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Ancient Coin of the Day: A particularly significant coin today, as it is a denarius of Julius Caesar from 44 BC, bearing his own portrait - complete with laurel wreath - on the Obverse. #ACOTD #Caesar
Image: RRC 480/3 (State Coin Collection of Munich)
Image: RRC 480/3 (State Coin Collection of Munich)
A senatorial decree, likely from December 45 BC, had voted extraordinary honours upon Caesar, including the title of 'Father of his Country', a title which would be stamped on the coins: πατέρα τε αὐτὸν τῆς πατρίδος ἐπωνόμασαν καὶ ἐς τὰ νομίσματα ἐνεχάραξαν (Dio 44.4.4).
This marked something of a watershed moment in Caesar's coinage, with his own portrait now dominating the Obverse. Here the simple Legend CAESAR·IMP seems very secondary, as do the lituus and culullus placed behind the portrait.
Caesar appears to be all.
Caesar appears to be all.
It should be noted that the laurel wreath itself was also a senatorial honour that had been granted to him (Dio 43.43.1), though Suetonius (Divus Julius 45.3) notes that he constantly took advantage of it to cover up his baldness.
The Reverse of the coin shows Venus, holding Victory in right hand and resting left elbow on shield which in turn rests on globe. The messaging here is one of protection and blessing of Caesar, through his divine ancestor: a blessing which subsequently benefits Rome too.
In this respect, the Obverse dominated by a portrait of a ruler, the Reverse by a divine protector, this coinage of Caesar is very much informed by Hellenistic coin designs.
Image: Silver Tetradrachm of Ptolemy I, ca. 310-295 BC, ANS 1944.100.75659
Image: Silver Tetradrachm of Ptolemy I, ca. 310-295 BC, ANS 1944.100.75659
It also marked Caesar out as a 'de facto' sovereign, confirming the worst fears of his opponents, who within three months would assassinate him as a tyrant, producing their own coinage - ironically in this style - to publicise and propagandise the event.
