Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Triton XXIV 19-20 Jan 2021
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The Caesarians. Julius Caesar. Late 47 BC. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.70 g, 1h). Sicilian mint, possibly Lilybaeum; Aulus Allienus, proconsular governor of Sicily. Draped bust of Venus right, wearing stephane; C • CAESAR downward to right, IMP • COS • ITER upward to left / Trinacrus standing left, foot on prow, holding triskeles with his right hand and resting right elbow on knee, cloak wrapped around his left arm; A • ALLIENVS downward to left, PRO COS upward to right. Crawford 457/1; CRI 54; RSC 1; Sydenham 1022; BMCRR Sicily 5; RBW 1599. Toned with some iridescence, a few light scratches, graffito 'k' in field on reverse. Near VF. Rare.
From the Peter J. Merani Collection. Ex CNG inventory 717919; Triton II (1 December 1998), lot 721; Münzen und Medaillen GmbH 2 (27 March 1998), lot 473.
Before embarking for North Africa from the Sicilian port of Lilybaeum, Caesar spent some time on the island organizing the invasion force with which he was going to confront Scipio and the other Pompeians. During this period (late 47 BC), a small issue of denarii was produced in Caesar's name by Aulus Allienus, who had been appointed proconsular governor of Sicily the preceding year. The issue – one of the rarest in the Caesarian series – was unusual in that it bore the name of one of the dictator's lieutenants in addition to his own name, a feature more characteristic of the Pompeian coinage.
From the Peter J. Merani Collection. Ex CNG inventory 717919; Triton II (1 December 1998), lot 721; Münzen und Medaillen GmbH 2 (27 March 1998), lot 473.
Before embarking for North Africa from the Sicilian port of Lilybaeum, Caesar spent some time on the island organizing the invasion force with which he was going to confront Scipio and the other Pompeians. During this period (late 47 BC), a small issue of denarii was produced in Caesar's name by Aulus Allienus, who had been appointed proconsular governor of Sicily the preceding year. The issue – one of the rarest in the Caesarian series – was unusual in that it bore the name of one of the dictator's lieutenants in addition to his own name, a feature more characteristic of the Pompeian coinage.