Lot 3376

Description

Republic, Julius Caesar, (assassinated 44 B.C.), denarius, Rome mint, struck 40 B.C., (3.564 grams), obv. DIVI IVLI before Caesar's laureate head to right, lituus behind, rev. Q VOCONIVS VITVLVS, bull calf walking to left, (S.1428(2), Cr.526/2, Syd.1132, BMC 4308). Porous surface from cleaning, bright, otherwise very fine and a good portrait of Caesar, a very rare variety of type.

This coin represents an opportunity to acquire a fine and detailed portrait of Julius Caesar issued as a posthumous coin shortly after his assassination. The year of his assassination was a turning point in the history of the Western world and Roman coinage. Caesar as dictator ordered his effigy to be placed on the silver denarii struck by the four moneyers. This became the first appearance of contemporary portraiture on the Roman coinage and it marked a major step towards the popular acceptance of the monarchical concept in the Roman State. Although the issue was cut short by Caesar's assassination on the Ides of March, other coins were struck bearing his portrait by the Caesarians for several years after 44 B.C. It soon become the practice for the appearance of more portraits of the triumvirs and other contenders for power and soon the emperors.