Roman Silver & Bronze

Lot 2103    Session 7 (11.30am Thursday)    Roman Silver & Bronze

Estimate $1,500
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $2,000

JULIUS CAESAR, (assassinated 44 B.C.), silver denarius, Rome mint, struck 44 B.C., (4.020 grams), obv. CAESAR DICT PERPETVO around Caesar's laureate head to right, dotted border, rev. to left, L. BUCA, Venus seated to right, holding Victory and transverse sceptre, (S.1410 [£900 VF], Cr.480/7, Syd.1062, C. Julius Caesar 24), Slightly off centred on the obverse, otherwise nearly very fine with an attractive even grey tone and with an good portrait of Caesar, rare.

This coin represents an opportunity to acquire a good portrait of Julius Caesar issued in the year of his assassination. The year 44 B.C. marked a turning point in the history of the Roman coinage. Caesar as dictator ordered his effigy to be placed on the silver denarii struck by the four moneyers including Sepullius Macer. This was the first occurance 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. It soon become the practice for the appearance of more portraits of the triumvirs and other contenders for power and soon the emperors. This type with Venus on the reverse refers to the claim of the Julia gens to be descended from the goddess of love.