Firstly I have to say I am shocked and so happy that this happened. The wife and I were out at a neighbors tonight and everyone kept asking why I was looking off into space at times. I am really in shock to be honest that this happened this afternoon. I was expecting to be blown away when bidding.... you have to pick a value and draw a line - and my pre-bid held. I am just numb - I can't believe it. Very unexpected - the stars just aligned at a time where I had a bit of a budget and the perfect coin (for me.. certainly not for many of you) came together. The right dealer auction - selling in Canadian dollars, not having to worry about shipping, customs, not eBay - 100% lifetime guarantee, etc.. made this something I just had to jump at. Well here it is: ITALY, THE TRIUMVIRS, Octavian and Divus Julius Caesar, 38 BC. AE (30mm, 16,21g, 3h). Bare head of Octavian right. DIVI F behind / Wreathed head of Divus Julius Caesar right; DIVOS IVLIVS. RRC 535/1; RPC I, 620. Good-Very Fine, red-green patina Firstly I am a fan of large bronze coins - I own quite a few sestertius - they are just so wonderful to hold in hand. So I had been looking at this issue for about a year.. but I really wanted one with "CAESAR" legible and bold .. and of course a nice portrait of the man himself. Every time I had seen one they went for way too much.. or the timing wasn't right for my budget! This portrait is awesome in my opinion. Quite a few times I almost settled for less .. but I held out (for once being sensible.. a rare thing for me). I am so glad as this one ended up only $80 more than one I was seriously considering .. and that one met none of my stated criteria (but for some reason I was tempted to end the search - just to add a JC). The pricing for this issue is all over the map... you'll see a barely recognizable version for $200 or a half decent one list at $1000.. this are the extremes - but this one came in at a nice number for it's grade. I am not saying I got a deal (but I think I did when you convert from Canadian dollars) - but I am saying I got my "forever" coin. I will not be looking to upgrade - ever. This is my JC. I am also apologizing in advance to all for a couple of reasons... -I am too excited to provide a proper write up on the history of this coin.. but that will follow in the weeks ahead... -You will see this darn coin posted twice a month for the next 20 years. Cheers!!! Please show your Julius Caesar coins or any "forever coin" you never plan on upgrading. Life is good.
I am so glad you got that coin, probably the best value in an overpriced auction most went unsold when I looked again at it a few hours ago, and thought to myself the only coin worth the money was the JC you bought, big congratulations you deserve it.
Nice, i saw that one + it seemed like the only coin in the auction that didn't have a starting bid that was 3 times too high..
A very nice catch, nice portraits, color and size. Such a nice addition deserves to be posted many times! Thrilling it must be to have that one added to your collection, after waiting a long time. Sometimes patience is for the best. Here is mine of JC. A portrait issue is on my want list, but its a bit too much modern coin for me for now.
Congratulations, @Clavdivs ! Your story of the Hunt is what really makes this Hobby! Well done, and such a great coin! That is a bug sized Caesar that will be unmistaken when you show it. Well done. Here is one of my Caesar, that I like to say he minted around the time of his struggling to cross the Rubicon: RR Julius Caesar AR Denarius 49 BCE Traveling Mint Elephant-Pontificates Sear 1399 Craw 443-1 (Copper surface deposit, probly from coin cache.)
Very splendid coin @Clavdivs . Nice catch in a very disappointing auction. Just like you I was excited to bid in a Canadian dealer auction. But the prices were not realistic at all. No wonder why about 90% of the lots were unsold in the « roman coin category ».
Wow, big time congrats to you, @Clavdivs!!! I too am a fan of AE, especially the big and chunky type, and you picked up a gem! I'm totally jealous now! I don't have a JC myself yet.
Oh yeah. I saw this posted here or Facebook or somewhere a week or so ago. Thanks for the link. Wow, a lot of unsold lots.
Congrats, @Clavdivs! I can see why you're thrilled with the acquisition. I can see it sitting pretty in that awesome refurbished coin cabinet of yours for years to come. My JC is one of those that comes to mind as a coin I never plan on upgrading. Just as well since I doubt I'd ever have the budget to. JULIUS CAESAR AR Denarius. 3.77g, 19mm. Rome mint, struck by L. Aemilius Buca, February - March 44 BC. Crawford 480/8; Sydenham 1061; RCV 1411. O: CAESAR DICT PERPETVO , wreathed head of Caesar facing right. R: L BVCA , Venus standing left, holding Victory and a sceptre. Ex David Sellwood Collection; ex Seaby Coin & Medal Bulletin (1 Oct 1977), lot 793
Nice catch, @Clavdivs! Congratulations! Here one of my JC. I have few, but I like this one, despite to be a fourrée, because the fantastic historical period and context involved: Julius Caesar. April 44 BC. Fourrée Denarius 19mm, 2.89 g. C. Cossutius Maridianus, moneyer. Laureate and veiled head right; apex behind, lituus before / Legend arranged in form of cross; A A A F • F in angles. For prototype: Crawford 480/19; CRI 112; Sydenham 1069; RSC 8.
Way to go! That certainly is something special! I recently purchased my first lifetime portrait coin of the real JC. Nothing to write home about but still very happy to have him: Julius Caesar P. Sepullius Macer - Venus Denarius,lifetime issue Feb-March 44 BC. Moneyer P. Sepullius Macer. Obv: CAESAR DICT PERPETVO legend with laureate and veiled head of Gaius Julius Caesar right. Rev: P SEPVLLIVS MACER legend with Venus standing left, holding Victory in right hand, and sceptre set on shield in left. 20mm, 3.18 grams. Crawford 480/13; Sydenham 1074; RSC 39; Sear 1414. Fine. Scarce. Ex-Savoca Augustus with Divus Julius Caesar (27 BC-14 AD) MACEDON. Thessalonica. Obv: ΘEOΣ. Wreathed head of Julius Caesar right; uncertain c/m on neck. Rev: ΘEΣΣAΛONIKEΩN. Bare head of Augustus right; Δ below. RPC I 1554. Fine. 12.3 g.21 mm. Former: Numismatik Naumann