Coin (obverse), Denarius, of Caius Iulius Caesar

Add to album

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

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-100-078-686-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: 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
  Coin, denarius
  
• 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:
• Related Records: