Ancient Rome - 19-18 BCE Augustus AR Denarius NGC Choice XF

This dramatic coin celebrates the negotiated return of military standards in the form of eagles, which the Parthians had taken from Crassus in 53 BC at the Battle of Carrhae. Augustus was born under the Zodiac sign of Capricorn, and believed strongly that all good fortune and happy events were a direct result of his astrological sign. Even the surrendering of those standards was attributed to his genethliacal constellation, or star upon which "his nativity was cast." The inscription SIGNIS RECEPTIS (Standards Accepted) appears upon this coin, as does a votive shield with CL. V (Clipeus Votivus)--Vow of the Shield--engraved upon it. Everything  about the reverse of this issue refers to the surrendering to Augustus of the standards the Parthians had seized from Crassus and his massacred legions. By negotiating their return, he had honored the memory of all of the men who died in the Battle of Carrhae.  This must have been among the proudest achievements of his life. For this he entered Rome on horseback, taking a well-deserved ovation from the masses of Roman citizens.