Caius Julius Caesar, silver denarius (Type I), 3.71 g.

Caius Julius Caesar, silver denarius (Type I), 3.71 g.

Caius Julius Caesar

c. 46 - 45 BCE

Obverse: Draped bust of Venus left, wearing diadem with star in hair; on shoulder, bust of Cupid; behind, scepter; [on left, lituus]. Border of dots.

Reverse: Trophy with oval shield and carnyx in right hand and oblong shield and carnyx in left hand; on left, kneeling bearded captive with hands tied behind back; on right, seated female captive, resting head on right hand; in exergue, [CAE]SAR. Border of dots.

Style/Period: Roman Republic

This coin of Julius Caesar was issued after his conquest of Gaul and his defeat of Pompey and his supporters at Munda. When he left part of his army in the conquered areas of Spain, he ensured that they were paid with this issue of coins. On the obverse is Venus Genetrix, his patron deity from whom he claimed descent and to whom he attributed his greatness and success. The reverse celebrates Caesar's triumphs. The trophy in the center follows the common practice of placing the vanquished foe's armor on a tall pole (see coin C035). The bearded captive resting beside the trophy could be Vercingeterix, the king who united the Gauls against Caesar, while the female could be Hispania. The arms next to the trophy are Gaulic and Spanish.
-- Bradford W. Wendel, LU '96

Bibliography: E. Babelon, Description historique et chronologique des monnaies de la republique romaine (Paris and London 1885-1886) Julia, 12; H. A. Grueber, Coins of the Roman Republic in the British Museum (London 1910), II, 368-369, no. 86; E. A. Sydenham, The Coinage of the Roman Republic (London 1952) 168, no. 1015; M. H. Crawford, Roman Republican Coinage (London 1974) 479, no. 468/2; R. A. G. Carson, Principal Coins of the Romans, I (London 1978) 62-63, no. 232; C. Foss, Roman Historical Coins (London 1990) 13, no. 6.

Classics Department Collection

C045

Wriston Art Center Galleries, Lawrence University, Appleton, WI,wriston-gallery@lawrence.edu,920-832-6890