TYPE Roman Imperatorial, Octavian (42 - 27 BC), silver cistophoric tetradrachm of Ephesus, struck ca. 28 BC, 11.31g DESCRIPTION . Obv: Laureate head of Octavian to right, legend: IMP CAESAR DIVI F COS VI LIBERTATIS P R VINDEX Rev: PAX, Pax standing left holding caduceus, serpent arising from cista mystica to right, all within laurel wreath REFERENCE: RPC 2203, RSC 218, RIC 476 GRADING: AVF / F+, toned, scarce ORDER INFO: R2923, $390 Prized large silver issue of Octavian, associated with the period (30 - 27 BC) of "overhauling" the (just to be officially proclaimed) Empire, following the Battle of Actium and conclusion of civil wars. This included an ambitious and expensive "downsizing" of the Army, which this issue was partially meant to fund. The themes emphasized Octavian's successes and achievements, among which that of the newly established universal peace - personified here by Pax - naturally ranked highly.