Lot 4349

Description

Julius Caesar, (assassinated 44 B.C.), silver denarius, issued 49-48 B.C., mint moving with Caesar, (3.84 g), obv. elephant to right, trampling on serpent, CAESAR in exergue, rev. pontifical emblems, simpulum, aspergillum, axe and apex, (S.1399, Cr.443/1, Syd.1006, RSC 49). Tight flan with minor banker's marks on obverse, attractive toning with golden highlights, good very fine and a sought after coin.

Julius Caesar and his armies assembled on the banks of the Rubicon River on 10 January 49 BC, ready to invade Italy. The Roman world would be shaken and transformed by the ensuing civil war. Since large quanities of denarii were necessary to pay Caesar's military expenses, the mint travelled with them. This issue was ordered, not by a moneyer, as was usual, but by Julius Caesar himself. The obverse clearly depicts the triumph of good over evil, numismatic propaganda designed to encourage Caesar's soldiers during the long, intense campaign. The reverse, depicting priestly emblems, tells of Caesar's office as Pontifex Maximus, high priest. In all likelihood, this type was used by Caesar's military forces at least until the decisive battle of Pharsalus. (text from CNG).