Julius Caesar, 49-44 BC. Denarius (Silver, 19 mm, 3.91 g, 12 h), L. Flaminius Cilo, moneyer. Rome, August, 43. Wreathed head of Julius Caesar to right. Rev. L•FLAMINIVS - IIII•VIR Venus (or Pax) standing front, head lowered to left, holding caduceus in her right hand and long scepter in her left. Babelon (Julia) 44 and (Flaminia) 3. Crawford 485/1. CRI 113. RBW -. Sydenham 1089. An absolutely magnificent piece, perfectly centered and fresh, and with an exceptionally attractive portrait. Small banker's mark on the obverse, otherwise, extremely fine.




The moneyer, L. Flaminius Cilo, issued two pro-Caesarean coin types: one featuring an idealized portrait of Caesar, foreshadowing his apotheosis under Octavian’s direction on 1 January 42 BC; and another with Venus on the obverse and Victory driving a galloping biga on the reverse (Crawford 485/2). Despite their strong imagery, these issues did not ultimately advance Cilo’s career. He appears to have been proscribed by the triumviral government later that year, though the reasons remain unclear.

Cilo held the title of primus flavit, indicating he was the first among his college to strike coins and likely served as the monetary college’s superintendent that year. If so, his proscription might have been tied to the lackluster designs of his colleagues, whose less overtly pro-Caesarean types could have reflected poorly on him. As superintendent, he would have borne responsibility for the college’s entire output, including his peers’ issues as well as his own.