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The augustalis was a gold coin produced by the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II beginning in 1231 at the Sicilian mints of Messina and Brindisi.
The obverse features the antique (not medieval) bust of the emperor wearing a laureate wreath and the reverse features an eagle. Stylistically the coin is inspired by the aurei of ancient Rome. The coin weighed about 5.24 grams, which is ¼ of a Sicilian gold ounce.
The name augustalis means literally "of the august one", referring to the coin's provenance from the Emperor himself, but also linking it with the Roman Emperor, who was commonly styled Augustus.
The term Augustalis was also used by the Romans for the following:
- the day of the Augustalia;
- those who led the first ranks of an army;
- certain magistrates in cities;
- all the officers of the Emperor's palace;
- a priest or pontiff, invested with the direction and superintendency of the games performed in honor of Augustus.
The Governor or Prefect of Egypt, in particular, was called Augustalis, or Praefectus Augustalis, as being first established by Augustus, after the defeat of Mark Anthony and Cleopatra. He resided in Alexandria.
With respect to the priests of this name: they were instituted by Tiberius, immediately after Augustus' death, as is observed by Tacitus, who assures us that they were priests. Several cities had six of these Augustales, whence they were called, Seviri Augustales.
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"Augustalis"