Watch List notes:

The Collection of Roman Republican Coins of a Student and his Mentor Part III

Julius Caesar. Aureus, mint moving with Caesar in the East 48-47 BC, AV 8.03 g. CAESAR – DICT Axe and culullus. Rev. ITER Jug and lituus. All within laurel wreath. Babelon Julia 15. Bahrfeldt 18a. Biaggi 33. Sear Imperators 15. Calicó 43. RBW 1598. Crawford 456/1a.
Extremely rare and in exceptional condition for this important and
fascinating issue. Unusually well-struck and extremely fine
Ex Hirsch XXIV, 1909, Consul Weber, 700 and NFA XXII, 1989, Moretti, 9 sales.Caesar was in Greece and the East when this aureus was struck in the year beginning October, 48 B.C. Initially he was in Egypt sharing time with Cleopatra, then he moved through Syria and Asia Minor en route to wage a quick and successful war against Pharnaces II, king of the Bosporus. His victory over Pharnaces at Zela in August, 47 B.C. is likely the occasion represented on this coin by the wreath. Considering his recent campaign against Pompey and his long absence from Italy, a reminder that his authority was based in venerable Roman institutions might have been recommended at this stage of his rise to supremacy. The inscriptions describe him as having held the dictatorship for the second time and the designs indicate his role as chief priest (pontifex maximus) of the Romans and his membership in the college of augurs.