Sesterce from Tarraco

Coined in the Tarraco mint in homage to the emperor Augustus during the reign of his successor, Tiberius. Augustus is shown wearing a crown of rays and on the obverse we can see an altar with a palm tree above it. This latter image had its origin in the miracle recounted by the rhetorician Quintilius, who told how a palm tree grew on the altar serving the cult of Augustus.

Obverse: DIVVS AVGVSTVS; head of Augustus with crown of rays, to the right.
Reverse: CV/TT; altar with a palm tree on it.

Inventory number: MNAT 23370