Nomos AG
obolos 2 14 June 2015
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Julius Caesar, Denarius (Silver, 20mm, 3.49 g 4), struck under the magistrate P. Sepullius Macer, January-February 44 BC. CAESAR IMP Laureate head of Julius Caesar to right; behind, star. Rev. P SEPVLLIVS MACER Venus standing left, holding Victory in her right hand and, in her left, scepter set on star. Alföldi Type V. Crawford 480/5b. Sydenham 1071. Rare. An attractive example with a clear reverse. A few minor scratches on the obverse, otherwise, very fine.
K. Kraft first noticed that the wreath worn by Caesar differs significantly from those laurel-wreaths found on earlier portrait types, as, for example, those of Venus. Therefore he suggested that it ought to be identified as the golden wreath, which was worn by Caesar at the Lupercalia in 44 BC; Crawford, however, thought that it was, rather, the corona aurea that he had been awarded as a triumphator. The same type of wreath had also been voted to Pompey; in any case it has no resemblance to the Etruscan wreaths that were cited by Kraft.
K. Kraft first noticed that the wreath worn by Caesar differs significantly from those laurel-wreaths found on earlier portrait types, as, for example, those of Venus. Therefore he suggested that it ought to be identified as the golden wreath, which was worn by Caesar at the Lupercalia in 44 BC; Crawford, however, thought that it was, rather, the corona aurea that he had been awarded as a triumphator. The same type of wreath had also been voted to Pompey; in any case it has no resemblance to the Etruscan wreaths that were cited by Kraft.