Slightly off center on both sides, very nice and strong details but showing a small amount of wear. I believe this to be from the African Mint around 47 BC. I also believe this to be somewhat scarce. Obv. A diademed bust of Venus facing to the right. Rev. Aeneas walking left with CAESAR to the right. Under Venus’s chin is a mark that I am not familiar with. It’s below the surface of the coin but it has a definite shape. It’s in the last photo, along with a gunmetal blue and rose color toning from 5-7 o’clock.
What a wonderful acquisition A JC coin referencing Homer's epic The Iliad and the founding of Rome. And that toning yowza! Coingrats Mine is a fourée given to me by my dad:
I've always liked that type but never owned one. Congrats. Julius Caesar (February-March 44 B.C) AR Denarius Lifetime Issue O: Wreathed head of Caesar right; CAESAR downward to right, DICT PERPETVO upward to left. R: Venus Victrix standing left, holding Victory in outstretched right hand and vertical scepter in left; L • BVC[A] downwards to right. L. Aemilius Buca, moneyer. Rome Mint 3.92g 17mm Crawford 480/8; Alföldi Type XIV, 62–3, 67, and 69 (A13/R22); CRI 105; Sydenham 1061; RSC 23; RBW 1683.
MIne is turning darker with tarnish every time I get out to hold it. I asked on this board if I should clean the tarnish, but everyone said to leave it as is.
Nice example of a desirable coin. Closest literary analog is Virgil’s Aeneid, book 2: the flight from Troy. I would like to think that Virgil was thinking of this denarius when writing his epic.
Here is mine and and it actually has a dark tone which isn't really apparent, I guess because of my lighting. 18.5 mm 3.76 g
A coin type I've always liked, a must have : good catch Julius Caesar, Denarius - North Africa c.47-46 BCE No legend, Diademed head of Venus right CAESAR, Aeneas left, bearing Anchises on his shoulder 3.91 gr Ref : HCRI # 55, RCV #1402, Cohen #12 Q
Nice one! I still need Caesar myself even though “technically” he was never an Emperor even if he was “Dictator en Perpetuo” (dictator for life) which is basically the same thing. Before I buy Caesar though I want to get Augustus. I have my eye on a really nice one with an interesting reverse and nice big flan but I probably will lose the auction for it.
Best wishes and go for it. The holidays are over, now the bills start rolling in. For me that means extra money as my bills are all paid off. Hopefully you can get one at a reasonable price.
