Gaius Julius Caesar

Gaius Julius Caesar

 

Obv.: CAESAR

Rev.: --

Mint: Military mint traveling with Caesar

Date: BC 54-51

Weight: 4.07g

 

Extremely fine condition with attractive toning

 

Crawford 443/1; HCRI 9; Sydenham 1006; RSC 49

 

 

 

Perhaps the most ubiquitous of Caesar’s denarii, this famous issue was struck at the time of his crossing of the Rubicon and the beginning of the long period of civil wars which resulted in the downfall of the Roman Republic. A few theories have been presented explaining the obverse type, the most established being that the elephant represents good and  the serpent evil, thus a message of the righteousness of Caesar’s cause. The reverse shows the symbols of Rome’s high priest, the Pontifex Maximus, Caesar having been elected to the office in 63 BC.

 

Ex: Soler y Llach Auction 85, 26.02.2015, lot 231