The Other Julius Caesar

This one arrived yesterday - a Roman Republic coin type that I've wanted for a few years now. I'll always remember seeing the most beautiful example in a John Jencek auction in 2014. I didn't bid on that one and still think about it with a small amount of regret (small only because I later discovered that @TIF had won it ). More recently, @Bing scored a solid example for a ridiculously good price, and that really spurred me to work at checking this off the ol' want list.

It has a few unobtrusive bankers' marks on the obverse and slight off-centering on the reverse, but the lovely golden highlights and a pair of excellent Cupids more than make up for it in my eyes.


ROMAN REPUBLIC
L. Julius L.f. Caesar
AR Denarius. 3.91g, 16.8mm. Rome mint, 103 BC. L. Julius L.f. Caesar, moneyer. Crawford 320/1; Sydenham 593. O: Helmeted head of Mars left; above visor, Q and pellet, and behind, CAESAR. R: Venus in biga of Cupids left; Q and pellet above, lyre below, L.IVLI.L.F in in exergue.

Lucius Julius Caesar was moneyer in 103 BC, and the issue he struck was the first coin bearing the name CAESAR. Though he failed to achieve quaestorship, he succeeded in being elected praetor in 94 BC, and was thereafter also proconsul of Macedonia. He served as consul in 90 BC, during the Social War, where he led an army to victory against the Samnites.

In 87 BC, during the Civil War between Gaius Marius and Sulla, Lucius Julius Caesar and his brother were killed by supporters of Marius while fighting in the streets of Rome, their severed heads then exhibited on the speaker's platform. His children were cousins of the great dictator, Gaius Julius Caesar, and, through his daughter Julia Antonia, he was the grandfather of the triumvir Mark Antony.

 

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Great coin @zumbly

I like the banker's mark. It does not interfere with any major devices and it adds character.

 

+1

 

that's a beaut z, i was however taken aback by the thread title and couldn't wait to get in here and see what that was

 

Thanks for the comments, folks.

Thanks for reminding me that I still need one of those as well!

Unsurprisingly, the Minucius Thermus was also issued in 103 BC. Using the same Mars head sure made it convenient for the die cutters that year, eh .

 

Mine may have been a good price, but it's not near as nice as this new coin of yours. Excellent example.

 

Wonderful addition @zumbly !
Now I need one too....

I you don't mind me asking @TIF, I would love to see your animated one again

Q

 

Wow, Z-- that was a fantastic score, especially for the price! You know I love the type


Roman Republic
moneyer L. Julius L. f. Caesar, 103 BC
AR denarius, 17mm, 3.9 gm
Obv: Helmeted head of Mars left; CAESAR; ・retrograde C above
Rev: Venus Genetrix in chariot left, drawn by two Cupids; lyre to left; ・retrograde C above
Ref: Crawford 320/1
ex RBW Collection

 

Thanks !

Q

 

Fantastic coin with a lot of eye appeal. Congrats!

 

oh man, those are great...nice Z. the cupid biga is the sweetest of the bigas. i kind of feel sorry for those little cupid dude though.

 

That GIF never gets old TIF!

 

Excellent. I don't know how you did but it is hilarious and very well done.

l don't know

 

I do not know what speed could be reached, being pulled by two winged cupids !

 

I suspect Venus Genetrix supplemented her efforts with a swish and flick of her wand while uttering "wingardium leviosa"

 

I suspect your two Cupids would out run my entry.