The Caesarians. Julius Caesar. January-February 44 BC. AR Denarius (18.5mm, 3.57 g, 10h). Lifetime issue. Rome mint; M. Mettius, moneyer. VF.

CNG Feature Auction 133
Lot: 515. Estimated: $ 1 500

Roman Republican, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 13 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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The Caesarians. Julius Caesar. January-February 44 BC. AR Denarius (18.5mm, 3.57 g, 10h). Lifetime issue. Rome mint; M. Mettius, moneyer. Laureate head right; lituus and simpulum to left / Venus Victrix standing left, holding Victory and scepter, resting her left elbow on shield set on celestial globe to right; control letter to left. Crawford 480/3; Alföldi Type III, 63-66, 76, 78-79 (A23/R30); CRI 100; Sydenham 1056; RSC 34; RBW –. Toned, bankers’ marks on obverse. VF.

From the Bem Jamin Collection.

Before 44 BC, Roman coin portraiture had been confined to various deities and historic figures of renown, these usually ancestors of the moneyers appointed each year to strike coins. The very few portraits of living Romans were reserved for coins minted and circulating outside of Italy. But early in 44 BC, the Senate granted Julius Caesar, recently appointed dictator for the fourth time, the honor of having his portrait placed on silver coinage struck in Rome. The break with tradition was sudden, startling and, as it turned out, enduring, for Caesar’s successors (and even his assassins!) soon adopted the practice. Shortly thereafter, Caesar was named Dictator Perpetuo, “Dictator in Perpetuity,” though Caesar would bear the title for only a month before his assassination on the Ides of March (15 March) 44 BC.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 133 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 15-16 September 2026.

CNG Feature Auction 133 – Session Two – Lot 309-594 will be held Tuesday morning, 15 September 2026 beginning at 2:00 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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