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Coin (obverse), Denarius, of Caius Iulius Caesar

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minted in Africa

Postcard of Coin (obverse), Denarius, of Caius Iulius Caesar.
000-100-078-686-C
© National Museums Scotland

Coin (obverse), Denarius, of Caius Iulius Caesar

This silver coin was minted in Africa by Caius Iulius (Julius) Caesar in 47 or 46 BC. It is a type called a denarius, the most common Roman silver coin. This picture shows the obverse of the coin.

The obverse depicts Venus, the goddess of beauty and fertility, wearing a diadem. Caesar claimed descent from Venus, tracing his ancestry from Iulus, the son of Aeneas (portrayed on the reverse), who was said to be the son of Aphrodite (Venus).

After the death of Pompey the Great in 48 BC, the struggle against Caesar passed to his sons Cnaeus Pompey and Sextus Pompey. Sextus Pompey, with 10 legions, controlled northern Africa. These forces were defeated by Caesar at Thapsus in 46 BC.


Record details

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Online ID: 000-100-078-686-C
Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
Project: 0098: National Museums Scotland
Project description | View all records in project
Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1976.748
Date: 47 - 46 BC
47 or 46 BC
Material: Silver. Inscription: Obv. Head of Venus r., wearing diadem / Rev. Aeneas l., carrying palladium in r. hand and Anchises on l. shoulder; on r., CAESAR downwards
Dimensions: 18.00 mm D / Die Axis: 4.5
What: Coin, denarius
Subject: Ancient Coin Collection
Who: Aeneas
Anchises
Venus
Where: Africa
Event:
Description: Silver denarius of the Roman Republic, Africa, 47 - 46 BC
References:
  • Crawford, M.H. Roman Republican Coinage. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1976. 
Translations:
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