Julius Caesar, 49-44 BC. Denarius (Silver, 19 mm, 3.82 g, 7 h), P. Sepullius Macer. Rome, first half of March 44. CAESAR DICT PERPETVO Laureate head of Julius Caesar to right. Rev. P•SEPVLLIVS - [M]ACER Venus standing front, head lowered to left, holding Victory in her right hand and long scepter adorned with star in her left. Babelon (Julia) 49 and (Sepulia) 4. Crawford 480/11. RBW 1684. Sydenham 1072. An unusually well centered example. Somewhat softly struck and a few minor marks, otherwise, about very fine.


In early 44 BC, Julius Caesar declared himself dictator perpetuo - dictator for life - a bold move that granted him unprecedented political authority. His ambition was reflected in the minting of coins bearing his portrait, a practice traditionally associated with Greek and Eastern monarchies. These coins soon featured his newly acquired title alongside the image of Venus, the mythical ancestor of the gens Julia, on the reverse. This pairing portrayed Caesar as both master of men and favored by the gods. Yet, despite his political acumen, Caesar gravely underestimated the resentment among his fellow senators toward his shift toward monarchy. Within weeks of this coin’s minting, Caesar fell in a bloody conspiracy on 15 March, the infamous Ides of March.