Lot 2097

Description

Republic, Julius Caesar, (assassinated 44 B.C.), silver denarius, Africa mint, issued 47-46 B.C., obv. diademed head of Venus to right, rev. Aeneas to left, carrying palladium in r. hand and Anchises on left shoulder on right CAESAR downwards, (S.355, Cr. 458/1, Syd. 1013). Slightly off centred, but a superb example of good style, good extremely fine, delightful dark but with traces of red and gold tone.

This important coinage was produced to defray the costs of Caesar's military operations against the pompeians in North africa. the campaign ended with the dictator's victory at Thapsus on April 6, 46 B.C.