Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Auction 123 23-24 May 2023
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The Caesarians. Julius Caesar. Late 47 BC. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.88 g, 6h). Mint in Sicily (Lilybaeum?); Aulus Allienus, proconsular governor of Sicily. Diademed and draped bust of Venus right / Trinacrus standing left, foot on prow, holding triskeles and cloak, resting elbow on knee. Crawford 457/1; CRI 54; Sydenham 1022; RSC 1; RBW 1599. Toned, minor flan crack, banker's mark on obverse. Good VF. Well centered.
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.
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.