Heritage World Coin Auctions
ANA Signature Sale 3041 Sess. 4 13 August 2015
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Ancients
Julius Caesar, as Dictator (49-44 BC). AR denarius (20mm, 3.47 gm, 9h). Rome, lifetime issue of P. Sepullius Macer, moneyer, February-March 44 BC. CAESAR · IMP, laureate head of Caesar right; eight-pointed star behind / P · SEPVLLIVS [MACER], Venus Victrix standing left, holding Victory and scepter set on star. Crawford 480/5b. CRI 106a. RSC 41. With a fabulous portrait of the great Roman statesman, well struck on a round flan and gorgeously toned. NGC Choice XF 4/5 - 4/5, Fine Style.For two centuries, Rome had spurned the Hellenistic practice of placing the ruler's portrait on the coinage of the realm, much as they rejected the concept of kingship altogether. So early in 44 BC, many Romans must have been stunned to see the image of Julius Caesar, recently appointed dictator for an unprecedented third time, on circulating silver denarii. Like a profusion of other honors and titles, the right to place his image on coins had been bestowed on Caesar by the Roman Senate. Caesar's enemies may have had an ulterior motive in approving the honor, as it almost certainly would fuel the growing suspicion that Caesar intended to name himself king of Rome. If this was the intent, it succeeded, for within three months a conspiracy had been formed and Caesar was assassinated at a meeting of the Senate on March 15, 44 BC. This silver denarius carries a startlingly realistic portrait of Caesar on the obverse, displaying the ravages of age and exertion on his lined face and wrinkled neck, and the image of the dictator's patron goddess, Venus, on the reverse.
Estimate: 8000-10000 USD
Julius Caesar, as Dictator (49-44 BC). AR denarius (20mm, 3.47 gm, 9h). Rome, lifetime issue of P. Sepullius Macer, moneyer, February-March 44 BC. CAESAR · IMP, laureate head of Caesar right; eight-pointed star behind / P · SEPVLLIVS [MACER], Venus Victrix standing left, holding Victory and scepter set on star. Crawford 480/5b. CRI 106a. RSC 41. With a fabulous portrait of the great Roman statesman, well struck on a round flan and gorgeously toned. NGC Choice XF 4/5 - 4/5, Fine Style.For two centuries, Rome had spurned the Hellenistic practice of placing the ruler's portrait on the coinage of the realm, much as they rejected the concept of kingship altogether. So early in 44 BC, many Romans must have been stunned to see the image of Julius Caesar, recently appointed dictator for an unprecedented third time, on circulating silver denarii. Like a profusion of other honors and titles, the right to place his image on coins had been bestowed on Caesar by the Roman Senate. Caesar's enemies may have had an ulterior motive in approving the honor, as it almost certainly would fuel the growing suspicion that Caesar intended to name himself king of Rome. If this was the intent, it succeeded, for within three months a conspiracy had been formed and Caesar was assassinated at a meeting of the Senate on March 15, 44 BC. This silver denarius carries a startlingly realistic portrait of Caesar on the obverse, displaying the ravages of age and exertion on his lined face and wrinkled neck, and the image of the dictator's patron goddess, Venus, on the reverse.
Estimate: 8000-10000 USD