Ancient Roman Imperatorial - 49-48 BCE Julius Caesar, Elephant obverse AR Denarius NGC Choice XF

Produced by the military mint that traveled with Caesar, this silver issue was minted between April and August of 49 BCE. This was roughly the time that Julius Caesar and his forces crossed the Rubicon, which marked the advent of an extended time of Caesar's Civil War throughout ancient Rome. This warfare foreshadowed the collapse of the Roman Republic, which became the Roman Empire.

The obverse features an elephant facing right, crushing under its enormous foot a horned serpent with 'CAESAR' in exergue. The reverse carries the symbols of the Pontifex Maximus, the high priest of Rome. Caesar had been elected to that esteemed office in 63 BCE. The pontifical implements found on the reverse are ladle for use in sacrifices (simpulum), holy-water sprinkler (aspergillum), axe adorned with animal imagery (securis) and pontif's hat (apex). Such religious symbols served as a reminder of Caesar's declared relationship to the Roman gods. Rich, original multi-colored patina on the obverse, with gold and russet toning on the reverse.

The image of the elephant on the coins of Julius Caesar was very significant. Caesar had tamed elephants sent from Italy in order to calm his men and horses in preparation for warfare in North Africa.