Corduba in Hispania, 19 BC., Augustus, Denarius, cf. RIC 64a.
Corduba in Hispania (Colonia Patricia), Augustus, ca. 19 BC.,
Denarius (ø 18-19 mm / 3,65 g), silver, axes irregular alignment ↑↙ (ca. 220°),
Obv.: CAESAR - [AVGVST]VS , bare head of Augustus facing right.
Rev.: IOV - TO[N] , hexastyle temple of Jupiter Tonans on Roman Capitol hill, statue of Zeus standing l. within (by sculptor Leochares), r. holding thunderbolt and left leaning on sceptre.
BMC 363 ; RIC - (cf. 46, 64a, Aureus) ; RSC 179 ; Coh. 179 ; CBN 168, 1098.
very rare (?)
The Temple of Jupiter Tonans, the "thundering Jupiter", was dedicated on September 1, 22 BC. As Suetonius reports (Suetonius Aug. 29), the foundation dates back to the following event: During a campaign against the Cantabrians Augustus nearly was killed by lightning. In gratitude to his rescue, he vowed to build the temple, which was particularly richly endowed.
Der Tempel des Jupiter Tonans, des "donnernden Jupiter", wurde am 1. September 22 v. Chr. geweiht. Wie der römische Kaiserbiograph Sueton berichtet (Suet. Aug. 29), geht die Gründung auf folgendes Ereignis zurück: Während eines Feldzuges gegen die Kantabrer soll Augustus beinahe von einem Blitz erschlagen worden sein. Zum Dank an seine Rettung gelobte er den Bau des Tempels, der besonders reich ausgestattet war.