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Crawford 468/1, ROMAN IMPERATORIAL, Julius Caesar, AR Denarius
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Rome. The Imperators.
Julius Caesar, 49-44 BCE.
AR Denarius (4.03g; 19mm; 4h).
Spanish mint, 46-45 BCE.
Obverse: Diademed head of Venus Genetrix, facing right, wearing earing and necklace of pendants; Cupid on shoulder.
Reverse: Gallic captives, bound and seated under trophy of Gallic arms; CAESAR in exergue.
References: Crawford 468/1; Sydenham 1014; BMCRR (Spain) 89; Julia 11.
Provenance: Ex Inasta Auction 100 (24 Jun 2022) Lot 180; Varesi E-Live 2 (20 Sep 2020) lot 253; Busso Peus Auction 393 (31 Oct 2007) Lot 488; Numismatik Lanz Auction 42 (23 Nov 1987) Lot 399.
This was part of Caesar’s military mint output during the Spanish campaign against Pompey’s sons. The obverse depicts Venus Genetrix to whom Caesar dedicated a temple in Rome. The reverse, alluding to Caesar’s triumphs in Gaul, was perhaps directed toward his remaining veteran troops from the Gallic campaign. The male captive on right, with wild hair and pointed beard, bears some resemblance to the Gallic head depicted on Crawford 448/2a, which is often attributed as Vercingetorix but which Crawford thought was merely a typical male Gaul.
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