VC137 Cilicia, Augusta. Julia (Livia), 1st Roman Empress. AE17. VERY RARE.

Description

The town of Augusta was founded in AD 20, named after Livia, the widow of Caesar Augustus. The ancient site was flooded with the construction of the Seyhan Dam in 1955, but archaeologists managed to survey a few features prior to the flooding: the foundations of a triumphal arch, two colonnaded streets crossing each other, a theater, a civic basilica, some shops, a bath building and a dam on the river.
Livia had been married to Tiberius Claudius Nero, but she divorced him and married Octavian. When the Senate granted Octavian the title Augustus in 27 BC, making him the first Roman emperor, Livia likewise became the first Roman empress. Caesar Augustus adopted her son Tiberius as his heir. She was the great grandmother of Caligula, grandmother of Claudius, and great-great grandmother of Nero. In AD 42, she was deified by Claudius.
This is a rare type – RPC lists only seven examples. I found twelve on acsearch.
CILICIA, Augusta.
Livia Drusilla, (Julia Augusta) 27 BC – AD 14.
AE17, 4.8g, 12h. Dated RY 11 (AD 30/1)
Obv: Diademed and draped bust of Livia right; bead and reel border, no legend.
Rx: AYGOY - STANON AI; Helmeted bust of Athena right, wearing aegis.
Ref.: SNG Levante 1242, RPC I 4011.