| Classical Numismatic Group > Triton XXVII | Auction date: 9 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 602 Price realized: 6,000 USD (Approx. 5,495 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: The Caesarians. Julius Caesar. April-August 49 BC. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.72 g, 3h). Military mint traveling with Caesar. Elephant advancing right, trampling on horned serpent; CAESAR in exergue / Emblems of the pontificate: simpulum, aspergillum, securis, and apex. Crawford 443/1; CRI 9; Sydenham 1006; RSC 49; BMCRR Gaul 27-30; Kestner 3515-8; RBW 1557. Attractive iridescent toning over lustrous surfaces, hairlines. Superb EF. Ex Thomas A. Palmer Collection, purchased from Jonathan Kern, July 1989. Julius Caesar and his armies assembled on the banks of the Rubicon River on 10 January 49 BC, ready to invade Italy. Since large quantities of denarii were necessary to pay Caesar's military expenses, the mint traveled with them. This issue was ordered, not by a moneyer, as was usual, but by Julius Caesar himself. The obverse clearly depicts the triumph of good over evil, numismatic propaganda designed to encourage Caesar's soldiers during the long, intense campaign. The reverse, depicting priestly emblems, tells of Caesar's office as Pontifex Maximus, high priest. In all likelihood, this type was used by Caesar's military forces at least until the decisive battle of Pharsalus. Estimate: 3000 USD |  |
