Artemide Aste s.r.l.
Auction LVI 23-24 Oct 2021
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Julius Caesar. AR Denarius, C. Cossutius Maridianus moneyer, 44 BC. Obv. PARENS PATRIAE - CAESAR. Veiled head right, wearing the Etruscan gold crown; to left, apex; to right. lituus. Rev. C. COSSVTIVS and MARIDIANVS. Crosswise; in the four corners A-A-A-F F (aere, argento, auro flando feriundo). Cr. 480/19; B. (Julia) 43. AR. 3.89 g. 19.50 mm. RR. Very rare. Sound metal, full weight and broad flan, unusual for issue. An outstanding impressive portrait. Minor cleaning marks and slightly rough surfaces, otherwise about EF.
This denarius is the most spectacular example of Caesar's vision for his own future as an autocrat: there is not the slightest allusion of the representations which were common with Greek rulers: no diadem and no mention of the word rex. He chooses the rather innocent title of parens patriae (parents of the fatherland) instead a title which was granted to Caesar at the time he was elected dictator perpetuus (dictator for an unlimited period). Caesar is not wearing a laurel wreath, as is often mistakenly quoted, but a crown composed by small golden leaves, as it is clearly seen on this specimen; this was the crown worn by Jupiter Capitolinus and by the dictator on the occasion of his triumphal march. Caesar's head is veiled to show his office as Pontifex Maximus. For the same reason we find the symbols of the two most important colleges of priests: on the left, the apex, a pointed leather cap, worn by the Flamines on duty, and on the right, the lituus, symbol of the oracle of the birds of which the Augurs were responsible for in Rome. But even by these careful tactics by Caesar, very strong opposition grew among the Senators who could foresee their influence and power diminishing. The assassination of Caesar was just a matter of time.
(Münzen & Medaillen 92, 2002, 8 note).
This denarius is the most spectacular example of Caesar's vision for his own future as an autocrat: there is not the slightest allusion of the representations which were common with Greek rulers: no diadem and no mention of the word rex. He chooses the rather innocent title of parens patriae (parents of the fatherland) instead a title which was granted to Caesar at the time he was elected dictator perpetuus (dictator for an unlimited period). Caesar is not wearing a laurel wreath, as is often mistakenly quoted, but a crown composed by small golden leaves, as it is clearly seen on this specimen; this was the crown worn by Jupiter Capitolinus and by the dictator on the occasion of his triumphal march. Caesar's head is veiled to show his office as Pontifex Maximus. For the same reason we find the symbols of the two most important colleges of priests: on the left, the apex, a pointed leather cap, worn by the Flamines on duty, and on the right, the lituus, symbol of the oracle of the birds of which the Augurs were responsible for in Rome. But even by these careful tactics by Caesar, very strong opposition grew among the Senators who could foresee their influence and power diminishing. The assassination of Caesar was just a matter of time.
(Münzen & Medaillen 92, 2002, 8 note).