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Lansky Auction 3 5 Jan 2021
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Republic. C. Julius Caesar, with L. Flaminius Chilo. Rome. 43 BC. AR Denarius (3.49g, 6h). Crawford 485.1; Sydenham 1089. Old cabinet tone. With an outstanding portrait of the finest style, the work of a very skilled master-engraver. Insignificant countermarks and graffito on obverse, otherwise, choice extremely fine. From a private collection; former Vicomte Louis de Sartiges de Sourniac (1859-1924) collection, Ars Classica 1938 (18) lot 12; former Heinrich Georg Gutekunst (1833-1914) collection, Jacob Hirsch 1912 (31) lot 901
Few portraits of Julius Caesar are as well-executed as those on this issue of 43 BC by the moneyer Flaminius Chilo. It is obvious even to the untrained eye that special care was taken in the engraving of Caesar portrait. This must have involved considerable effort, especially since the earlier Caesar portraits of 44 BC often are of such poor quality. The demands that such an improvement in artistry would have placed on the engravers at the Rome mint likely were difficult to meet. For this reason, it is suspected that these denarii could not have been created until after Octavian had arrived in Rome late in the summer of 43 BC, and had secured his position.
Few portraits of Julius Caesar are as well-executed as those on this issue of 43 BC by the moneyer Flaminius Chilo. It is obvious even to the untrained eye that special care was taken in the engraving of Caesar portrait. This must have involved considerable effort, especially since the earlier Caesar portraits of 44 BC often are of such poor quality. The demands that such an improvement in artistry would have placed on the engravers at the Rome mint likely were difficult to meet. For this reason, it is suspected that these denarii could not have been created until after Octavian had arrived in Rome late in the summer of 43 BC, and had secured his position.