Julius Caesar, 49-44 BC. Denarius (Silver, 19 mm, 3.58 g, 6 h), with P. Sepullius Macer. Rome, after January-February 44. CAESAR•IMP Wreathed head of Julius Caesar to right; behind, eight-pointed star. Rev. P•SEPVLLIVS - MACER Venus standing front, head lowered to left, holding Victory in her right hand and long scepter set on star in her left. Babelon (Julia) 46 and (Sepullia) 1. Crawford 480/5b. RBW 1679. Sydenham 1071. Lustrous, fresh and exceptionally well preserved, with a magnificent portrait. A few faint scratches and the reverse struck slightly off center, otherwise, good extremely fine.




This coin, showing a vigorous portrait of Julius Caesar, was struck during the beginning of the year before his assassination on 15 March 44 BC. One of the most shocking innovations Caesar had introduced in the Roman coinage was the use of his own portrait in the style of a Hellenistic monarch, the first time a living Roman had done so in Rome itself. This was a scandalous development to the Roman elite, and was one of many causes of his assassination. While Caesar's portrait continued to be used after his death, interestingly, rather than the contentious title of 'Dictator (in) Perpetuo' used right before his demise, the moneyers, M. Mettius and P. Sepullius Macer, opted for the more neutral 'Imperator', just as they had for this issue. This probably reflects a healthy amount of caution on the moneyers' part, who had to work during one of the most pivotal and politically dangerous periods of Roman history.