Julius Caesar, 49-44 BC. Aureus (Gold, 20 mm, 7.99 g, 12 h), with A. Hirtius, praetor, Rome, early 46. C•CAESAR COS TER Veiled female head (of Vesta or Pietas?) to right. Rev. A HIRTIVS PR Emblems of the augurate and pontificate: lituus, guttus, and securis. Babelon (Hirtia) 1 and (Julia) 22. Calicó 37. Crawford 466/1. CRI 56. RBW 1634-6. Sydenham 1018. An attractive example of this popular issue. Some minor marks and with very light deposits, otherwise, very fine.


Aulus Hirtius, a close friend of Julius Caesar with whom he campaigned in Gaul, served as consul in 43 BC, the year of his death from wounds sustained while besieging Mark Antony at Mutina. Hirtius was an enthusiastic writer on military topics. He contributed an eighth book to Caesar's De Bello Gallico and is widely believed to have authored De Bello Alexandrino. Additionally, some scholars speculate that Hirtius served as the editor, though not the author, of De Bello Africano and De Bello Hispaniensi.