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Augustus (27 BC-AD 14), Denarius, 13 BC, Rome, in the name of C. Sulpicius Platorinus, bare head right, rev. bare head of Agrippa right, 3.83g (RIC 408; BMC 114; Sear 1726). A trifle off-centre and with bankers’ mark on cheek of Agrippa, otherwise good fine and toned, very rare (£900-1,200)

Marcus Agrippa (63-12 BC) was the lifelong friend of Augustus. A gifted military strategist, he remained largely responsible for Augustus’ rise to supremacy and was the architect of the victories over Sextus Pompey at Naulochus in 36 BC and over Mark Antony and Cleopatra at Actium in 31 BC. In the early years of Augustus’ reign he was seen as the most likely heir to the throne, a position cemented by his marriage to Augustus’ daughter Julia, by whom he had five children