Lot 3246
Julius Caesar, as Dictator, 49-44 BC. Silver Denarius (3.94g). Military mint in northern Italy, 49 BC. Elephant advancing right, trampling horned serpent; CAESAR in exergue. Reverse: Pontifical implements: ladle (simpulum), sprinkler (aspergillum), axe (securis), and pontiff's cap (apex). Crawford 443/1. CRI 9. Sydenham 1006. RSC 49. Sharply struck in bright metal on an exceptionally broad flan, and fully lustrous. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimate Value $1,000 - 1,400
This was the first of Julius Caesar's coin types, struck shortly after he crossed the Rubicon in January of 49 BC. The symbolism of the obverse (if indeed it is the obverse) has been subject to some debate, but most probably the elephant represents Caesar and the serpent his political enemies. Alternatively, the "serpent" could be a carnyx, a Gallic war trumpet in the shape of a dragon, which would make the obverse symbolic of Caesar's recent victories in Gaul. The pontifical emblems on the reverse are easier to interpret, being a direct reference to his position of Pontifex Maximus, chief priest of the Roman state religion. The issue was immense, possibly as many as 22.5 million denarii, and certainly used to pay the soldiers of the legions loyal to Caesar, and to induce those backing his foes to switch sides. The suddenness and speed of Caesar's march down the Italian peninsula caught the Senate and their champion Pompey totally off-guard, forcing them to flee Rome in haste, leaving the state reserves of silver bullion still in place beneath the Temple of Saturn. This proved to be a fatal error and provided the specie from which Caesar struck his coinage and financed his successful campaign for supremacy.
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| Realized $2,220 |
