Lot 3645

Description

Julius Caesar, silver denarius, issued 47-46 B.C., African Mint, 3.73 grams, C.458/1, S.1013, BMC East 31, Sear Julius Caesar 12 (p.107), Obv. diademed head of Venus to r. dotted border, Rev. Aeneas walking to l., carrying Anchises and palladium. CAESAR to r. downwards, in dotted circle. Nearly very fine, very scarce, (44).

The bust on the obverse is that of Venus Genetrix to whom Caesar in 46 B.C. had dedicated a temple in the Forum Julium. The reverse refers to the Trojan mythical descent of the Julia gens from Iulus, the son of Aeneas. The type is associated with Caesar's African campaign of 47-6 B.C. culminating in the battle of Thapsus in which he overcame the Pompeian forces under Scipio. Venus Victrix was the watchword of the Caesarians at the battle of Pharsalus in 48 B.C., thus inspiring the choice of obverse type for this issue.