Ancient Roman Imperatorial - 46 BCE Julius Caesar, Ceres obverse AR Denarius NGC AU
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SKU
4681943009
It is with great pleasure that we at AUCM offer to the ancient collecting community a specimen from the reign of Julius Caesar: a 46 BC Julius Caesar "Ceres" AR Denarius, graded NGC AU. Such examples are treasured by enthusiasts of ancient Roman coinage. Denarius struck after April 46 BC at a North African mint, possibly Utica. Obverse: head of Ceres facing right, wearing wreath of grain ears. COS TERT, DICTI TER: Consul, Dictator for the Third Time. Reverse: Titles mentioned in Latin are PONT.MAX (Pontifex Maximus, chief high priest of the College of Pontiffs) and AVGVR (Augur, priest and official who practiced augury: interpreting the will of the gods by analyzing the flights of birds). Relics of the pontificate and augurate: simpulum, aspergillum, guttus, and lituus. 'M' to the right for 'munus': the duty or responsibility bestowed upon Julius Caesar. This coin was struck as political and cultural propaganda to promote Caesar among his men and Roman society. Attractive piece that is sharply struck with little toning. Crawford 467/1a. Syndenham 1023. RSC 4a. RBW 1637.
It is more than likely that this issue was minted to pay his legions after the successful battle of Thapsus, 6 April B.C. 46. It took place near Thapsus in modern day Tunisia. The republican forces of the Optimates were defeated by troops who were fiercely loyal to Julius Caesar. It was one of Caesar's trumpeters who sounded the battle charge. Caesar's archers attacked the elephants, resulting in them panicking and trampling to death their own men. However, the elephants on the left flank charged Caesar's center, where the Legio V Aluadae ("Fifth Legion of the Lark"), a battle-tested legion of the Roman Imperial army, was stationed. This legion met the charge of those magnificent beasts with such bravery that afterwards they wore an elephant as their symbol. Caesar's cavalry outsmarted the enemy, destroying the fortified camp, and forced the enemy into retreat. King Juba's combined troops abandoned the site and the outcome of the battle was determined. Caesar pursued his retreating enemies, causing the flight or death of many of the anti-caesarean Romans.
| Grading Service | NONE |
|---|---|
| Year of Issue | NONE |
| Grade | NONE |
| Ancient Year Range | 1st C. BC- 44 AD |
| Denom Type | N/A |
| Numeric Denomination | AR Denarius |
| Mint Location | NONE |
| Designation | NONE |
| Circ/UnCirc | Not Specified |
| Strike Type | N/A |
| Holder Variety | Strike 5/5; Surface 5/5 |
| Grade Add On | NONE |
| Holder Type | N/A |
