Julius Caesar (49-44 BC). Denomination : silver AR denarius. Weight: 3.65 grams. Die Axis : 8 h. Struck : 49 – 48 BC. Mint : Military mint moving with Caesar. Obverse : CAESAR, elephant walking right, trampling on horned serpent. Reverse : Priestly implements: simpulum, aspergillum, securis, and apex. Roman Republican Coinage (Crawford) 443/1; RBW Collection of Roman Republican Coins (RBW) 1557; History & Coinage of the Roman Imperators (Sear) 9; Roman Silver Coins (RSC) volume I 49. Grade / Comments : Fine, harshly cleaned, areas of weakness, and banker’s mark on obverse. From Sear’s Imperators reference.. This need was largely met by an unusually extensive issue of silver denarii of a single type. It must remain a matter for conjecture whether this coinage commenced in Gaul, as part of Caesar’s preparations for invasion, or whether it dates from his acquisition of bullion left behind in the public treasury by the panic-stricken Pompeians when they fled Rome. What does seem certain is that production of this type was kept separate from the regular issues of the Roman moneyers, thus emphasizing the extraordinary military nature of this coinage produced at a time of unprecedented crisis in the affairs of the Republic. It has already been noted that, unlike his rival, Caesar chose to take sole responsibility for the production of coinage despite the obvious unconstitutionality of so doing without possession of a qualifying magistracy and without official sanction from the Senate. Caesar saw this as no obstacle in this time of national crisis and did not hesitate to put into circulation silver denarii bearing nothing more than his own cognomen as the issuing authority. The types are also of interest and presumably, represent Caesar’s personal choice. The symbolism of the obverse can hardly be anything other than the triumph of good over evil, whilst the reverse alludes to Caesar’s possession of the office of pontifex maximus. It is difficult to assess how long this important type remained in issue, but in all probability it served the needs of the Caesarian forces right up to the time of the final campaign leading to the battle of Pharsalus. Contrary to most other authorities Crawford describes the elephant as the reverse type, though without explaining his reasons for so doing. Coins are guaranteed genuine for life. This item is in the category “Coins & Paper Money\Coins: Ancient\Roman: Republic (300 BC-27 BC)”. The seller is “witteric” and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada.
- Denomination: Denarius
- Composition: Silver
