Iulia Traducta in Baetica
Located in the southern Iberian Peninsula, Baetica (roughly modern Andalusia) was one of the wealthiest and most Romanized provinces of Hispania.
 
Iulia Traducta was a colony or municipium associated with Julius Caesar’s and Augustus’s broader efforts to reorganize and integrate Hispania into the empire.
 
Permissu Caesaris Augusti
The obverse legend, PERM CAES AVG, indicates that this local coinage was produced “by permission of Caesar Augustus.”
 
During the early Principate, cities throughout the empire needed imperial authorization to strike their own bronze (or copper-alloy) coinage, ensuring both control and a semblance of local tradition.
 
Oak Wreath (Corona Civica)
The oak wreath was an important Roman symbol, often awarded for saving a citizen’s life, and also associated with the emperor’s role as a benefactor and protector.
On civic coins, the wreath often served a decorative function around city names or dedications, underscoring loyalty to Rome and Augustus.
 
Augustan Age & Baetica
Augustus reorganized Spain into provinces (Tarraconensis, Lusitania, and Baetica) following decades of civil war.
Baetica prospered thanks to agriculture (especially olives and wine) and trade along the Guadalquivir River and Mediterranean coast.
 
 
 
Conclusion
This Augustan bronze coin from Iulia Traducta represents a compelling blend of local autonomy and imperial approval, minted under the watchful gaze of Rome’s first emperor. Its obverse pays homage to Augustus as the source of authority, while the reverse proclaims the city’s name within a symbolic oak wreath. Despite centuries beneath Iberian soil, the coin endures, connecting modern collectors to a pivotal era in Roman Hispania.
(Exact prices can vary based on auction venue, provenance, and current collector demand.)
 
Your Coins Journey
 
Minting in Iulia Traducta (Early 1st Century BC–AD)
Fresh from the local workshop, this bronze coin displayed the regal image of Augustus and the proud name of the city. Town magistrates oversaw minting with formal consent from Rome, a boon reflecting both the city’s importance and the emperor’s favor.
 
Commerce and Daily Use
The coin likely circulated among merchants trading olive oil, fish sauce (garum), or local wines—staple products of Baetica. Artisans, farmers, and traders used it to pay taxes or purchase goods in local markets.
 
Traveling Through Hispania
Baetica’s fertile plains and busy port towns connected to the broader Mediterranean world. A merchant or traveling soldier could have carried it to neighboring colonies or even across the sea to North Africa, furthering imperial trade.
 
Rediscovered in Murcia, Spain
Centuries later, around the late 1800s, after changing hands countless times across medieval and early modern Europe, your coin arrived in the Spanish region of Murcia. Here it entered the prestigious collection of a wealthy Spanish nobleman, renowned for his passion for ancient history and numismatics. Carefully cataloged, it was gently placed into a leather satchel, nestled among other precious artifacts.
 
Forgotten Treasures
When the noble collector passed away, his meticulously assembled collection was sealed away, packed carefully in leather satchels and forgotten in the attic of his sprawling Murcia estate. Decades passed quietly, with generations unaware of the historical treasures that rested just above their heads.
 
A Chance Discovery
Then, one quiet afternoon, caretakers performing routine maintenance uncovered the forgotten leather satchels. Opening them revealed a breathtaking collection of ancient coins, each carefully documented by their original collector. Among these, your Augustus coin emerged once again—its imperial portrait still vivid, its ancient inscriptions speaking clearly across the centuries.
 
Preserved for Future Generations
Today, carefully cleaned and preserved, your coin continues its remarkable journey. Now safely housed in a protective display, accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, its story lives on. Each detail, from ancient Roman Empires to the Spanish estate, enriches its historical significance—transforming this bronze artifact into a tangible window into history itself.
Recovered Relics proudly guarantees its authenticity and carefully preserves this coin, allowing future generations to appreciate its extraordinary journey through time.
 
Collectibility & Rarity:
Bronze issues from provincial mints in Hispania can be less common than mass-produced imperial issues from Rome or Lugdunum.
Condition heavily influences desirability; well-centered strikes with readable legends often fetch higher values.