Caesar's First Portrait

This is believed to be the first portrait issue of Julius Caesar, likely issued in early January 44 BC just a couple months before his assassination. A flagrant insult to Roman Republican traditions, the bust of a living Roman on a coin suggest that Caesar is a king. The legend is partly missing but reads "DICT QVART" or Dictator for the 4th time. In only about a month, that would be changed to DICT PERPETVO on his coins, Dictator forever. A slippery slope for sure.

It's a tough coin to find and never comes perfect. I likely won't ever have the chance to improve on this one. Feel free to post any Caesar portraits of yours.

Julius Caesar and M. Mettius. Denarius 44, AR (3.20g, 20.8mm, 1h). Wreathed head of Caesar r.; behind, CAESAR D[ICT] and lituus; before, QVART. Rev. Juno Sospita in galloping biga r. holding figure-of-eight shield in l. hand and brandishing spear in r. Below horses, M·METT[IVS]. Babelon Julia 31. C 36. Sydenham 1057. Sear Imperators 98. Crawford 480/2a. Alfoldi Type II (A5/R2) examples 17-18.

 

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Wow!

 

That is an outstanding example @Carthago. I'm more than jealous.

JULIUS CAESAR
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: CAESAR IMP, laureate head right, lituus & simpulum behind.
REVERSE: M METTIVS, Venus standing left with Victory & scepter, shield resting on globe; control letter G to left
Rome January-February 44 BC
3.81g, 18mm
RSC 34
ex. Andrew McCabe

 

That is stunning, Carthago!!!

After trying for a long time, I finally managed to pick up this one (Rome, February-March 44 BC. P. Sepullius Macer, moneyer. CAESAR DICT PERPETVO, laureate head of Caesar right / P SEPVLLIVS MACER, Venus Victrix standing left, holding Victory in outstretched right hand, left resting on vertical scepter set on shield):

 

What a fantastic score, Carthago!

 

That is close enough to perfect in my book.

 

Here are three:

 

Great coin @Carthago Congrats

 

Outstanding coin Carthago, congrats.

 

great portrets/ dupondius of sestertius 19.8 g

 

Incredible @Carthago ! Well done!

I just picked this one up last week!



Roman Imperiatoral
Caius Julius Caesar Lifetime
P Sepullius Macer
AR Den Jan-Mar 44 BCE
4.03g.
CAESAR – DICT PERPETVO Veiled -
Venus Victory sceptre star
Syd 1074a Sear Imperators 107e Craw 480/14
Scarce

My comments: Julius Caesar's 1st important office was Pontifex Maximus, and he held it much of his career. That is the piety of the Veiled Caesar being shown. His family is descended from Venus on reverse, Dictator for Life on obverse. This embodies him...

 

that is an excellent coin @Carthago. plus all you that have posted coins they are super!

 

Nice pick up Alegandron, I think the bottom pick looks the better of the two, seems to highlight detail better.

 

i concur

 

Thank you. I am not good at selecting photos...

 

\
copia

 

stop drinking lol

 

I don't see much room for improvement @Carthago
That's a freakin fine capture there.

 

Beautiful coins Big V. All 3 I still have yet to acquire.

A nicely balanced example, Alegandron. Both side with complete detail and the star at the bottom of the scepter which is scarcer that some of the other varieties of the issue.

 

Thank you. I spent some time contemplating this one.