The Caesarians. Julius Caesar. Early 46 BC. AV Aureus (21mm, 7.92 g, 9h). Rome mint; A. Hirtius, praetor. Veiled female head (Vesta or Pietas?) right; C • CAESAR COS • TER around / Emblems of the augurate and pontificate: lituus, guttus, and securis; A HIRTIVS PR around from lower left. Crawford 466/1; Molinari 425 (D73/R281); CRI 56; Calicó 37b; Sydenham 1018; RBW 1634. A couple very light reverse marks, otherwise a very clean coin for the type. EF.
Aulus Hirtius, praetor at the time this coin was struck, was a close friend of both Cicero and Caesar, and had served as the latter’s legate in Gaul. He was consul in 43 BC, having been nominated by Caesar, and was sent along with Octavian and Pansa against Antony, who was besieging Decimus Brutus at Mutina. Hirtius defeated Antony but fell while leading the assault on his camp. Hirtius is credited with completing Caesar’s commentaries on the Gallic, Alexandrine, African, and Spanish wars.
