Crawford 480/06, ROMAN IMPERATORIAL, Julius Caesar, AR Denarius

Rome. The Imperators.
Julius Caesar and Lucius Aemilius Buca, 44 BCE.
AR Denarius (3.77g; 21mm).
Rome Mint, Feb-Mar 44 BCE.

Obverse: CAESAR DICT- PERPETVO; wreathed head of Julius Caesar facing right.

Reverse: Fasces and winged caduceus in saltire; axe, globe, clasped hands and L BVCA in angles.

References: Crawford 480/6; HCRI 103; Sydenham 1063; BMCRR 4157-9; Julia 37; Alföldi, Type XIII, Plate XCVIII, No. 78.

Provenance: Ex Goldberg Auction #104 (12 Jun 2018) Lot 3248.

Caesar was granted the title of Dictator for Life in mid-February, 44 BCE, thus all coins bearing DICT PERPETVO inscriptions can be firmly dated to the final month of Caesar’s life. This was a period of massive coinage output because Caesar was preparing for a campaign against the Parthians for which a substantial war chest would be needed. To meet the production needs, the college of moneyers was expanded from 3 to 4 moneyers. Nevertheless, manufacturing stress is evident by the frequent poor strikes and off-struck coins that survive today from these final Caesar portrait issues.

The moneyer Lucius Aemilius Buca may have been a relative of Sulla. He does not appear to have struck coins after Caesar’s assassination. With its symbolism, the reverse of this coin suggests Caesar’s growing grasp on religious, military and political power.