Octavian, 44-27 BC. Denarius (Silver, 20 mm, 3.69 g, 12 h), Brundisium or Rome, circa 32-29. Bare head of Octavian to right. Rev. [C]AESAR - DIVI•F Apollo seated right on rock, shield slung on his back, playing lyre. BMC 597. Cohen 61. RIC 257. Nicely toned. Bankers' marks on the obverse, otherwise, about very fine.
Prideaux reinterprets the reverse and identifies the figure not as Mercury but as Apollo. The god stands on the rock of Actium, having set aside his shield, and plays a standard lyre. Were the figure Mercury, the lyre would have to be the chelys type made from a tortoise shell, and his canonical attributes — such as the winged petasus, winged sandals, or a caduceus — would necessarily be present. The object often described as a petasus is, according to Prideaux, a shield shown in three-quarter view. The scene refers to the Battle of Actium (31 BC) and fits within a coherent propagandistic programme celebrating Octavian’s victory, arguing for a date shortly after Actium, c. 31–29 BC.