Lot 1177
Julius Caesar. Silver Denarius (4.19 g), 44 BC. Rome. M. Mettius, moneyer. IMPER CAESAR, wreathed head of Julius Caesar right. Rev. M METTIVS, Venus standing facing, head left, holding Victory and scepter, elbow arm on shield set on globe behind her; in left field, B. (Crawford 480/17; HCRI 101; Sydenham 1055; RSC 35). Well struck and well centered. Uniform light grey toning. Extremely fine. Estimate $12,500UP
Ex 51 Gallery.
This stunningly attractive Julius Caesar portrait denarius was struck to celebrate and advertise his preeminent position of power over the dying Roman Republic. Although the obverse legend naming him as Imperator has been treated as an additional cognomen or an indicator of a permanent right to command the army, Crawford argued that it reflected Caesar's status as a permanent triumphator. On the other hand, one wonders whether it could be connected to the incident of the Senate's extraordinary offer of the imperatorial title to Caesar as a praenomen, although it is clearly not used as a praenomen here. The reverse type depicting Venus Victrix resting her shield on the globe fairly reflects Julius Caesar's ambitions as dictator - to place the entirety of the Roman world under his rule as a member of the gens Julia and supposed descendant of Venus.
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