[1][2] The bust was first discovered in the 1889 excavations at the Via Merulana, within close proximity to the Santi Marcellino e Pietro al Laterano which served as filler for a medieval period wall.

[3][4][5] The crown of Augustus was considered a type of civic crown, commonly consisting of oak leaves, and is a classified as a military decoration given to Romans who save the lives of Roman citizens during warfare.

[3][4][6] Augustus is portrayed at the height of his glory, with a calm expression, and head slightly tilted to the right with closed lips.

A bust of a similar style is present in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, with a characteristic style called the "Forbes type", which maintains a motif of comma-shaped locks brushed to one side of the forehead.

These sculptures are classified by classical archaeologist Dietrich Boschung as a "third chronological type" of the emperor.