540 (34 pieces listed) ; BMC 58, 52 ; for countermark; Howgego 187, 428 (6 listed, all on Augustus, at least one on this type) .
Quintus Caecilius Metellus Creticus Silanus, born Iunius Silanus was adopted by a descendant of the optimate Quintus Caecilius Metellus Creticus and the natural son of Marcus Junius Silanus. He was a Consul in 7 AD and governor of Syria from 13 AD to 17 AD. Silanus was socially connected with the then heir to the Roman principate Germanicus, his daughter at one time was betrothed to Germinicus' son Nero.