Lot 2281

Description

Sex. Julius Caesar, (129 B.C.), silver denarius, Rome mint, (3.65 grams), obv. Roma helmeted head right, * below chin, anchor behind, rev. Venus Genetrix crowned by Cupid in biga to right, [ROMA] above, with SEX. IVLI below horses, CAISAR in exergue, (S.-, Cr.258/1, Syd.476). Even grey patina, nearly very fine and very rare.

Ex. Duke of Northumberland Collection, Sotheby's London, November 4, 1982 (lot 251). Smyth VIII/42. Less than 10 obverse dies was used for this coinage according to Crawford. The reverse type alludes to the descent of the Iulii from Venus by way of Aeneas and Ascanius-Julius. The anchor is linked to an ancestor's naval victory or more probably a reference to Aeneas arrival in Italy from overseas. This moneyer is the rarest issue in this period and rarely offered.