![]() ![]() ![]() NOTE: Here’s a quick ride on the numismatic hamster wheel. Nonetheless, our type is the principal type, an icon of a coin, seldom seen in acceptable condition yet widely pursued regardless, the proven formula that drives supply and demand. Sear loses all reason in giving his 99 (480/2c) a separate number, as if it was a different coin, while he simultaneously takes all the Crawford numbers from 480/9 to 480/14, and groups all 6 coins together as one type at his 107 (hey, David, either approach will do, but pick a theme and stick to it). 480/2b and 480/2c (Sear 99) are variant die states of this same coin, the former with the obverse lituus curving right (rather than left), and the latter unintentionally omitting the line over Mettius’ name (exergue) on the reverse, both variations attributable to die makers whim, certainly not a reflection of intent, and probably limited to 1 or 2 obv. ![]() With the fait accompli in hand, and the army behind him, majority Senate indulgence was a formality, but more important, minority Senate contempt was a reality, and the case can be argued that the minority secretly supported the decision, as they imagined (at best) public outcry at this symbol of impending kingship, or (at the least) public sympathy with their growing scheme to assassinate Caesar (defend the republican ethos) once the murder had been actualized. Crawford, 1983, says (on page 94) “the Senate voted to place Caesar’s portrait on the coinage” though that may have happened upon Caesar’s suggestion, or even after it was already a fact, but Caesar was not bestowing upon the Senate, a new liberty, in respect to oversight, that they did not already possess legally. A scarce coin and though not the rarest Caesar portrait coin, it is among the most widely desired, minted in small numbers, without Senate enthusiasm for production of coinage with his own head (the Senate did not, in any case, have legal authority over silver coins). 480/2a (the primary variety with a lituus that curves left). “M METTIVS” in exergue, the first moneyer to mint a coin with Caesar’s portrait (Mettius was an old friend of Caesar’s having once been his ambassador to a chieftain in Gaul). Juno Sospita in galloping biga (chariot) on rev. The first coin to bear his head and the first denarius to bear the head of any living Roman. Wreathed head of Caesar (rt.), ornamented front and back. Octavian successfully paired his portrait with that of Caesar throughout this period advertising continually the strong links between himself and the deceased dictator, links which could not be surmounted, even by Antony.Ī perfect choice for Numismatists, Historians, Military Veterans, Collectors.Rome: 20, 44BCE. (Gaius Caesar, Dictator for Life, Pontifex Maximus). The obverse reads C CAESAR COS PONT AVG (Gaius Caesar, Consul, Pontifex, Augur) and the reverse C CAESAR DICT PERP PONT MAX. The similarity in portrait style is designed to closely link the men. Octavian chose a similar type to that of Antony, a double portrait coin. He first minted coinage in 43 BC during campaigns in Gaul (RRC 490/1-4). Octavian, as Caesar’s legal heir, could claim not only Caesar’s name but a familial bond and this becomes a common motif in his coinage throughout the Triumviral period. The death of Caesar brought his heir Octavian into direct opposition to Antony both presented themselves as Caesar’s political successor. It goes without saying you always get the exact item in the picture. This issue was hand struck in Plovdiv, Bulgaria (ancient Roman province Philippopolis). This issue was struck by Octavian after he became consul on 19 August. When the Senate refused, Octavian marched into Rome and organized consular elections. In the summer of 43 BC, following the battle of Mutina, Octavian demanded from the Senate one of the consulships recently left vacant by the deaths of Hirtius and Pansa. ![]()
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