Watch List notes:

ROMAN REPUBLIC. L. Caesius. AR Denarius (3.94 gms), Rome Mint, 112-11 B.C. NGC Ch AU★, Strike: 5/5 Surface: 5/5. Fine Style.
Cr-298/1; Syd-564; Caesia-1. Youthful draped bust of Apollo-Vejovis left, viewed from behind, wearing a taenia (headband) and with a cloak over his left shoulder, hurling a thunderbolt with right hand; ROMA monogram behind; Reverse; Two Lares Praestites seated right, each with grounded spear in left hand, dog standing between being pet on head by Lares on right, LA (ligate) on left, PRE (ligate) on right, L-CÆSI in exergue, head of Vulcan above, wearing his cap and with tongs behind him to right. Perfectly struck on a broad flan from high relief dies of exceptionally fine style, and quite sculptural in appearance. A fleur-de-coin and undoubtedly one of the finest, if not the finest, known of the type, this stunning specimen is worthy of its star and fine style designations on account of its resounding brilliance, excellent relief, chiseled nature of the portrait of Apollo-Vejovis, and delightful cabinet feel. A true connoisseur's coin that shall undoubtedly stand out in the next collection it enters.

There has been a great deal of debate about the figure depicted on the obverse of this coin; it is typically thought of as Vejovis (Veiovis), a Roman god of ancient Etruscan origins, and alternately as Apollo assimilated with Jupiter. Some have suggested the obverse monogram to be APV rather than ROMA, perhaps signifying "Apollon Vejovis." The Roman author Gellius notes that Vejovis was often equated with Apollo, on account of their similar appearance, and the figure may be a hybrid of the two. Vejovis was customarily depicted as a young man holding a bundle of arrows, pilum, or lightning bolts in his hand, and accompanied by a goat. His name may be connected with that of Jupiter (Jovis), but there is little agreement as to its meaning: he may be a "little Jupiter" or a "sinister Jupiter" or an "anti-Jupiter" (i.e., a chthonic, or underworld, god). On the reverse, the Lares Praestites, guardian spirits of the city of Rome, assume a protective function over the state. Vulcan, god of fire, metalworking, and the forge, likely appears here as the patron of the metal workers who produced this coin.

Ex: Nomos 3 (5/2011) Lot # 162 (@ ChF 13,000 hammer).

Ex: Numismatica Genevensis 5 (12/2008) Lot # 170.

Ex: Peus 366 (10/2000) Lot # 1180.

Ex: Numismatica Ars Classica 4 (1991) Lot # 198.

Estimate: $5000 - $10000