Elephant walking right, trampling snake/serpent; Caesar in exergue. Emblems of the Pontificate: simpulum, aspergillum, axe and apex (cap). 18mm 3.76 grams. In January of 49BC, Julius Caesar had made his famous crossing of the Rubicon. Into Italy, defying the orders of the Senate and confirming a civil war against his rival General, Pompey the Great. Most importantly, he needed vast sums of silver to pay his legions. Defying hundreds of years of Roman law, Julius Caesar barged his way. Into the State treasury at the Temple of Saturn in Rome, and stripped it of wealth. From this hoard, Caesar minted the Elephant denarius. It had a dual meaning. First, legend had it that the founder of Caesars family killed an elephant single-handedly. Second, Caesars rival Pompey had recently tried to enter Rome on a chariot drawn by 4 elephants, since the gate was too narrow, the entrance was a flop. This coin was a perfect opportunity for Caesar to promote his cause at the expense of Pompey. By October of 49BC, Caesar was appointed Dictator by Romes Senate and his victory was assured. The item “Julius Caesar NGC Ch VF 49-48 BC’Elephant & Implements Silver Denarius Coin” is in sale since Monday, March 16, 2020. This item is in the category “Coins\Coins\Ancient\Roman\Roman Republican (c.300-27 BC)”. The seller is “sdcoins67″ and is located in Manchester. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Provenance: Ownership History Available
- Civilisation: Roman
- Cleaned/ Uncleaned: Uncleaned
- Metal: Silver
- Denomination: Denarius
- Roman Period: Roman Republican (c.300 – 27 BC)